Pinned Hiker cuts off arm

Pinned Hiker cuts off arm

The national news has covered this story pretty extensively. A climber got an arm pinned under a largish rock, and after running out of water he took the grisly option of cutting off hiw own arm rather than face death from exposure and dehydration.

Swiss Army Cybertool Pocket Knife

I had wondered about this conceptually ever since reading Mike Turner's story in BackPacker magazine. (The article can also be found on the author's web site, www.jeffrennicke.com)

Mike's story is haunting as he gets both legs pinned under a very large boulder four days into a nine day solo trip. When his body is found it is weeks too late. While reading the story I kept wondering if back-country amputation would give a person a fighting chance. While I doubt it would have work in Mike Turner's case, given the fact that he was in the middle a large wilderness area and he had both legs pinned it seems to have worked for Aron Ralston.

Mike Turners story is especially haunting as he left behind photographs and some thoughtful diary entries. Mike was a pastor, and judging from the article led an examined life full of faith and love for his family.

My backpacking friends jokingly worry about me performing a pre-emptive amputation, just in case a limb gets pinned. Ne fears there. I don't plan to go on any true solo trips until I am in better shape and have a lot more experience under my belt.

If you haven't read about my latest wilderness adventure, please check out "Hiking around Snowbank Lake, BWCA".