NEDERLAND — Twenty-three and a half years ago Aron Ralston took a hike into  Bluejohn Canyon in Utah. He describes this kind of hike as “an easy day” for him.

For a young man who was climbing Colorado’s 14ers in the winter, this was an easy day. He didn’t even think to tell anyone where he was going. Climbing 14ers in the winter is high risk. A hike in Bluejohn Canyon is low risk. 

Many of us know Ralston’s harrowing story since it was international news in 2003. He wrote a book about his experience, “Between a Rock and a Hard Place,” and then the book was made into the movie “127 Hours” starring James Franco in 2010.

Ralston speaks to groups about his experience and how he has turned what some would say is a tragedy into a learning-about-life experience. He brought his story and his insights to the students at Nederland Middle-Senior High School on August 18. The students in the auditorium were curious and attentive, and there were times when one could hear some gasps.

There is nothing in Ralston’s speech that pleads for sympathy. He speaks to motivate, inspire, and help others overcome the boulders in their lives. 

Ralston’s canyoneering in the slot canyons of eastern Wayne County, Utah, took a life threatening twist when an 800-pound boulder fell about seven feet and pinned his arm between the boulder and the wall of the canyon. 

“My arm felt that pulsing pain by the trapped rock and I panicked,” Ralston told the students. He panicked for a while. The panic did nothing to help his situation. He had to stop and assess the situation. 

At this point Ralston encouraged the students: when in a stressful situation—STOP.

S - Stop and breathe—and he had everyone take three deep breaths.

T - Think, and slow down your thinking.

O - Observe what is around you and what is happening.

P - Plan your actions and possible next actions. 

Ralston emphasized to the students that they must be responsible in their decision making. He had not told anyone where he was going that day, and that is not a decision he would repeat. 

As Ralston was thinking of any way he could to move the rock, or chip away at the rock, he said he could not fathom cutting off his arm. The experience became “a slow act of suicide.” He was eight miles from his truck. There was no phone or medical care nearby. 

He shivered through the cold nights in shorts and a t-shirt. As the days and nights went by, though he rationed his water and food he soon realized that “I was standing in my grave.”

With his video camera he started to video himself saying goodbye to his parents and sister. Ralston said saying goodbye gave him connection, love, and purpose. 

He encouraged the students to positively connect with people, because when something seems impossible we need each other for motivation. 

On day five of being trapped, with no sleep and lack of adequate food and drink, Ralston was at peace with dying. Making the videos showed him the gifts of love that he had in his life. With a dull knife he carved his name, birth date, and presumed death date in the sandstone canyon wall and shivered as night came upon him once more.

Ralston had a vision as he shivered in the cold Utah air. He saw a little boy with blond hair playing with a man with one arm who he recognized to be himself, and he had an overwhelming sense, even the knowledge, that he would survive and see that boy. 

Ralston knew he had to break the bone, which he soon realized was two bones, in his arm to get out of this situation and survive. 

He broke the bones. He had a small knife that he used to cut the skin, tendons, and then the nerves. There was a collective groan from the audience when he spoke about the nerves. Ralston truthfully answered that it was extremely painful. 

Ralston was so convinced of his impending death that he “almost passed out from the possibility of more life again and the life ahead.” He knew he had to get out of there and would withstand any pain to do so. And he was smiling during the pain. 

He did get out. When his mother heard that he had not shown up for work for a couple of days she called authorities and a search was on to find him. His truck was found and a helicopter rescued him about four hours after he freed himself from the boulder. 

Ralston told the students, “The worst that happens can turn into the best that happens to you.” His experience has taught him love and the value of relationships. He saw the purpose of this life almost immediately after his accident. He hopes his story can motivate others to overcome their challenges. 

One student asked Ralston how he had the strength to do this. Ralston said that he chooses to see the experience in the canyon and his life as a gift.

Take the tough times, those boulders, and change that into positive growth, lessons, and perseverance.  

Ralston has climbed all the 14ers in Colorado in the winter—a feat he completed after being fitted with a prosthetic. It was a record that he held for over a decade. 

Ralston has been back to Bluejohn Canyon a number of times since 2003. A documentary will be coming out soon about his ordeal in the canyon. 

It was a time of extraordinary fear, and survival that turned into a life of blessings.