Chapter 5 "Day Two: Failing Options" Summary and Analysis

It's morning, and despite not sleeping Ralston feels rejuvenated just from the brief exposure to sunlight. The understanding remains constant that this experience will likely end in death. He goes over the various ways that he may die, such dehydration, which is the biggest risk; hypothermia, although it's not quite cold enough; drowning from a flash flood; or heart failure. Ralston isn't ready to give up on living, but he has given up on salvaging his hand. Now the risk is should he remove the boulder, there is a possibility that the toxins that have built up in his hand will infiltrate his body and cause his demise.

Still, Ralston spends the morning attempting to move the boulder. Casting knotted webbing over the chockstone, he makes several unsuccessful attempts to get...