Lightning Strike Survival: The Most Spectacular Rescue in American Mountaineering History | E 174

Lightning Strike Survival: The Most Spectacular Rescue in American Mountaineering History | E 174

This episode of the Crux True Survival Stories Podcast examines the events of July 26, 2003, when a lightning strike on Grand Teton's Exum Ridge triggered what became known as the most spectacular rescue in American mountaineering history.
Thirteen climbers from an Idaho health products company were ascending the technical route at 13,000 feet when a massive lightning bolt struck the granite ridge at 3:35 PM. The strike killed 27-year-old Erica Summers instantly and left multiple climbers with severe injuries scattered across the cliff face. Rodrigo "Rod" Liberal was trapped hanging upside down and unconscious from a single piece of climbing gear over a thousand-foot drop.
The episode chronicles the complex rescue operation led by Jenny Lake Rangers, including helicopter pilot Lawrence Perry and rescue specialists Leo Larson and Craig Holm. Using short-haul helicopter techniques in deteriorating weather conditions, the team worked against approaching darkness and storms to evacuate the injured climbers one by one.
Hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen analyze the factors that contributed to the disaster—the group's late start, inadequate anchoring systems, and the unpredictable nature of mountain weather—while detailing the technical precision required for high-altitude cliff rescues.
The discussion includes insights from Jennifer Woodley's book "Bolt from the Blue," which documented the minute-by-minute rescue efforts, and explores how this incident influenced modern mountain rescue protocols and safety education. The episode serves as both a case study in wilderness survival and a testament to the specialized skills of mountain rescue professionals.
00:00 Welcome to the Crux True Survival Story Podcast
00:30 The Grand Teton Climbing Disaster Begins
04:49 The Lightning Strike and Immediate Aftermath
08:08 The Incredible Rescue Operation
14:22 The Aftermath and Lessons Learned
29:00 Historical Significance of the Exim Ridge
32:24 Closing Thoughts and Future Stories
36:03 Listener Engagement and Farewell

http://patreon.com/TheCruxTrueSurvivalPodcast

Email us! thecruxsurvival@gmail.com

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/

Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/

References

Primary Sources

American Alpine Club Publications

Contemporary News Reports

  • Chicago Tribune - "Lightning kills 1, injures 5 climbing at Grand Teton" (July 28, 2003)
  • UPI - "Grand Teton climber killed" (July 27, 2003)
  • Deseret News - "Rescuers scramble as climbers pray" (October 20, 2003)
  • Deseret News - "Rescue of dangling climber a delicate task" (October 21, 2003)
  • Spokesman-Review - "Tragedy on the Tetons" (July 25, 2004)

Book Source

Woodlief, Jennifer

  • A Bolt from the Blue: The Epic True Story of Danger, Daring, and Heroism at 13,000 Feet
  • Simon & Schuster, 2012
  • ISBN: 9781451607086

Additional Sources

Outside Magazine

Casper Star-Tribune

  • "Identities of lightning strike victims released" (2003)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jaksot(191)

39) Andrew Devers: Lost for 9 days in the Wilderness.

39) Andrew Devers: Lost for 9 days in the Wilderness.

Andrew is a 25 yo male who set off for a day of adventure that turned into grueling fight for survival. He went on a day hike in Washington State Wilderness, but quickly got lost on a poorly maintained trail. His girlfriend posted a notice that he was missing. Andrew Devers, age 25, five feet ten inches, brown eyes. Long, dark brown hair to the middle of his back, scruffy beard, using a small gray backpack. He went out on Friday June 18. Search and rescue teams had gone out on Monday June 21st without luck. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

14 Marras 202117min

38) Lorraine Jonsson: Snake Bite in Franklin Canyon Park

38) Lorraine Jonsson: Snake Bite in Franklin Canyon Park

Lorraine was taking an evening walk in sunny California in early spring when she stumbled upon a surprising foe. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

7 Marras 202122min

37) Amber Kohnhorst: Fall from 100 Feet, Alone in Arizona

37) Amber Kohnhorst: Fall from 100 Feet, Alone in Arizona

Amber Kohnhorst fell while hiking alone in Cane Beds, Arizona, landing 100 feet below. Now She was lying on a 10' by 10' space. The fall left her seriously injured. She had no cell service and limited resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

25 Loka 202115min

36) Carter Viss: Ran Over by a 36 Foot Cruising Boat in Florida

36) Carter Viss: Ran Over by a 36 Foot Cruising Boat in Florida

Carter was snorkeling on a beautiful Thanksgiving day, November 28, 2019, with his friend Andy Earl. The weather was perfect, the air was still, and the water was calm. They decided to call it quits early afternoon, swimming toward the shore, Andy was in the lead. Carter suddenly heard a loud engine, and it was reeling at him. He tried to swim out of its path, but it was just going too quick, and it and its powerful propellers drove over the top of Carter, creating an emergency where his life was on the line. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

25 Loka 202122min

35) Amanda Eller: Lost at the Wakamaya Reserve for 17 Days

35) Amanda Eller: Lost at the Wakamaya Reserve for 17 Days

Today I will be telling you the story of Amanda Eller. It was May 8, 2019. Amanda Eller headed to the Makawaya forest reserve on the Northern side of Maui. She had intended on a three-mile hike but took a wrong turn that almost cost her her life. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

11 Loka 202111min

34) William Coston: Plane Crash in the Bermuda Triangle in 1949

34) William Coston: Plane Crash in the Bermuda Triangle in 1949

William Coston was with his crew in a B29 over the Bermuda Triangle when things went array, and the plane crashed in the ocean in stormy conditions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

4 Loka 202122min

33) Larrane Leech: Visited by a Mountain Lion

33) Larrane Leech: Visited by a Mountain Lion

Larrane Leech had just opened a successful day care in her home in British Columbia. On one fateful July day, she would take the children down to the river near her home, and they ran into a deadly visitor. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

26 Syys 202118min

32) Abby Sunderland: 16 yo Attempts to Circumnavigate World in Yacht

32) Abby Sunderland: 16 yo Attempts to Circumnavigate World in Yacht

Abby Sunderland was a brave and adventuresome 16 yo who had experience sailing as a young child and set off to circumnavigate the globe in a yacht, to secure the title of youngest sailor ever to complete this daunting journey alone. All was going well until she hit the largest storm in her experience sailing, putting her life in danger. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

19 Syys 202118min

Suosittua kategoriassa Yhteiskunta

olipa-kerran-otsikko
sita
i-dont-like-mondays
siita-on-vaikea-puhua
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
aikalisa
kaksi-aitia
poks
antin-palautepalvelu
joku-tietaa-jotain-2
kolme-kaannekohtaa
yopuolen-tarinoita-2
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
mamma-mia
meidan-pitais-puhua
rss-murhan-anatomia
lahko
terapeuttiville-qa
isani-on-terapeuttiville
loukussa