The CRUX: True Survival Stories

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

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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

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References

Primary Sources

American Alpine Club Publications

  • "Lightning, Poor Position—Late Start, Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park, Grand Teton" (2003 Accident Report)
  • Available at: publications.americanalpineclub.org

    • 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

        • "Struck" - Feature article on the incident
        • Available at: outsideonline.com

          • Casper Star-Tribune

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

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