Climber tells of knife used to amputate

Rusty

Rusty

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Ralston stated that it was a cheap imitation of a Leatherman multi tool, "what you'd expect if you got a $15 flashlight and a free multi-use tool."

He noted it had been dulled trying to chip at the rock.
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Rusty:

Every SAK I ever remember getting had a big blade like the blade of the Boy Scout knife, and a sawblade, with a smaller knife blade also.

I'm sure there are Leatherman and other good quality multi-tools that have the same tools mentioned available in them. But this wasn't a quality knife/tool.

Sigh.....
 
What he needed was a multi-tool with a tiny climbing buddy who could crawl out (once you unfolded him) and go for help. Deluxe models of the climbing buddy would have common sense (and, of course, a Boron coating), and you could unfold it before adventuring and it would say--

"Hmmm...Maybe you should tell someone where we're going and when we should be back."


Full marks for guts and heart. Now, if we could just fill his head with something.
 
The GPS tags mandated by the FBI in all cell phones the Oct before last were originally intended to help in situations like this. The FBI figured it was also a hell of a way to track suspects.

I wonder if those devices skiers carry in case of avalanche wouldn't be applicable?

back to the subject- why was this man carrying a knife at all? Would you carry a Raven 25 as defense against bears? It must have been cheaper than cheap- because there are many cheap blades out there that could have accomplished this one task.

munk
 
I figured a skilled outdoorsman would have carried something more substantial than a multi tool.

How sharp would the knife have to be? If it were me, they'd find me under the rock with my sleeve rolled up. They would see a bunch of red marks on my arm but the skin wouldn't be broken. :(
 
The bottom line is the guy broke some basic rules and paid the price.

When I used to do a lot of off road motorcycling I always let somebody know the area I was going into. When I got stranded up in the Panamints in the late sixties not so far from the Charles Manson hideout the search and rescue folks knew where to look. After spending a cold night with nothing but a t-shirt and jeans for warmth I started walking out early AM. I left the bike for the buzzards but took the mirror. About 4 hours later when I saw the single engine search plane overhead I flashed a signal to it. About an hour later here came a jeep and I rode out in fine style. The incident made some So Cal newspapers. "Mirror saves man's life lost in the Panamints" -- I wasn't lost. I knew where I was even though nobody else did.
 
Always wanted to hike the Panamints, and the Chocolates, no pun intended.

munk
 
Originally posted by BruiseLeee
I figured a skilled outdoorsman would have carried something more substantial than a multi tool.

How sharp would the knife have to be? If it were me, they'd find me under the rock with my sleeve rolled up. They would see a bunch of red marks on my arm but the skin wouldn't be broken. :(
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When I'm hiking, I usually only carry a small Gerber pocket knife. about 2 1/2 inch blade, 20 bux or so. Small but sharp.
 
Well, if he didn't make the Darwin Awards this time, maybe he'll make it on the second attempt.
 
Originally posted by Darkforster
skilled outdoorsman, not exaclty what i would call him. :rolleyes:
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Well, he did have sufficient skills not to die under the rock. Also, he performed what is reported to be a reasonable field amputation with a really horrible tool, then walk out of some rugged country. It definitely took some mettle that I doubt the average day-hiking car tourist could muster.

Then again, I don't consider him to be all that heroic. I'd put him on par with a single mom that works 20 hours a day to keep her kids fed or a homeless person that survives a northern winter.
 
I'd put him on par with a single mom that works 20 hours a day to keep her kids fed or a homeless person that survives a northern winter.>> Tohatchi

NO WAY!!

Those single moms are heros by any book. Please don't compare this guy who while recreating hurts himself stupidly to women who devote their lives to others.



munk
 
Originally posted by munk
I'd put him on par with a single mom that works 20 hours a day to keep her kids fed or a homeless person that survives a northern winter.>> Tohatchi

NO WAY!!

Those single moms are heros by any book. Please don't compare this guy who while recreating hurts himself stupidly to women who devote their lives to others.

munk
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I meant on a day-to-day basis. One day working a crummy job at sub-minimum wage = sawing your arm off with a dull knife for a couple of hours. Sorry I wasn't more specific.

And I would definitely agree that mothering is far more noble than recreation. I guess I was referring to personal, mental grit, not the value of the respective activities.



:footinmou :footinmou :footinmou
 
When I worked in hospitals I saw so many single moms. They work all day and come home to the kids. You are right, too, most moms aren't so fortunate. They work at 7-11 and come home to the kids.

The drunk avoiding freezing to death was apt.

did I ever tell you of the time I fell asleep on the ice on the sidewalk in Big Bear Ca, at night?

munk
 
Originally posted by BruiseLeee
I figured a skilled outdoorsman would have carried something more substantial than a multi tool.

How sharp would the knife have to be? If it were me, they'd find me under the rock with my sleeve rolled up. They would see a bunch of red marks on my arm but the skin wouldn't be broken. :(
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Bruise, why do I have the feeling that you would scoff at such a puny pebble as an 800lb rock, and merely toss it away with a slight flick of the wrist. :D

Anyone hear him say in the interview, how he's planning on climbing still, in the same fashion.:eek: :confused: I suppose Rusty is right, and he's seeking a place in the Darwin Awards hall of fame.:grumpy:
 
Originally posted by Federico
Bruise, why do I have the feeling that you would scoff at such a puny pebble as an 800lb rock, and merely toss it away with a slight flick of the wrist.
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Possibly because you're as deluded as I am. :)
 
sufficient skills not to die under the rock
:D

Not to brag but i have sufficient skills not to get under a rock. ;)

Just kidding of course.

Feel sorry for the guy can't imagine going through life without minus one arm.
 
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