Adventure: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

May 4, 2009

One of the benefits of having an adventurous husband is getting to learn about all sorts of stories I might not otherwise pay attention to. I have heard about some crazy adventures throughout the years, but three of them stay with me at all times because they remind me to NEVER, EVER, EVER GIVE UP… no matter what.

In these three real-life stories the main characters found themselves completely and hopelessly trapped between a rock an a hard place, in one case literally! It is fair to say that the odds of any of them surviving were… is there a less than zero percent? Let’s just say, not good. I want to share them with you so they may serve as inspiration the next time you find yourself on the wrong side of seemingly unbeatable odds.

When the world says, “Give up,” Hope whispers, “Try it one more time.” –Unknown

1. Andes Plane Crash – In 1972, the Uruguay rugby team was flying over the Andes when their plane crashed into a snowy peak. There are all sorts of fascinating details you can learn about the Crash of Flight 571, so I am including this link in case you would like to know more. For the purposes of this post, though, there are a few things I’d like you to know.

When the plane crashed, the back half disappeared entirely; all those passengers perished. The survivors were seriously injured and had no winter clothing or extra provisions. They were hopeful, listening to the search and rescue operations on a transistor radio… until they heard the search had been called off. They were stranded on a snowy peak in the Andes.

To add insult to injury, an avalanche covered them in 10 feet of snow and they had to dig their way out. They managed to stay alive by eating the flesh of their friends who had died. But after two months, a couple of guys decided they would have to attempt to walk out of there and find help.

One was Fernando Parrado, who had been sitting in row 9 at the time of the crash; everyone behind that row was lost… including his mother and sister. The other was Roberto Canessa, who was the one to first suggest they should cannibalize their friends. Neither was a climber, nor did they have proper provisions or mountaineering equipment.

They walked for days to reach the top of the first peak, thinking they would look out and see the lights of a city… but all they could see in every direction was snow and mountains. After nearly giving up hope, they continued walking West until, finally, they reached another person and were able to get help to rescue the remaining survivors.

Fernando Parrado has said that it was very difficult for him to return to “normal” life because it no longer included his mother, his sister, and many of his best friends. But, he had fought SO hard to live that he was determined to make a life for himself and never look back. Even then, in the aftermath of grief, loss and despair, he did not give up.

“I have learned that the only thing that matters is affection. All of us would have given whatever we earned in a thousand lives only for an embrace of our family. We learned so much through sorrow and pain, so whenever I look at my girls walking, or eating, or playing with the dog I am very happy. That is my happiness now.” –Fernando Parrado

2. Everest Disaster – In 1996 there was an ill-fated Everest expedition, the worst disaster in the history of Everest summit attempts. Beck Weathers was one of the climbers on the day when conditions turned violently against them. As I understand it, he was climbing to combat the depression he felt in his regular life… mountaineering gave him a sense of fulfillment he was lacking at home.

Several team members died that day, and Beck suffered severe frostbite on his face and hands. He was in such bad shape that he was left for dead… on two separate occasions! By all accounts he should have died on the mountain. But thoughts of his family (the one he was previously unhappy about) made him determined to get back home… so he kept going. No one could believe it when he came stumbling into camp.

“I was lying on my back in the ice. It was colder than anything you can believe. I figured I had three or four hours left to live, so I started walking. All I knew was, as long as my legs would run, and I could stand up, I was going to move toward that camp, and if I fell down, I was going to get up. And if I fell down again, I was going to get up, and I was going to keep moving until I either hit that camp, I couldn’t get up at all, or I walked off the face of that mountain.” –Beck Weathers

After an incredible helicopter rescue mission, some amputations, and other incredible surgeries to repair his face, Beck Weathers survived and LOVES his life now. This ordeal saved his marriage and helped him appreciate what he had. It makes me wonder, though, why did he have to almost die to realize that what he already had was enough? Why do we take things for granted until we are about to lose them?

3. Climbing Solo – In 2003 Aron Ralston was climbing solo in Utah when a boulder fell and pinned down his right forearm. He tried desperately to free himself by attempting to move or break the 800-1000 pound boulder. But after five days, and facing certain death, he decided the only way he would have a chance to survive was to amputate his own arm!

I would encourage those of you who are not squeamish to click the link on his name and learn the details of how he did this… I cannot bring myself to type them here. Suffice it to say, it was NOT a simple operation and certainly not something most of us would do. But he was determined to get home, and wouldn’t give up.

“It struck me that in our last hours, even though we may have moved away from those things, there’s a level-headed understanding of what’s important. –Aron Ralston

Why am I telling you these stories? Perspective.

The next time you think you are in an impossible situation, think again. Nothing is impossible.

If you feel your current life is insufficient or unfulfilling, know that a single near-death experience would likely make you see that you have everything you need. Why not skip the agony and suffering and go right to appreciating what you have?

None of the things you think are important matter in the least, except Love. The relationships you have with family, friends, or even acquaintances are the things worth living for… cherish them.

Further Reading:  Alive! | Left for Dead | Into Thin Air | Between a Rock and a Hard Place

No related posts.

Posted in choices, family, Overcoming Challenges, Spirit of Adventure