Aron Ralston, born on October 27, 1975 in Ohio, is a renowned rock climber and adventurer, best known for his remarkable survival story that was later portrayed in the film, 127 Hours. His autobiography, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, chronicles his harrowing experience of having to amputate his own arm to free himself from a canyon.
Prior to his extraordinary survival tale, Ralston worked as a mechanical engineer for Intel. His passion for adventure led him to frequent the rugged terrain of Utah's Canyonlands National Park, where he often embarked on solo climbing expeditions. It was during one of these excursions on April 26, 2003 that his life would change forever.
While exploring Blue John Canyon, Ralston found himself trapped by a boulder that dislodged and pinned his right arm against the canyon wall. Despite his initial efforts to free himself, he soon realized that his only option for survival was to amputate his arm. With limited supplies and facing imminent death, Ralston performed the unthinkable act of self-amputation to escape the canyon.
After his miraculous rescue, Ralston's story gained widespread attention and admiration. His autobiography, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, became a bestseller and was adapted into the critically acclaimed film, 127 Hours, in 2010. Actor James Franco portrayed Ralston in the movie, bringing his incredible journey to the big screen.
In addition to the film adaptation of his story, Ralston has made appearances on popular television shows such as The Today Show, Good Morning America, and The Tonight Show. He was also featured on a segment of Tosh.0 with host Daniel Tosh, further sharing his remarkable tale of survival with a wider audience.
Ralston was married to Jessica Trusty from 2009 to 2011, and the couple has two children together. Despite the challenges he faced during his fateful climbing accident, Ralston continues to inspire others with his courage, resilience, and unwavering spirit of adventure.