14ers.com

Just before 5PM yesterday Alpine was paged for 2 individuals off route on Kelso ridge. Mission leaders were able to maintain phone contact with the parties and gave them direction to get back on route and to the summit. After an hour the two parties had made it to the summit and the team was preparing to stand down.

While on the phone with an Alpine mission leader the pair was struck by lightning with one reported unresponsive. The team began an emergent response along with Clear Creek EMS and Clear Creek Fire.

5 ground teams were sent into the field to perform an evac from the summit, while simultaneously a hoist was requested.

2 Rescue Techs from Vail Mountain Rescue Group were inserted on the summit around 11PM and were able to hoist the critical patient. A small Alpine team continued to the summit to assist with the second patient. The second patient along with a Rescue Tech and the Alpine members were flown from the summit at midnight. All other field teams were out around 3 this morning.

This call illustrates how quickly situations change in Colorado's high country, and the importance of having your 10 essentials and being prepared for a lengthy evacuation.

Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/DK2VeCTObx_ ... mg_index=2

Trotter wrote: ↑Fri Jun 13, 2025 8:08 pm Glad they are ok, but hopefully they learned about how making your way up in the afternoon comes with lightning risk. Also, TURN AROUND if there are dark clouds.