For six days, Aron Ralston kept himself alive with fierce self-control and a conviction that only logical thought could let him survive. But the epiphany when the 27-year-old climber realised how he could save his own life came from an explosion of blind rage.

Ralston had been climbing the narrow canyons of Utah alone when a dislodged boulder fell on to his right arm, trapping him against a rock. He was entombed in the wilderness of Bluejohn Canyon, carrying a small rucksack with just one litre of water, two burritos and a few chunks of chocolate. He had headphones and a video camera but no mobile phone – and there was no reception anyway. Most foolishly of all, he had not told anyone where he was going. He eked out his water, futilely chipping away at the 800lb rock and slowly entering a state of delirium, until he was eventually forced to cut off his trapped arm, with the small knife from his cheap multitool kit.

Ralston, who is now 35 and still with the wiry physique of a climber, has just attended the London premiere of 127 Hours, Danny Boyle‘s film about his extraordinary escape from certain death. The film – like Ralston himself, full of boyish energy – is remarkably true-to-life, says Ralston, talking quickly and waving his arms around animatedly. It does not, however, fully describe his “gruesome” moment of revelation.

When his blunt knife pierced his skin but came to rest against solid bone, Ralston thought there was no chance he could perform the gruesome amputation that would save his life. He brushed some grit from his trapped thumb and a sliver of flesh peeled off “like the skin of boiled milk”, he remembers. “I’m like, what the . . . ? I take my knife and I’m poking a bit more and the knife just slips into the meat of my thumb like it’s going into room-temperature butter. My hand has almost jellified. The knife tip goes in and, ‘pssstt’, the gases from decomposition escape and there’s this putrid smell. I go into this rage. I’m in this hyper-emotional state after all this regimented discipline to keep it together and in this moment, when I’m trying to rip my arm out from the rock, I feel it bend and it stops me – ‘That’s it! I can use the boulder to break my bones!’”

Today marks the 39th anniversary of RE/MAX…this is a special message from agents in Massachusetts & New Hampshire.  Thank you to Dave, Gail, and all the founders of RE/MAX!

With 26 years of real estate experience, Shimer provides real estate services to Massachusetts and New Hampshire, specializing in residential, multi-family and corporate relocations. Shimer was honored as “REALTOR of the Year” in 1997 and has special real estate designations and awards such as C.R.S., G.R.I., Member of 100% Club, Executives Club and the Presidents Club.

Joseph Shimer resides in Westford, MA, and is involved in the Stephen Minister Program at his church as well as a past committee member for Young Life in Westford.

“RE/MAX represents the top of our profession and it provides excellent services to agents and clients,” Shimer said. “I am thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful organization.”

RE/MAX Prestige, 234 Littleton Road, Westford, MA, 01886, 978-692-9292

RE/MAX Prestige is affiliated with RE/MAX of New England and RE/MAX International. Since its inception in 1985, RE/MAX of New England has grown to over 275 offices with 3,500 sales associates throughout Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont, providing residential and commercial real estate, as well as relocation and referral services. RE/MAX of New England’s Internet Web address is www.remax-newengland.com.