Work Text:
This story is based on a real person and a real event. Aron Ralston is not a fictional hero from a
movie or a novel—he is a real man who faced an extreme situation in the wild and survived
because of courage, intelligence, and determination. His experience became famous around the
world and later inspired the book Between a Rock and a Hard Place and the film 127 Hours.
Aron Ralston was born in the United States in 1975. From a young age, he loved the outdoors.
He enjoyed climbing mountains, hiking, biking, and exploring wild places. As an adult, he
worked in a sports equipment shop and spent most of his free time in nature. Aron was very
independent and confident. He often went on adventures alone, believing he was skilled enough
to handle difficult situations by himself.
In April 2003, Aron travelled to Utah, a state in the western United States known for its deserts,
canyons, and dramatic rock formations. One of these areas is Canyonlands National Park, a
remote and beautiful place where deep canyons have been carved into the rock over thousands of
years. Aron planned to hike and climb through several canyons during a long weekend. Like
many experienced adventurers, he felt prepared and excited.
However, Aron made one serious mistake: he did not tell anyone exactly where he was going.
While hiking alone in a narrow canyon called Blue John Canyon, Aron climbed down a section
filled with large rocks and boulders. One of these boulders suddenly moved. In a few seconds, a
rock weighing hundreds of kilograms fell and trapped Aron’s right arm against the canyon wall.
He was completely stuck. He could not move the boulder, and there was no phone signal. No one
knew where he was.
Aron would remain trapped there for 127 hours—more than five days.
During this time, Aron faced hunger, thirst, pain, cold nights, and intense heat during the day.
More than that, he faced fear, loneliness, and the terrifying idea that he might never leave the
canyon alive. The story you are about to read shows not only what happened to his body, but also
what happened inside his mind. Aron talks about the voices in his head, his memories, his
regrets, and his hopes.
What makes this story so powerful is that it is not just about survival—it is about decisionmaking. Aron tried many ways to escape. He tried to move the rock. He tried to cut through it.
He waited and hoped for rescue. Eventually, he realised that none of these plans would work. He
was running out of time, water, and strength.
In the end, Aron made an almost impossible decision in order to live.
This moment is often what people remember most about his story, but it is important to
understand that 127 Hours is not just about that final act. It is about everything that led up to it:
3
the confidence that pushed Aron to travel alone, the mistake of not telling anyone his plan, the
long hours of waiting, and the mental strength it took to keep going when hope seemed gone.
For young readers, this story teaches many important lessons.
First, it shows the importance of responsibility. Aron was skilled and experienced, but
experience does not make someone invincible. One small decision—such as not telling anyone
where you are going—can have serious consequences.
Second, the story shows the power of the human mind. Aron survived not only because of
physical strength, but because he refused to give up. Even when his situation seemed hopeless,
he continued to think, plan, and imagine a future beyond the canyon.
Third, this story explores the idea of growth through hardship. Aron later said that the
experience changed him. He became more grateful for life, more connected to other people, and
more aware of his choices. Sometimes, the hardest experiences teach us the most important
lessons.
It is also important to remember that this is a true story. Aron Ralston survived. After being
rescued, he recovered, returned to the outdoors, and continued climbing—using special
equipment designed for him. He became a public speaker and shared his story to inspire others.
His life did not end in the canyon; instead, it took a new direction.
As you read this story, you may feel shocked, sad, tense, or inspired. That is normal. The events
are intense, but they are told to help us understand courage, fear, and survival. Try to think not
only about what happens, but why it happens and what you would do in Aron’s place.
This is a story about nature’s beauty and danger, about mistakes and responsibility, and about the
incredible will to live. Above all, it reminds us that every choice matters—and that even in the
darkest moments, hope can return.
PROLOGUE
The First Voice
You are going to die.
I hear the voice in my head. I call it my first voice.
