Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Aron Ralston’s narrative draws on his experience as a member of a community defined not by a particular location or background but by interest in and aptitude for certain outdoor recreational activities. Terms such as outdoor enthusiast, nature lover, and adventurer are often used to describe those who, like Ralston, prefer to spend much of their free time engaged in outdoor recreation, whether alone or in groups.

Culturally, those who participate in such activities share both casual and formal associations, which may be organized around competitions or team outings. Books and other media also provide a means of sharing insights and information among enthusiasts, and Ralston’s memoir is an example of the wilderness survival and adventure genres. He refers to several similar books that influenced his development. Similarly, instructional and guidebooks play a key role in sharing techniques, strategies, and recommendations. Formal grading can help budding enthusiasts assess the difficulty of a particular project before attempting it.

Two types of recreation, along with their associated cultures and methods, play a particularly significant role in the text: mountaineering and canyoneering. As the term suggests, mountaineering involves ascending mountains using various techniques suited to the terrain and situation; for instance, a winter climb through snowy terrain may necessitate the use of crampons (cleats that attach to boots and thereby improve traction), while simple and lighter boots would be more appropriate in the summer. Mountaineering expeditions are categorized by whether they’re undertaken solo (individually) or in groups.

Canyoneering involves navigating through canyons. Depending on the terrain, many of the same techniques that are used in rock climbing or mountaineering may also be used in canyons. For instance, rappelling involves a controlled descent down a steep drop with a rope system and a harness; Ralston rappels down part of Bluejohn Canyon after amputating his arm.

For many enthusiasts, these and other outdoor activities carry spiritual significance. Dating back to the transcendentalist writings of 19th-century naturalists such as Henry David Thoreau, many see nature as a site for both challenge and rejuvenation.