BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE BY ARON RALSTON

BACKGROUND: SETTING

• Trip with his friends was cancelled
• Decided to go into canyons in Utah: Blue John Canyon
• Goal: finish his new trip in under 24 hours
• Quick trip--> decided not to inform anyone

ARON RALSTON

• Recently moved to Aspen, Colorado
• Pursue a life of climbing mountains
• Canyoning
• Fascination with mountains

CAUSES & EFFECTS

• Recently postponed a trip
• Not overly cautious
• Loose chockstone: breaks
• Doesn't react in time

REALIZATION

• Freaks out
• Curses and panic settles in
• Attempts to free right hand
• Wrist now wedged
• No circulation beyond wrist

DAYS 1-3

• Attempts every option for escape
• Makes superficial cuts on forearm
• Dull blade
• Rations his food and water

DAY 4 & 5

• Started to make small cuts along arm
• Ran out of water
• Fears the worst
• Recorded his goodbyes
• Marked chockstone with "date of death"

THE NEXT MORNING

• May 1, 2003
• Startled that he made it through the night
• Epiphany: break radius and ulna
• Rappel down sixty-five feet
• Eight mile trek to car

ELEMENT: TONE

• Self-denial: struggle and irrationality
• Sacrifice: reality of situation

QUOTE 1

• It's me. I chose this. I chose all of this — this rock has been waiting for me my entire life.
• I've been moving towards it my whole life.
• Reflection
• His ultimate decision

QUOTE 2

• Indeed, it has affirmed my belief that our purpose as spiritual beings is to...
• Follow our bliss, seek our passions, and live our lives as inspirations to each other.
• Views struggle as a life lesson
• Perseverance
• Knew of risks

OPINION

• Graphic
• Can picture every moment
• Puts life in perspective

RECOMMENDATION

• Pro: detailed
• Con: sometimes overwhelming
• Target audience include those who:
• Are interested in climbing mountains
• Want to read an inspiring story about sacrifice

WORK CITED

• Ralston, Aron. Between a Rock and a Hard Place. New York: Atria, 2004. Print.
• All pictures from Haiku Deck