It always comes after I’ve made some kind of mistake. Its words never help; they just make me
feel bad. So I wait for the second voice. Its words are calm and sensible and nearly always help
me. I wait, but tonight the second voice doesn’t come. There is only silence, darkness, and cold.
4
In the first days, the second voice always came. It stopped me from feeling sad, angry, or afraid.
It gave me ideas. It showed me things. It brought me hope. I believed I could be free again. But
slowly, that voice disappeared. My belief disappeared with it. Now there is only the first voice. It
says the same thing over and over again. Finally, I must accept the truth: I am going to die.
CHAPTER ONE
The Most Beautiful Place on Earth
It is Saturday, April 26th, 2003. My name is Aron Ralston. I’m biking and hiking in
Canyonlands National Park in southeast Utah, USA. Edward Abbey, one of my favourite writers,
described it as “the most beautiful place on Earth.” Right now, with the sun on my back and the
wind in my hair, I agree.
Today is the third day of an activity holiday. It started on Thursday when I went climbing and
skiing on Mount Sopris with my friend Brad. Yesterday, I biked the Slickrock Trail alone. It’s
not very long—only a little over nineteen kilometres—but it’s one of the most difficult bike trails
in the US. Today, my plan is to hike through Blue John and Horseshoe Canyons after biking to
the trail. I’ll leave my bike at the end of the trail and hike back to the car park. I’ll drive over in
the truck and collect the bike later.
After that, I’ll drive to Goblin Valley, about eighty kilometres north of here. My friends are
having a party there. I hope I get some sleep because tomorrow I want to hike the most popular
trail in southern Utah—Little Wild Horse Canyon.
I plan to spend the whole of Monday biking along the White Rim Trail. The trail forms a rough
circle of 175 kilometres. It’s not difficult, and I should be able to finish in about eighteen hours.
By Monday evening, I’ll be back in Aspen, Colorado. Aspen is famous for its mountains and the
countryside around it. It’s a popular place for skiing. I live there, and I work for Ute
Mountaineer, a sports equipment shop. Leona, one of the people I live and work with, is having a
goodbye party on Monday night. Now that winter is over, she’s going to another town in
Colorado to work as a gardener for the summer. Her party will be a cool way to end my trip.
0 hrs
8:45 a.m. I arrive at the Horseshoe Canyon car park early in the morning, pull my bike from the
truck, and lock the door. Then I check the time: 8:45 in the morning. As I start cycling, I wonder
how quickly I can get to the start of the trail.
I can now see the sign pointing to this end of the trail.
5
That means I’ve cycled thirteen kilometres in less than two hours. That’s good. It will give me
more time to finish my hike back to the truck. I lock my bike to a tree and start walking.
As I walk, I think about the history of the people who were here before me. One of them, Butch
Cassidy, was very famous. He and his men stole horses and hid from the law during the last
years of the nineteenth century.
Since that time, the area has been called Robbers Roost country.
My climbing bag is heavy with the weight of my equipment. I think about my plan for the day.
Blue John Canyon will be the most difficult part of the hike.
Three kilometres along the trail is the Big Drop Rappel.
Here, the canyon suddenly drops eighteen metres. The hardest part is 180 metres before this. The
walls there are very narrow, and the trail goes up and down sharply. There are also a lot of very
large rocks called boulders stuck between the canyon walls. If these boulders move or fall, they
can be dangerous.
But I’m not thinking of danger at the moment. I am excited. Today, I will finally see the Great
Gallery. The Gallery is part of Horseshoe Canyon, and it’s famous for the huge rock paintings
which cover its walls. Some of them are more than five thousand years old. I should reach my
truck by late afternoon. So far, things are going well. I arrived here earlier than I thought. This
gives me a little more time to finish my trip.
I always get very excited when I’m about to leave on a trip. This means I sometimes forget
things. Before starting this trip, I forgot to leave a message telling anyone exactly where I was
going. This is one of the things my mother taught me. But this time, I just called a quick goodbye
to my housemates—Brian, Joe, and Leona. Leona asked where I was going. I told her I was
going to Utah and promised to be back for her party. Then I got in my truck and drove away.
