Mark Jenkins has a fine essay in Outside on Aron Ralston—the hiker who ultimately had to amputate his own hand to survive—and on what survival requires.
It’s not being dead that scares us. The most frightening thing is being a witness to our own death. Watching it come, knowing we are trapped, alone, with no one to call for help. Perhaps most of all, though, fearing we may have a choice but may lack the courage to fight, or the resolve to tell death to go screw itself—whatever the cost.
[Repeat NewMexiKen item from August.]