The folklore of the American West brims with tall tales of superhuman strength and heroism. So the extraordinary story of mountaineer Aron Ralston's escape from a Utah canyon last week almost makes you wonder if the 27-year-old outdoorsman is a dashing 21st century Paul Bunyan--more legend than man.
Local authorities found Ralston in Utah's Canyonlands National Park on Thursday, after less than a day's search. Ralston had been reported missing when he didn't show up for work at a mountaineering store in Aspen, Colo. He told his rescuers he had been hiking and rock climbing alone through the canyon, 40 miles...