I can’t wait for adventure. It makes me feel happier than anything. It’s part of who I am.
I’m on a high rock, looking down at the trail. I’ve stopped because I can hear voices. This
surprises me. I had expected to be alone. Two young women suddenly appear below me. I feel
pleased. I’ve spent the last eighteen hours alone. It will be good to have company for a while.
“Hi,” I call as I climb down the rock. The girls hadn’t noticed me. They turn, looking a little
nervous. I guess they are about twenty-five years old.
I smile and hold out my hand. “My name’s Aron.”
They smile back. “I’m Megan,” says the darker girl, “and this is Kristi.”
We shake hands and continue along the trail. As we go, we talk about our interests. We all love
hiking, biking, and adventures. For all of us, this is more important than earning a lot of money.
6
They work in the same business, too. They work for Outward Bound, a sports equipment shop in
Moab, Utah. Both Aspen and Moab are important tourist centres for hikers.
We are on the trail together for about five kilometres. At that point, there is a smaller canyon to
the west. The west canyon goes back in a half-circle. The girls left their bikes at the end of it. We
will say goodbye there, and I’ll continue on alone to the Big Drop Rappel.
We arrive just before 2:00 p.m. I don’t feel like saying goodbye. In the hour and a half we’ve
been together, we’ve already become friends.
Megan feels the same. “Why don’t you come with us?” she asks. “We can finish the west canyon
trail, go back to our truck, and have a few beers.”
I like the idea, but following my plan is more important. I ask them to come with me.
“How far is it back to your truck?” Megan asks.
“Around thirteen kilometres.”
“That’s too far. You won’t get back before dark,” she says.
“Maybe not, but I really want to do the Big Drop Rappel. And I can’t miss the paintings in the
Great Gallery. I’ll meet you after for a drink.”
We agree on a plan to meet and go to the party together.
Then I turn and wave goodbye. The movement is so easy I don’t think about it. But there is
something I don’t know. It is the last time I will wave goodbye with my right hand.
CHAPTER TWO
The Accident
The girls disappear into the west canyon. I am alone again. I continue walking towards the Big
Drop Rappel. It seems strangely quiet without Kristi and Megan. I turn on my CD player and
listen to a soft, slow song by Phish, one of my favourite bands.
The music is perfect for the way I feel: lucky, free, and happy. The weather is perfect, too. It’s
warm and sunny, with just a few white clouds in the sky.
Suddenly, my feet hit a pile of loose stones, and I nearly fall to the ground.
Careful, Aron.
I listen to the voice in my head and look up the canyon. I can see that the trail ahead becomes
more difficult. The Big Drop Rappel is now just under a kilometre away.
Twenty minutes later, I arrive at the most difficult part of the trail. Here, the canyon walls are a
lot narrower. The trail rises and falls and is full of sharp rocks. I will have to be careful. I look up
and see part of a tree stuck between the canyon walls. It was carried along the canyon after heavy
rain. This is one of the dangers of hiking in canyon country. After a sudden storm, canyons can
quickly fill with water. In seconds, the water can throw you against the canyon walls and kill
you. That’s why it’s always very important to check the weather before canyoning.
Just below the tree is the first drop in the trail. It’s only about three metres, so I won’t need any
equipment. There are plenty of holes in the rock for my hands and feet, so I climb down easily. A
metre from the bottom, I let go and land on the ground. Soft sand covers the tops of my boots.
From here, it would be difficult to climb back up. One thing is immediately clear: I can’t go
back.
The canyon walls become even narrower. Stuck between them, as far as I can see, are boulders
of different sizes. It’s an unusual sight. I stop and take a few pictures with my camera.
The Big Drop Rappel is now only about 160 metres away. Climbing down will be no problem. I
have all the equipment I need in my backpack. For food, I have two burritos. I also have a full
water bottle and an extra two litres in a CamelBak.
