I was running near a Texas Hill Country lake and saw ladies playing by the water and storm clouds rising. They didnt have a clue and started to panic when static charges caused our hand to stand up. I had us all crouch down in the balls of our feet until it subsided. Getting caught in the mountains above tree line gets deadly fast. Fortunately, early morning hikes usually mitigate the risk. Granite seems to be the worst lighting attractor. I learned more about lighting from this video , especially removing metal and I was surprised to hear that ice crystals can generate a strike.
I was in the Tetons in 2019 and took photographs of a rescue happening on the Grand Teton. I was in the valley and watched the helicopter carry 4 or 5 people down to the staging area. It was surreal to see. I have the highest respect for the rescue personnel that do these rescues.
@outdoordisasters yes they are. I lived in the Red River Gorge in Eastern Kentucky for ten years. It's a rock climbing mecca. I was invited to join the SAR but declined because of the brutal scenes that come with that job. I have great rope management skills, but seeing bodies after falling hundreds of feet was more than I could take.
@loridavis5699 I absolutely love Lander! I did some awesome rock climbing photography near there. I'd go to the Walmart in Riverton. I'm in Southern Utah right now, but plan on heading that direction once it gets too hot here.
@@ericcox6764 oh yep the first time i ever saw a tumbleweed was in that Walmart parking lot. Lol. Southern Utah is breathtaking. I took a road trip outta Lander the last week i was working there and knocked some things off my bucket list: Zion, Arches, Bryce Canyon! SPECTACULAR!!!
The Belly Roll is indeed exposed. I've been there many times, and have even down climbed it on solo ascents when I've come down the Owen Spaulding route. It's the easy way down when you don't have a rope to do the rappel to the Upper Saddle. Also, the Black Ice Couloir route ends there. My point: It's all an easy scramble till you get to the Belly Roll. You can turn around and get down easily from there. These people kept going, in spite of what they were seeing.
I live in florida! Ive seen massive lightning and thunder storms on the beach while half the beach is sunny and the other half looks like a hurricane! Its truly terrifying! Lightning does not discriminate. Ive heard this story before but You told it brilliantly
scary- I got caught in a T storm in the open pass in high elevation there was no where to hide but keep going down to lower elevation. I had to throw my trekking poles down. I couldnt imagine being on the side of a mountain during one.
Last words of every adrenaline junkie who says they 'know the risks' and 'understand I may die, but i just loving doing it too much'? Usually the last words or thoughts I would bet big money on are probably; "I wish I never did this", or "Oh my God, I wanted to live so much longer" or "My poor family, this was stupid" I REALLY feel zero sympathy for people who die or are seriously life changing injured when they go out of their way to ruin or end their lives seeking a thrill
Do you want people to feel zero sympathy for you if you get in a car wreck? It's one of the most dangerous things you can do. I hope you never text and drive, because that would make you absolutely a worthless human being who doesn't deserve any life saving measures. You don't take ibuprofen do you? 15,000 people/year die from it. Why should we even try to save you? People who never take any risks are just as valuable as those who take risks. They're just trying to have a fulfilling life, they would probably save your life if you needed it. Why can't you have empathy for everyone unless they're evil?
Yes. The previous version was probably my 5th or 6th video I made. It had a ton of audio issues, but still left it up for a while. I always wanted to fix it, so decided it was time to do so.
I don't like to see anyone get hurt doing what they love, but honestly these folks who participate in extreme sports know the risks they take by just attempting climbs like this on a good day so why didn't they turn back when they saw that giant wall of ominous dark clouds in the distance coming their way? ? ? It seemed like a preventable tragedy. sad
I am the defense lawyer for the mountains and I categorically state that the mountains have never killed anyone. I am putting it to you that humans with ginormous egos have died on the mountains while the mountain was just sitting there minding their business!
Umm.. thats why most stay on the ground. We know it kills and is kinda pointless to climb. But go off! After watching so many videos i never want my son to live life! 😅 He cant ride a roller coaster ever again , go to the fair, go diving, go rock climbing, mt climbing, in airplanes on boats. In the ocean, can't go to Florida ever again 😂😂😂😂😂😂 RU-vid got me f*cked up now!!! 😂😂😂😂❤🤦🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️🙄✌🏽🥴
As much as I enjoy watching a good lightning storm; especially in higher altitudes; I prefer to watch from a distance, within a shelter and definitely not from inside the storm cell.
I live on the coast of Brasil and as my apartment is on the 10th floor and only a block from the beach, I get to see some amazing albeit terrifying lightening displays. There are signs everywhere reminding tourists to seek shelter should they see lightening or hear thunder. More often than not, you can see a thunderstorm coming from pretty far off. And yet, every summer folks are struck by lightening, oftentimes ending in death 😢 how sad for everyone involved! You have told this story so well it really put me there and it was terrifying! I really enjoy these stories where most, if not all, of the folks involved make it through 😊 Another great video, thanks!!
I get chills at the end! I live at the foot of the mountains in Utah, we climbed up to go cook marshmallows one day. We heard thunder and saw lightning all of a sudden. And it was close, with no warning. We all knew the dangers and luckily, we all ran down the mountain together as fast as we ever ran. We made it to the car just before the lightning was striking all around us. We were all grateful that our mom's had nagged us every time we went into the mountains about the dangers of lightning and other things. It is the most beautiful place on earth here, imo, and everybody is outside all the time. But I try to never get complacent, so i can avoid an Outdoor Disaster. :) I get so excited when i see a new video from you! Another great job!
You are too kind Diana. The audio issues on the old version was, to me, not up to my standards. I was still learning the right mixing between my narration and the music. It still wasn't bad. But this story is one of my favorites and really wanted to make it better for you all. I appreciate you support!
I live in Teton County. I've climbed the Grand Teton many times, by many routes. I have guided there. The day of this incident I was building a house in a private subdivision directly below the Grand. When I arrived at the job site about 6:30 AM, one look at the sky told me we were in for electrical storms. We were framing a roof, so, when my crew arrived, I told them we would probably have to quit early. And we did. To do this climb you camp on the Lower Saddle, (11,800 ft), with a clear view to the west, where the weather comes from. The fact that these parties started the climb that morning is unbelievable. And you can turn back easily from anywhere below the Upper Saddle. But they kept going. Inexperience.
This is an AWESOME video. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Despite so many brave rescues and positive medical outcomes, this scenario is just terrible. If I had been one of the 17 climbers up there, I would have had a fatal heart attack from sheer terror!!
Fantastic storytelling! I have to admire what these savior rangers do because it's just not something I would ever be able to do. I'm so glad there are people who can do that kind of work!
I never realised that as a Scuba Diver lightning can be really dangerous. You are fine underwater, but the moment you come up for air, you are a perfect target. Diving with lightning possible on the forecast takes extra precautions.
I think the cold may have played a significant part in Kline surviving with the tear in his lung. The cold slowed down his heart just enough that the air building up in his chest didn't put as much pressure on his heart as it would have if the temperature of his body was normal
Used to drive a semi. Once we had a pickup in Rexburg .. one of the dock people was kind enough to point out the tops of the 3 tallest grand tetons. it wasn't until years and years later that I found out rexburg had been devastated by a dam collapse
I don't understand why mountain climbers don't wear rubber insulated gear to protect against lightning strikes. Would wearing rubber gear protect them against it?
