In the early morning hours on Tuesday, Ririe's wife, Tracey, began looking for him. She tried Big Cottonwood and East canyons first, and by 8 a.m., she found his truck up Little Cottonwood Canyon. At about the same time, 11-year-old Alex Malin, who had spent the night with his family at Tanners Flat, was collecting firewood in the forest when he heard cries for help.

"I didn't see the young boy. He saw me," said Ririe, who noted he wasn't even aware until after he was pulled out of the water that the young boy was responsible for saving his life.

When Alex found the man, he said he was shivering and his lips were turning blue.

On Tuesday, Ririe said he'd like to meet the boy again and tell him, "Thank you." Tracey Ririe did meet the boy on the mountain as her husband was being rescued.

"I just told him I was thankful. Just really grateful," she said.

Ririe said Tuesday that he remains in a lot of pain, mostly from his foot. Carter said the biggest problem was circulation in his right foot, which had been cut off because of the boulder's weight. Doctors were encouraged, however, that some circulation started returning once the boulder was removed. Ririe also sustained a muscle injury to his right calf.

Ririe's body temperature had dropped substantially when he was brought to the hospital, Carter said. But, he said as of Tuesday, doctors expected a full recovery.

Ririe, an avid fisherman and skier, said he hoped he would get to keep all his limbs. His daughter, however, has already told him he's no longer allowed to go fishing by himself, he said.

When asked if the near-death experience changed his life, Ririe said with a small chuckle, "I don't know how it couldn't."

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E-MAIL: preavy@desnews.com