The boulders are both good and bad news. The good news is that I should be able to climb over
many of them. This will be quicker than dropping onto the trail and climbing back up again. The
bad news is that the boulders could move. I will have to be careful.
I manage the first few boulders without any problems and reach another drop. This one is about
four metres down. About three metres from the edge of the drop is a boulder. It’s about the same
size as the wheel of a bus. If I climb onto it, the drop from there will be shorter. I chimney to the
boulder quite easily.
As I stand on it, I feel something move. The movement stops almost immediately. It seems
there’s nothing to worry about. I lie down, put my hands in two holes on the far edge of the
boulder, and push my legs over the opposite side to jump down.
As most of my weight pushes on one side of the boulder, it makes a strange sound. Immediately,
I know this is trouble, but it’s too late to go back. From this point, everything seems to happen
very slowly. I let go of the boulder and drop towards the ground. As I fall, I look up and see the
boulder crashing towards my head. If I don’t get out of the way, I’m dead. I try to push against
the boulder with both hands. It hits my left hand hard against the canyon wall. I pull it back with
a scream of pain. The boulder then hits my right arm and traps my hand against the right side of
the canyon.
8
CHAPTER THREE
Three Plans
6 hrs
2:45 p.m. All this happens in a couple of seconds. I don’t even notice landing on the canyon
floor. I am so shocked I feel no pain. I just stand there, looking at my trapped hand in disbelief.
Stupid, Aron, stupid! When you first stood on the rock, it moved. That was a clear message to
stay away! But you were in such a hurry to finish the hike you didn’t stop and check.
The voice in my head doesn’t help. It just makes things worse.
A terrible pain travels up my arm. I scream and pull hard to try and free myself. Nothing
happens. I try again. This time, I push against the boulder with my knees at the same time.
It’s no good. The boulder is a lot heavier than I am.
I am stuck, and there’s no way out.
6 hrs 43 mins
3:28 p.m. It’s almost forty-five minutes since my accident. I am calmer than before. For the last
half hour, I’ve been thinking of my best chance of escape…
CHAPTER FOUR
The First Night
12 hrs
8:45 p.m. Darkness arrives quickly inside the canyon. The sun has disappeared, and the
temperature is falling fast. I am cold and tired, but I don’t dare sleep yet. I’m worried that if I fall
asleep, I won’t wake up again.
I look at my watch and try to stay calm. I tell myself that people must be looking for me by now.
I didn’t tell anyone exactly where I was going, but someone will notice that I’m missing. Maybe
my parents will call my housemates. Maybe Leona will wonder why I’m not back yet.
I shout for help again, but my voice sounds weak. The canyon walls swallow the sound.
9
I drink some water. I have about half a litre left in my bottle and the CamelBak is still full. That
should be enough for now. I eat one of my burritos slowly, forcing myself to chew even though I
don’t feel hungry.
As the hours pass, my arm begins to throb painfully. I try to change position, but every
movement sends a shock of pain through my body. I brace myself against the canyon wall and
lean my head back.
The stars appear above me. I can see only a small part of the sky, but it is full of light. It’s
beautiful and cruel at the same time.
The first voice comes back.
You should have told someone where you were going.
You always think you’re invincible.
You deserve this.
I try to ignore it. I focus on my breathing. In through my nose, out through my mouth. Slowly.
I think about my family. I think about my parents, my sister, and my grandparents. I imagine
their faces and their voices. I imagine myself telling them what happened and laughing about it
later.
That thought keeps me alive.
Eventually, exhaustion wins. I rest my head against the canyon wall and fall into a shallow,
painful sleep.
CHAPTER FIVE
Goodbye Messages
18 hrs
2:45 a.m. I wake suddenly, shaking with cold. My teeth are chattering, and my fingers feel stiff.
The pain in my arm is constant now, a deep, burning ache.
I try to pull my arm free again. I know it’s useless, but I can’t stop myself. The pain is
unbearable. I scream until my throat hurts.
