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A Rock and a Hard Place

PostPosted: Wed 25 Feb, 2015 12:47 pm
by 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

Re: A Rock and a Hard Place

PostPosted: Wed 25 Feb, 2015 3:05 pm
by 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.

Re: A Rock and a Hard Place

PostPosted: Thu 26 Feb, 2015 7:43 am
by 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.

Re: A Rock and a Hard Place

PostPosted: Thu 26 Feb, 2015 8:55 am
by walkerchris77
Yes i bet he wished he had a plb.

Re: A Rock and a Hard Place

PostPosted: Thu 26 Feb, 2015 10:33 am
by Strider
The book that made me always tell someone where I'm going, and never leave home without a knife.

Re: A Rock and a Hard Place

PostPosted: Thu 26 Feb, 2015 9:52 pm
by RonK
You 'enjoyed' this story? Astonishing.

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

Re: A Rock and a Hard Place

PostPosted: Fri 27 Feb, 2015 6:46 am
by Moondog55
Touching the Void is one of the very best mountaineering books ever written, even better than "Feeding the Rat"

Re: A Rock and a Hard Place

PostPosted: Fri 27 Feb, 2015 7:50 am
by 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!

Re: A Rock and a Hard Place

PostPosted: Fri 27 Feb, 2015 8:46 am
by RonK
Empty wrote: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.

Re: A Rock and a Hard Place

PostPosted: Fri 27 Feb, 2015 9:01 am
by perfectlydark
I think everyone is overanalysing the word 'enjoyed' :)

Re: A Rock and a Hard Place

PostPosted: Fri 27 Feb, 2015 9:13 am
by 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.

Re: A Rock and a Hard Place

PostPosted: Fri 27 Feb, 2015 9:58 am
by 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...

Re: A Rock and a Hard Place

PostPosted: Fri 27 Feb, 2015 10:12 am
by johnw
RonK wrote: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.

Re: A Rock and a Hard Place

PostPosted: Fri 27 Feb, 2015 12:34 pm
by 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.

Re: A Rock and a Hard Place

PostPosted: Fri 27 Feb, 2015 2:02 pm
by vicrev
No....

Re: A Rock and a Hard Place

PostPosted: Fri 27 Feb, 2015 8:32 pm
by JohnStrider
Haha this thread has just entered the ridiculous zone

Re: A Rock and a Hard Place

PostPosted: Fri 27 Feb, 2015 9:38 pm
by Moondog55
JohnStrider wrote:Haha this thread has just entered the ridiculous zone

Why?

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

Re: A Rock and a Hard Place

PostPosted: Sat 28 Feb, 2015 7:04 am
by Empty
Put your specs on and try again. No comparison made.

Re: A Rock and a Hard Place

PostPosted: Sat 28 Feb, 2015 7:25 am
by 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.

Re: A Rock and a Hard Place

PostPosted: Sat 28 Feb, 2015 7:30 am
by Empty
This thread has become a series of Chinese whispers. Glad you enjoyed the book. I found the interview fascinating.

Re: A Rock and a Hard Place

PostPosted: Sat 28 Feb, 2015 12:38 pm
by awildland
Strider wrote:The book that made me always tell someone where I'm going, and never leave home without a knife.


A sharp knife.

Re: A Rock and a Hard Place

PostPosted: Sat 28 Feb, 2015 2:08 pm
by Strider
awildland wrote:
Strider wrote:The book that made me always tell someone where I'm going, and never leave home without a knife.


A sharp knife.

Of course ;)

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


A sharp knife.

Re: A Rock and a Hard Place

PostPosted: Sun 01 Mar, 2015 9:39 am
by Moondog55
Thinking about putting a #24 scalpel in my EDC now

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