Storm Patrol! Lightning When Climber Falls

A wild video from a cave in Spain shows a rock climber taking a fall as lightning strikes. In a clip by Fernanda Torres, you can see Benja Ayala Suarez taking a little whip as lightning appears behind him.

Afternoon thunderstorms are a regular thing in most mountain ranges during summer. Remember to check the forecast before heading out.

Here are three documented examples of lightning striking climbers, based on available information:

Grand Teton Lightning Strike (July 26, 2024): A group of 13 climbers on the Grand Teton in Wyoming faced a severe lightning strike while ascending Friction Pitch. Rod Liberal, climbing about 50 feet below the top, was blown off the rock by the strike, left dangling upside-down on his rope with numb legs and severe pain. The bolt also struck three climbers below, causing one, Reagan Lembke, to fall as his body stiffened from the jolt. Another climber, Erica Summers, required CPR, though efforts to revive her were futile. The incident led to a complex rescue operation coordinated by park ranger Brandon Torres, with six climbers injured and three initially unaccounted for.

North Six Shooter Peak, Utah (1988): A team of climbers, including Peter Carrick, was ascending the Lightning Bolt Cracks on North Six Shooter Peak in Canyonlands when a fast-moving storm triggered a lightning strike at the summit. The bolt dislodged a football-sized rock and sent an electric current down the crack, striking Carrick, who was at the second-pitch anchor. He was knocked unconscious, suffering burns, charred clothing, and temporary paralysis. His team performed a daring rescue amidst swirling snow and the threat of additional strikes, with Carrick regaining consciousness but requiring immediate aid.

Moro Rock, Sequoia National Park (August 20, 1975): Brothers Michael and Sean McQuilken, aged 18 and 12, were climbing Moro Rock when a lightning strike hit. Moments before, a photo captured their hair standing on end, a sign of imminent lightning. The triple-pronged bolt struck, killing one hiker and injuring Sean, who was knocked unconscious with third-degree burns on his back and elbows. Michael recalled a bright flash and being lifted off the ground. Despite the severity, both brothers survived, though Sean later died by suicide in 1989. The incident highlighted the danger of ignoring warning signs like hair standing on end.