10
After a while, I calm down. I know I have to save my energy. I take my camera out of my
backpack. The red light blinks as I turn it on.
If I don’t get out of here, someone will find this camera.
I begin recording messages. I talk to my parents first. I tell them I love them. I tell them I’m
sorry for the things I’ve done wrong. I tell them that none of this is their fault.
Then I record messages for my sister and my friends. I try to smile as I speak, even though there
are tears on my face. I joke a little. I don’t want them to see me afraid.
When I finish, I turn the camera off and sit quietly. I feel strangely calm. Making the recordings
has helped me accept what might happen.
I check my supplies. I still have one burrito left. My water is running low, but I tell myself it’s
enough. I just need to survive a little longer.
CHAPTER SIX
Thirst
24 hrs
8:45 a.m. A full day has passed since my accident. The sun is back, and the canyon begins to
warm up. I feel weak and dizzy.
I drink the last of my water. The CamelBak is now empty. I suck on the tube, hoping for one last
drop, but there’s nothing.
My mouth is dry, and my lips are cracked. I lick them, but it doesn’t help. I know dehydration
will become a serious problem very soon.
I begin to ration everything: my movements, my thoughts, my hope.
The pain in my arm has changed. It’s no longer sharp. Instead, it feels numb and heavy, like it
doesn’t belong to me anymore. That scares me more than the pain did.
I shout again, using the last of my strength. My voice echoes weakly and disappears.
No one answers.
I think about water constantly. I imagine cold drinks: iced tea, soda, anything. I can almost taste
them.
11
As the afternoon passes, I realise something else is wrong. My hand is turning pale and swollen.
I can’t feel my fingers properly.
I understand what this means.
My arm is dying.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Someone Is Missing
36 hrs
8:45 p.m. Somewhere far away, people are starting to worry.
My parents haven’t heard from me. They know I was in Utah, but they don’t know exactly
where. When I don’t answer my phone, they begin calling my friends.
Leona answers one of those calls. She tells them I left for Utah on Thursday and promised to be
back by Monday evening. When I don’t arrive at her goodbye party, everyone realises something
is wrong.
My friends contact the police. The search begins.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Visions of Life
48 hrs
8:45 a.m. I wake to the sound of my own breathing. It is loud and uneven. My mouth feels like
sandpaper. I have no water left.
The canyon is silent. The sun climbs higher, and the heat presses down on me.
I begin to hallucinate.
At first, the visions are small. I think I hear voices. I imagine footsteps echoing in the canyon.
Each time, hope rises in my chest—then dies.
Later, the visions become clearer. I see myself at home in Aspen. I see my friends laughing. I see
my parents’ faces.
Then I see something else.
I see a little boy. He is about three years old. He has blond hair and blue eyes. He is running
towards me, laughing, and I know—somehow—that he is my son.
The vision is so real that I start to cry.
I understand what it means. If I die here, that child will never exist. That future will disappear
forever.
For the first time in days, the second voice returns.
You have to live.
CHAPTER NINE
A Sign of Hope
72 hrs
8:45 a.m. Three days have passed. I am barely conscious. My body feels light, as if I might float
away.
I experiment with my knife again. I have tried cutting through the rock, cutting through the
boulder, and cutting through my rope. Nothing has worked.
Now I look at my arm.
I press the blade lightly against my skin. I don’t feel much pain. That tells me what I need to
know.
The idea has been there for days, but I have been too afraid to accept it. Now, I have no choice.
There is only one way out.
CHAPTER TEN
Freedom
13
127 hrs
11:30 a.m. I am completely calm.
The decision is made. There is no fear left. I know exactly what I have to do.
I position my body carefully. I brace my feet against the canyon wall and pull my trapped arm
towards me. With my knife, I cut into the flesh. The pain is intense, but distant, like it belongs to
someone else.
I work slowly and carefully. I cut through skin and muscle. When I reach the bone, I stop.
