Climber cuts off arm

Via K5: The
Rocky Mountain News have a
report
of a climber cutting off his lower right arm with a penknife.

Using his pocketknife, he amputated his arm below the elbow, put on a tourniquet and administered first- aid. He then rigged anchors and fixed a rope to rappel to the floor of Blue John Canyon.

Also:

Ralston was described by the authorities as an avid outdoorsman in exceptional physical condition.

I can only presume that they were referring to his condition before this unfortunate incident …