Aron Ralston <cq>, author of the book "Between a Rock and a Hard Place," which details his ordeal in Utah's Bluejohn Canyon in 2003. He was trapped by a large boulder that pinned his hand against the wall of a slot canyon and after several days of being unable to free himself he figured a way to amputate his hand and eventually escape the canyon and be rescued. Ralston is now on an extended book tour and was photographed in San Francisco, CA, Monday , October 4, 2004. He is wearing a Maori Indian (New Zealand) Hei-Matau bone carving. These very stylized fish hooks represent strength, prosperity,abundance, fertility and a great respect for the sea. It also is said to provide good luck and safety when traveling over water so is often worn by travelers.