My knife isn’t strong enough to cut through bone.
I remember something I learned while climbing. Bones can break if you apply enough pressure.
I bend my arm against the rock.
There is a loud crack.
I scream, but I don’t stop.
I cut through the remaining tissue and pull my arm free. I fall backward onto the canyon floor,
breathing hard, shaking, but alive.
I am free.
128 hrs
I tie a tourniquet around the end of my arm to stop the bleeding. I pack my equipment quickly,
using my teeth and my left hand. I drink the last drops of water from my CamelBak.
Then I start walking.
I climb down the Big Drop Rappel using my rope. At the bottom, I begin the long hike out of the
canyon.
I feel weak, but every step takes me closer to life.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
14
127 Hours
130 hrs
1:30 p.m. After hiking for several hours, I see people.
A family is walking towards me. They stare in shock at my arm. I smile.
“I need help,” I say.
They give me water and call for rescue.
A helicopter arrives soon after. As it lifts me out of the canyon, I look down at the place that
nearly killed me.
I feel grateful.
CHAPTER 12
After the Canyon
I survive.
Doctors tell me I was close to death. I lose part of my arm, but I keep my life. That is enough.
Months later, I return to the canyon. I stand where it all happened and feel calm.
I am not angry.
I am thankful.
I learned something in that canyon—about fear, about mistakes, and about the will to live.
Every day after that is a gift.
EPILOGUE: After the Canyon
When Aron Ralston finally freed himself and climbed out of the canyon, he was alive—but
everything had changed. Every step away from that place was painful. He had lost a part of his
body, a great amount of blood, and almost all his strength. The desert sun burned down on him,
15
and his body felt weak and empty. Still, Aron kept moving. He knew that stopping would mean
giving up, and he had already fought too hard to give up now.
Hours later, when Aron met a family hiking through the canyon, he could barely speak. They
stared in shock at his injured arm, but Aron managed to smile. That smile came from pure
relief—relief that he was no longer alone, that someone could see him, and that his struggle had
not been invisible. They gave him water and stayed with him until help arrived. Soon, a
helicopter lifted him out of the canyon, carrying him away from the place where he had faced
death and chosen life.
At the hospital, doctors worked quickly to save him. They treated his severe dehydration,
stopped the bleeding, and performed surgery. Aron survived, but the days and weeks that
followed were not easy. His body had to heal, and so did his mind. He had nightmares, painful
memories, and moments of doubt. Simple tasks felt frustrating and overwhelming. Learning to
live with one arm took patience, courage, and determination.
But Aron refused to let the canyon define him only by loss. Over time, he learned to see survival
not as the end of his story, but as the beginning of a new one. With the help of a specially
designed prosthetic arm, he returned to the mountains. He climbed again. He hiked again. Each
step outdoors became a reminder of how precious life is and how close he had come to losing it.
Aron also found new purpose in sharing his story. He wrote a book about his experience and
spoke to people around the world. He did not share his story to impress others, but to warn them,
teach them, and inspire them. He wanted people to understand that confidence must be balanced
with responsibility, and that even strong, skilled people can make mistakes.
The canyon taught Aron something deeper than survival skills. It taught him the value of human
connection. Alone in the darkness, he thought about his family, his friends, and the life he
wanted to live. Those thoughts gave him the strength to keep going. After the accident, he
became more open, more grateful, and more aware of the people around him.
Years later, Aron returned to the canyon where everything had changed. He did not return with
anger or fear, but with respect. He stood in silence, remembering the pain, the fear, and the
decision that saved his life. The canyon had tested him in the most extreme way—and he had
survived.
Aron Ralston’s story is not just about a terrible accident. It is about courage in the face of fear,
hope in moments of despair, and the strength of the human spirit. His life after the canyon shows
that even when something is taken from us, something else can be gained: understanding,
gratitude, and a deeper love for life.
The canyon did not break him.
It changed him.
And in doing so, it gave his story meaning far beyond those 127 hours.