Between A Rock And A Hard Place

Naomi Major

Book Review: Between A Rock And A Hard Place

Aron Ralston writes a fabulous book about his accident in Blue John Canyon. The brave 

mountaineer takes us through his exhilarating experience in his autobiography Between A Rock And A Hard Place. His story became renowned world-wide in May of 2003.

Aron had been planning on going on an adventure full of biking, hiking and canyoneering in remote Moab, Utah. He was expecting an 8 hour trip, and he had been in this area many times before doing the same things. But he had made one mistake by not telling anyone where he was going and for how long. And that was okay until his arm was trapped beneath an 800 pond boulder. He was climbing down in a slot canyon. He had just stepped off of a huge boulder and, when he turned to get down, the boulder came down also. It bounced off his left arm and then made a final resting spot between Aron’s right arm and the two canyon walls.

Aron remained stuck in the desert canyon near Moab, Utah for five days with very limited supplies.  All he had with him were, “two small bean burritos, about five hundred calories total. In the outside mesh pouch, I have my CD player, CDs, extra AA batteries, mini video camcorder. My multi-use tool and three-LED headlamp are also in the pouch (pg. 28).” And only twenty-two ounces of water left.

It had been twenty-four hours and his arm was pretty well gone and there was very slim chance that he would get it back if he did get out. At this point he decided to film himself just in case he doesn’t make it out alive and therefore someone can watch the tape and learn about what happened.

He takes us through his entire story of survival. From first meeting the girls, to getting his hand stuck between the boulder and the canyon wall, to cutting off his own arm, and finally escaping the deadly canyon with blood still dripping through his tourniquet.

It all started in 1987 when he moved to Colorado with his family from Ohio and acquired a love for the outdoors. In 2002, Aron, a 27 year old mechanical engineer knew life had more to it than a cubicle at Intel. So he quit his job and started a life of adventure. He moved from his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico to start a new life in Aspen, Colorado which is the epicenter for his addiction to the outdoors.

This book switches off between being stuck in Blue John Canyon and previous adventures and stories. Including, his near death experience of drowning in the Colorado River, being chased by a bear, and his dream to solo every Colorado fourteener in the winter. His book is very detailed and he makes you feel worried for him in some situations. But more than that you are asking yourself how he could get himself into situations like that.

Between A Rock And A Hard Place takes us through his life of hard times, good times, accidents, and successes. His story is truly inspiring. Time is well spent by reading this book.