Rangers Find Arm That Climber Amputated

Associated Press ^ | 5/5/03 | Associated Press

[jimbo123]

CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK, Utah - Thirteen park rangers lugged equipment into this southeastern Utah park and lifted an 800-pound boulder that had trapped a mountain climber until he amputated his arm with a pocketknife.

After hiking 3 miles to the remote canyon Sunday, the crew was able to lift the egg-shaped boulder and push it into a space where it fit securely. The rangers also recovered the arm of Aron Ralston, who was pinned for five nights before cutting off his arm below the elbow with a pocketknife on Thursday.

Ralston, 27, hiked out of the canyon for help and remained hospitalized in fair condition in Grand Junction, Colo. He was to undergo surgery Monday to close the wound in preparation for a prosthetic arm. His parents say his spirits remain high.

On Sunday, the rangers slung the chalkstone rock with 2-inch webbing and moved it up about 1 1/2 feet until they found a spot where it could fit, said river ranger Steve Young.

A grip hoist, a type of strong winch that uses half-inch steel cable, was used to pull the boulder up. Hydraulic jacks were placed on top of wooden cribbing on the floor of the narrow canyon. The jacks were used to push the boulder up and keep it from getting caught on the craggy canyon wall.

The rock apparently had fallen about 2 feet when it trapped Ralston, Young said.

The lower portion of Ralston's right arm was recovered Sunday and taken to a mortuary, said Young, who helped move the boulder.

It took about two hours to lift the rock and push it into a new spot. It is still possible the boulder will move again, Young said. The narrow canyon is prone to flash flooding whenever it rains, and the water could sweep it away.

Sunday was the second time rangers attempted to recover the arm; a previous attempt on Friday was unsuccessful.

[Hodar]

At least it wasn't wrapped around a really ugly chick. ba-da-bing

[cars for sale]

lolololol

[montomike]

Or a really, really ugly guy!

bada, bada, bada bing!

[org.whodat]

This guy is a nut, first rule, don't go alone.

[ElkGroveDan]

Hey, that took a lot of courage on his part, let's all give him a hand!

[Interesting Times]

The courage and stamina displayed by this man are jaw-dropping.

After cutting off his own arm with a pocketknife to free himself, Ralston rappelled down a 40-foot cliff and then walked out of the canyon.

[Hodar]

I think if it were a guy, I'd chew my arm off; and then jump off the mountain, instead of walk down it. Even if it was a really cute guy .....

That's one thing I just don't understand. Now, I can understand why someone would be bi- .... anything for their jollies. Don't agree with it, but I can comprehend it.

However, to PREFER a man to a woman .... ewwww ...damn , ....just damn.

[SwinneySwitch]

Either a nut or very stupid!

I heard he had to be rescued from an avalanche in February!

[tacticalogic]

"Hey guys, can someone give me a hand with this rock? Wait a minute. Never mind, I found one."

[DryFly]

Why in the hell would they spend time and money trying to recover a dried up hand/arm halfway up the side of a mountain? What a waste of money.

[strela]

The lower portion of Ralston's right arm was recovered Sunday and taken to a mortuary, said Young, who helped move the boulder.

Are amputated limbs routinely taken to a mortuary, especially when the patient is expected to otherwise fully recover? I guess it beats leaving the thing out there for the bears to eat or throwing it into the dumpster. Too high an "ick" factor for passersby, I guess.

[The_Reader_David]

I trust the arm will be given a proper burial like that revolutionary war hero, Benedict Arnold's Arm.

Yes, the man minus the arm was the first notable traitor against our nation, but before his treason he gave his arm in the service of his country. (I forget which battlefield has a monument to the arm.)

[tacticalogic]

Probably to keep some other morbid idiot from going up there trying to get it himself and winding up in the same shape.

[Freedom4US]

They claimed it was a "biohazard" and they also wanted to thwart "souvenir hunters", fwiw. Initially they sought it for possible reattachment but couldn't move the boulder.

[Walkingfeather]

As a member of a search and rescue team can I just say again.... DO NOT GO OUT ALONE. I have recovered so many entire bodies that were attatched to arms like these. The wilderness " I Vant to be alone" icon is what kills people. Fine don't listen to me but do your family a favor... tell them where you are going and when you think you will be back, that way atleast we can recover your body mostly intact. Believe me 24 hours dead in the outdoors after the field mice eat your eyes out and the tips of your fingers.... well there will be no open casket... GOT IT!

[Charles Henrickson]

An Arm of One.

[SerpentDove]

ROTFLMAO

[tracer]

The recovery effort was sponsored by Timex -- "It takes a lickin' but it keeps on tickin'" -- and resulted in what promises to be a very effective TV ad........

[tracer]

".... well there will be no open casket..."

Oh, I don't know about that.......