A Rock and a Hard Place

[Moondog55]

I just started reading it
Was turned into the film 127 Hours
A great read and if I can't sleep tonite I may get it read in it's entirety
Maybe I should now get the DVD and watch the movie

[JohnStrider]

Haven't read the book, but have watched the movie.

I enjoyed it and further supports the point that as hikers/campers/outdoors people in general, we need to let someone know where we are going in case something goes wrong.

[johnw]

I read the book years before they made the movie. I enjoyed the movie and thought it was true to the book but the book (for obvious reasons) goes into a lot more detail, and gets to the heart of Ralston's feelings, desperation, how he came to be where he was, and so on. Personally I'd finish the book then watch the DVD. Yes, definitely reinforces the need to leave info with someone about your intentions.

[walkerchris77]

Yes i bet he wished he had a plb.

[Strider]

The book that made me always tell someone where I'm going, and never leave home without a knife.

[RonK]

You 'enjoyed' this story? Astonishing.

I guess you would have 'enjoyed' Touching the Void too. .

[Moondog55]

Touching the Void is one of the very best mountaineering books ever written, even better than "Feeding the Rat"

[Empty]

I would say these stories are fascinating rather than enjoyable. Have seen Touching the Void a couple of times but not Rock and Hard Place. Did see that bloke interviewed not long after the event and the amount of graphic, bone crunching detail he gave was a bit hard to take.

Some time later he was part of a survival series where they dumped him on an island all alone with just a knife and he had to fend for himself making a video diary as he went. One scene had him holding a coconut against his bare chest, securing it with his stump while the other other hand tried to cut into it with a large hunting knife. He commented that, for the viewer it must be like watching a Nascar race!

[RonK]

I would say these stories are fascinating rather than enjoyable. Have seen Touching the Void a couple of times but not Rock and Hard Place. Did see that bloke interviewed not long after the event and the amount of graphic, bone crunching detail he gave was a bit hard to take.

Compelling perhaps, but harrowing is the word that comes to mind. I could never say I 'enjoyed' it.

[perfectlydark]

I think everyone is overanalysing the word 'enjoyed'

[Empty]

Not at all. Put simply we all have our own definition and interpretation of what is enjoyable and, for me, watching someone cut their own arm off (at at least describe doing so) is far from enjoyable. It is however fascinating and somewhat compelling.

[perfectlydark]

I dont think MD was literally saying he 'enjoyed' reading about an arm cut off as is saying he enjoyed reading the story.. not to put words in anyones mouth here but this is getting a tad pedantic dont you think...

[johnw]

You 'enjoyed' this story? Astonishing.

I guess you would have 'enjoyed' Touching the Void too. .

Absolutely. Both inspirational true accounts of courage and survival against incredible odds.

[Empty]

I was simply making the point that you cannot prescribe enjoyment. I was not linking it to MD's comment. RonK raised that and you suggested people were perhaps over analysing the term enjoyment.

I enjoy a very rare steak. My wife does not. What constitutes enjoyment for one person does not necessarily transfer to another.

As you suggest, does it really matter.

[vicrev]

No....

[JohnStrider]

Haha this thread has just entered the ridiculous zone

[Moondog55]

Haha this thread has just entered the ridiculous zone

Why?

Although comparing a rare steak to an amputated arm did strike me as funny

[Empty]

Put your specs on and try again. No comparison made.

[Moondog55]

What you write and what I see are not always the same. I enjoyed the book because he does such a wonderful job of explaining how he came to be in the situation.

[Empty]

This thread has become a series of Chinese whispers. Glad you enjoyed the book. I found the interview fascinating.

[awildland]

The book that made me always tell someone where I'm going, and never leave home without a knife.

A sharp knife.

[Strider]

The book that made me always tell someone where I'm going, and never leave home without a knife.

A sharp knife.

Of course

The book that made me always tell someone where I'm going, and never leave home without a knife.

A sharp knife.

[Moondog55]

Thinking about putting a #24 scalpel in my EDC now

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/400084538504 ... Track=true