Topic awaiting preservation: What to do if trapped when mountaineering

pretty drastic sesolution to being stuck under a 200lb boulder when climbing, i wonder if it was a swiss arm(y) knife sorry for the terrible pun couldnt resist it

quote:-"Ralston was described by authorities as an avid outdoorsman in exceptional physical condition"........

ooops ..not any more

Well, he certainly didn't have much common sense...he should get a Darwin award...

If you are going to go out into the wilderness alone, or do something risky (like mountain climbing) then inform somebody about it...so, in the case you don't return in the stated time-frame, someone will know, and alert the authorities.

However, I do have to say that it was a pretty gutsy thing to do...just too bad he didn't wait a little longer...

200 lbs? Wierd position and all that isn't really all that heavy... maybe he wasn't in as 'exeptional physical condition' as they say...

And you're right, WS. That's Rule #1 for any adventurous outdoor excursion.

GrythusDraconis
"I'm sick of hearing that beauty is only skin-deep. That's deep enough. Who wants an adorable pancreas?" - Unknown

see, that's what I was thinking- this guy even rappels down from the rock with one hand left and dying of starvation and thirst, and he couldn't kick over a 200-pound rock?

seems one hand didn't know what the other hand was doing...


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If I was faced with a choice of cutting off my own arm, or making every possible effort to remove a 200 lb boulder, I'd probably end up dislocating something in the process of pushing that rock off me!

I don't think I'd have the stomach to amputate my own arm... But I'm pretty sure I could manage to get that rock off, given enough effort!

I wonder if he actually took the time to think that through - or perhaps they are underestimating the size of the rock?



Bodhi - Cell 617

If only he had known that his model of Swiss Arm(y) knife (I liked that Tom) had a self detonation sequence that could've blow that rock in half.

Swap toothpick and tweezers, turn compass to the left until you hear it click. Turn to the right as many clicks as second you want. DUCK AND RUN!!!

GrythusDraconis
"I'm sick of hearing that beauty is only skin-deep. That's deep enough. Who wants an adorable pancreas?" - Unknown

Come on people, we obviously don't have a very detailed picture of what the situation was. I can think of many positions that would make moving a 200lb rock impossible. As a matter of fact, I can't picture moving much of anything other than myself on a climb of 5.6 or above.......

I'm also relatively sure that this fellow examined all other possiblities before he began to cut. The will to survive is an amazing thing. Try to imagine having to make that kind of choice yourself.

well, i just saw on the local news...that it was a 1000 lb boulder.

__________________________
Cell 1007::SST

quote:

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I wonder if he actually took the time to think that through...

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And from the bold print at the top of the article...

quote:

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five days after becoming pinned by a boulder

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Yeah, he might have thought it through a bit.

:::krets.net:::

I had to step back a take a little breathing room before posting to this thread again, because I have more than a little bit of an emotional investment in the general subject. So please bear with me.....

I know quite a bit about this man, even though we have never met. I know things about him because of common interests, and experiences.

In Jan. 2001, while on the 3rd pitch of an ice climb in the Alaska Range, I took a lead fall that shattered my right leg, and changed my life forever. After a few months in the hospital, a few more in a wheelchair, over 30 surgeries, and two years on and off of weight-bearing, I have managed to keep the leg but it will never be completely functional. So, have some familiarity with both mountaineering an climbing accidents.

This said, there are a few comments I would like to address:

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"quote:-"Ralston was described by authorities as an avid outdoorsman in exceptional physical condition"........
ooops ..not any more"
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avid outdoorsman-

Anyone who has ever experienced a sunrise from the summit of a remote peak, anyone who has gazed out over a seemingly endless sea of mountain tops, anyone who has lost their false sense of self-importance while traveling across rivers of ice that are thousands of years old.... anyone who has experienced moments like these, defining moments, has a love and appreciation for the beautiful world that surrounds us that is beyond words. And this person will carry that love forever. It does not leave.

.....in exceptional physical condition-

Of course this man is not in great shape right after a severe trauma. But because of the way he has approached life in the past, because he is no stranger to facing and overcoming challenges, and because, if he is like most climbers, he is no stranger to living life with passion, I bet he will be in excellent physical condition again soon. Sure he will be missing an arm, but never doubt this- A handicapped athlete is still an athlete.

I have spent the last 2 years, in between surgeries, training. Training my now altered body in the gym, and training my mind, both in and out of the classroom. The skills and traits that were developed from climbing: determination, adaptability, planning, an so many others, have played a big part in my rehabilitation. I will never walk normally again, but this body does things that are far beyond the reach of many non-handicapped people.

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"he certainly didn't have much common sense...he should get a Darwin award..."
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We all take risks, we all live life on our own terms. Each of us decides what it is an acceptable risk and act accordingly. We all occasionally make mistakes in judgement....and sometimes things just happen.


My heart goes out to Aron Ralston, I know some of the challenges he will face, both physical and emotional. I also have confidence in his ability to deal with them.

More power to ya , norm.
You, too Aron.

These things take a courage and strength of will few will ever comprehend.

Yes Norm, I know all this...I lived in the wilderness for a year...

So, to anybody that has enjoyed Mother Nature, you will also know, that Mother nature knows no mercy, and shows no favoritism. Rule # 1, always inform someone before going alone into the wilderness...always.

So many have ignored this rule, and paid a bitter price...most times, the highest price. Though I personally feel for the guy, it's his own damned fault...he should have informed someone. He personally chose to put himself into risk...and this time, he lost. He should consider himself lucky, that he didn't pay the ultimate price.

Well, I hear the boulder is getting its due.

Rumor has it it's being charged with arm robbery.

I hear that the judge is adding on a few years to the boulder's sentence for assulting an unarmed man.

Pah mine was better

insider - you heard wrong.

the judge allowed to rock to post bail, and simply told him to stay our of 'arms way.

I also hear that......
When the police caught up with the boulder....it refused to put it's arm(s) up.

Thank you, binary, for demonstrating just how difficult comedy can be.

^^

You shouldn't quit your day job either Wes.

:::krets.net:::

At least mine made some sort of sense.

well, i think this guy really knows what it's like to be caught between a rock and a hard place.

quote:

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What to do if trapped when mountaineering

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Tell these jokes ^^^ to yourself before you start cutting so you don't feel the pain.

GrythusDraconis
"I'm sick of hearing that beauty is only skin-deep. That's deep enough. Who wants an adorable pancreas?" - Unknown

Just read that a group of rangers have recovered what was left of his lower limb. I hope they give it back, you can never tell.... it may come in hand-y.

one thing's for sure - if they return the limb, he will definitely applaud their efforts.

Ahhh.. ^ The sound of one hand clapping.

NoJive..was that meant to be a joke...u and Wes should hook up

I believe so was NoJive's.

*Never* climb alone. That being said, what an incredible will to live this guy had. Unbelievable.

Bugs!!

*psst Run! they're looking for you!!*


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that reminds me - some people i was talking to thought that I was the guy who was caught under the rock - how ridiculous!

i exclaimed: "It wasn't me - it was the one armed man!"

I find myself in need of a :smileyrolleyes: slimey.