Book Review: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston

Imagine being stranded alone in a remote desert canyon for 6 days with limited water, little food and no cold-weather gear. Sound unnerving? Now imagine the same scenario, except with one more obstacle: your arm has been ensnared by a boulder, leaving you trapped and in a very serious predicament. This is exactly what happened to 27- year old mountaineer, Aron Ralston, in April 2003. Between a Rock and a Hard Place provides a first-hand, detailed account of the living hell this author experienced in that week and the drastic action he was forced to take to save himself.

Although this book was published 3 years ago, it took me that long to discover it. Once I did - I read it voraciously. I found myself reading it at home and at work and politely declining social invitations because I had a date with Aron. Be warned: this book could run your life for 2 whole days!

As an outdoor enthusiast and wannabe climber, I can relate to Aron’s choice of isolated Blue Johns Canyon in Canyonlands National Park, Utah. It is a gorgeous park with amazing scenery and terrain for all levels of rock climbers, canyoneers and mountain bikers. Unfortunately, I can also relate to his ignorance of Hiking Rule #1: always tell someone where you are going. Lucky for me, I was never harmed as a result of the violation. I can further relate to some of the foolish decisions he made throughout his life (which repeatedly brought him a little too close to the edge). Just like Icarus tempted the sun, Aron tempted destiny, and on that dreaded spring day, fate decided to take control.

The book tells of Aron's venture into the park and his unfortunate landing on a loose boulder. The heavy stone went rolling, causing Aron to fall and end up with his right arm pinned between the boulder and the canyon wall. It relives the agonizing six days he spent trying to free himself from the weight of the boulder and the amputation he finally performed on his arm to get free - with just a measly multi-tool as his sole surgical instrument. If that isn’t incredible enough, Aron then made a 150 foot rappel out of the canyon (one-handed and in shock) and hiked 8 miles to safety! His epic story is interlaced with vignettes of past near-death experiences involving rivers, icy mountains and avalanches. Oh, and did I mention that with no access to water, he had to drink his own urine? I am stowing that away for future survival usage.

It is a story of bravery and determination; idiocy and ego. But as Alexander Pope said, “To err is human…”, and that is why everyone should read this book. Whether it is in the wild or in the office, at home or out on the town, we have all made mistakes. Some more severe than others (especially in this case)! Some of us have escaped responsibility, others have not - even the experts muck up. When they do, sometimes they can make a pretty penny by writing books about it, becoming inspirational speakers, or starring in beer commercials. Apparently, Miller Lite doesn’t think it gets more manly than cutting off your own appendage!