I live in Seattle Washington, and although spring is here our weather is still so crappy. We had snow in April. APRIL! That is just dumb. I want the weather to heat up so I can go enjoy the outdoors.

I have some big plans this summer. I am going to go climb the enchantments and have a good old time with some friends. I'd like to get out and do a couple more overnight back pack trips too. Speaking of hiking... I just got done reading the story of Aron Ralston. If you do not know who this guy is let me give you a REAL quick explanation.

Aron Ralston got his hand trapped by a boulder when canyoneering in Utah so in order to escape and survive... HE CUT OFF HIS HAND.

I am not kidding about this. The dude cut off his own hand at the age of 27. He was trapped for 6 days, ended up drinking his own urine, had no food, was completely dehydrated, on the verge of death. Then he realizes that he can break his bones, and then cut off his own arm with nothing but a small multi-tool.

What fascinated me just as much as his survival story was all the crazy outdoor experiences he had.  In his book, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, he talks about all these different adventures that he has had. 

The guy was a nut for the outdoors.  I thought I really liked all this stuff but this was Aron's whole life.  He lived, breathed, ate this stuff.  He was the first person to climb all 59 peaks above 14,000 in the Rockies.  Now, to me that actually doesn't sound that amazing, here's the thing... he was the first to do it ALONE and in WINTER!  Now that is nuts.  It takes a serious love for this stuff to go hike alone in the winter through snow, ice and every other danger lurking around every corner.  I much prefer being with a buddy, but not Aron he preferred being on the mountain with is climbing gear and a pair of skis. 

His story is truly an inspiring and amazing story.  Check out the book... it is writen very well and the story is amazing.