Aron Ralston or Joe Simpson ?

[pitdog]

Both amazing stories of human spirit conquering overwhelming odds but who do you feel had the roughest ordeal ?

Aron Ralston ( 127 hrs ) or Joe Simpson ( Touching the void ) ???

 

[ChadHahn]

Was "Touching the Void" the one where the guys were mountain climbing in S.A. and one cut the other loose? If that's the one it's a close call. I don't know which is worse walking across scree with 2 broken legs or cutting off your arm.

Chad

 

[mckrob]

I think Jan Baalsrud might have them both beat... 2 months of escape and evasion (from the Germans) in the Norwegian winter, during which time he amputated all but one of his own frostbitten toes with his pocketknife

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Baalsrud

"We die alone", the story of his ordeal, definitely worth a read.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1599210630/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1299455639&sr=8-1

 

[Diomedes Industries]

I think of the two - Simpson has it. I can't argue why - but I think he does.

TF

 

[pitdog]

I think of the two - Simpson has it. I can't argue why - but I think he does.

TF

Yeah I think I agree buddy, he faced a few more adversities throughout his ordeal !

 

[GoNadz]

Now, I'm not too familiar with Simpson, but I feel like this almost trivializes two terrible situations. No offense to Pit or anyone else, but I honestly don't think that it's right to try to compare the two like comparing crashes on race weekend. Neither ordeal should be taken lightly, and I'm sure neither Ralston or Simpson would be too stoked to hear people tossing around the stories to see who's got the roughest battle story. Then again, it's always easier to think about stuff like this when it's not you. Just my $0.02..

-Nadz

 

[pitdog]

Now, I'm not too familiar with Simpson, but I feel like this almost trivializes two terrible situations. No offense to Pit or anyone else, but I honestly don't think that it's right to try to compare the two like comparing crashes on race weekend. Neither ordeal should be taken lightly, and I'm sure neither Ralston or Simpson would be too stoked to hear people tossing around the stories to see who's got the roughest battle story. Then again, it's always easier to think about stuff like this when it's not you. Just my $0.02..

-Nadz

If it gives any publicity that might raise sales in their books or movies I seriously doubt they'd feel too upset and I'm not taking anything away from either person, I feel they both showed outstanding courage and deserve discussion on a survival forum...JMO !

 

[Diomedes Industries]

Go and Pit.

Great points to both - and I am not trying to take ANYTHING away from either. I find both amazing.



Of course, if it were me I would have simply lifted the boulder off with the other hand.... so...






TF

 

[GoNadz]

If it gives any publicity that might raise sales in their books or movies I seriously doubt they'd feel too upset and I'm not taking anything away from either person, I feel they both showed outstanding courage and deserve discussion on a survival forum...JMO !

Right on, brother. I get what you're sayin'. Idk, maybe I read it wrong. At first it came off more like who was more of a hardass and who touched it out worse. Logging off for a bit and coming back to it, I see it more for what it is now. Like i said, I meant no offense. Sorry, bud


-Nadz

 

[pitdog]

Right on, brother. I get what you're sayin'. Idk, maybe I read it wrong. At first it came off more like who was more of a hardass and who touched it out worse. Logging off for a bit and coming back to it, I see it more for what it is now. Like i said, I meant no offense. Sorry, bud


-Nadz

No offence taken buddy !

When I hiked today my wife and I had a discussion on which scenario we felt was the worse. We'd watched 127 hrs last night.....awesome movie !

We often discuss stuff like ' where would you hate to be in a survival scenario, jungle, arctic, desert etc....this topic was no different, never meant to trivialise anything.

 

[flipe8]

I think Joe Simpson dealt with more overall, but his was a test of suffering over and over, while Ralston had to steel himself for one simple, horrifying task or die. Both are excellent examples of the will to live, but I've always felt Ralston's ego put him in his situation. I think I'd prefer Simpson's fate over Ralston's, though(OK, neither would be preferred)

 

[Buffalohump]

I collect survival stories and Rock and a Hard Place and Touching the Void are two of my favourites. I will say that both had iron wills and a hugely powerful desire to survive which is why they are both still with us today. The other survival story that will blow your mind is Alive by Piers Paul Reid, about the Uruguayan rugger team who's plane crashed in the Andes. Two of them walked out of that mountain range to get help for their comrades.

However, in terms of pure skill and perseverence, the story of Steven Callahan as told in Adrift is the one that stands out for me. Callahan spent 76 days adrift in a rubber life raft after his boat was sunk by a whale. He had very little on hand to survive with, but survive he did, even after his raft was punctured by an inquisitive fish. That to me is the most amazing feat I've ever read about.

I know people dont like to read these days but I highly recommend his book, its extremely well written.