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Peak(s):  Mt. Bierstadt  -  14,066 feet
Date Posted:  07/06/2008
Date Climbed:   07/06/2008
Author:  citizensarajevo
 Bierstadt - Sawtooth - Evans (failed attempt)   

Bad day to attempt this combination. Weather had reported a 30% chance of "isolated" thunderstorms. However, the sky began to darken quickly around 11:30am. By noon, summitting Bierstadt was too dangerous. I was caught in an electrical storm at 13,800ft. Lightning struck so close the ground shook around me. Plenty of hail accompanied the lightning. The skies broke, and I hauled back down to the trailhead with enough coherence to post this report.

Moral: 30% chance of "isolated" thunderstorms too high a percentage to climb a mountain... at least this one.



Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
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Comments or Questions
kbmountain
User
Sawtooth
7/7/2008 12:21am
Also tried to do the Sawtooth today, summited Bierstadt at 0925 started to descend into the sawtooth at 0945, saw the weather rolling in and made a quick descent to the trailhead


krz2fer
User
You should
7/7/2008 3:13am
start much earlier next time. Probably at sunrise or before for that combo.


shine
much too late
7/7/2008 3:56am
by noon you should be back to tree line or at least heading down. one experience with lightning above treeline will, i am sure, make you get on the trail earlier...


DTM
early bird gets the worm, among other things...
7/7/2008 2:50pm
You‘re safe and sound, that‘s the most important thing.

Definitely agree with everyone else‘s comments. Early bird usually misses bad weather out in these parts. 8)
On top of that, the earlier you start on Bierstadt, the less crowded it‘ll be.


citizensarajevo
Lesson learned....
7/7/2008 3:10pm
Thanks to all for their insights. I will most certainly incorporate them for next week‘s Longs hike. Be safe.



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