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Report Type 
Mini
Peak(s)  Mt. Elbert  -  14,438 feet
Date Posted  11/07/2010
Date Climbed   11/07/2010
Author  Dying2Live
 Elbert East Ridge   
Started ascent at 6:45am. Weather was spectacular! Got to meet some really good people on this hike.

Didn't need snowshoes after all, but there was enough snow to warrant gaiters.

Made it to around 13,000 feet when a freak storm rolled in with not much warning. Next thing we knew, one of the climber's beanie started crackling loud! Then, as you can guess, all of our heads started to tingle and QUICKLY began to fill like we were getting shock treatment. Picture being in the electric chair with the helmet on and the electricity slowing being turned on. A couple of us ditched our head coverings (my camo balaclava is up there still if anyone sees it, as well as my buddy's homemade wool beanie), one ditched his trekking poles, and we RAN down to treeline. Never thought I'd get the feeling of what it's like to run for your life, but that's exactly what was going on in my mind at that time.

Turns out, everyone on the hill made it down safely, but this trip is one none of us are sure to forget!!!

Thanks again Brian and Steve for being a part of this hike! Definitely look forward to being on the trail with ya'll again!



Comments or Questions
shaunster_co
User
wow
11/8/2010 1:20am
Glad you guys are okay - I heard about this storm from friends that were on Antero.


WillV
User
Some pics
11/8/2010 2:02am
Ya I'm pretty sure most everyone on that mountain thought they were dead. We could all feel the electricity. You could hear the popping either coming from your clothes or just around you. My hands began to tingle from the electricity at one point and I thought I was finished. I hit the deck and waited for the lightning bolt...

Here's some pics.

It went from this:

Image

Image

To this:

Image

Image

Image


zach62884
User
NICE!
11/8/2010 2:44am
yeah those electrical storms are crazy, I got caught up in one on evans, my first ever...I had no idea what to make of it. They are pretty cool to experience, minus the dangers of course


BAUMGARA
User
Same thing
11/8/2010 4:10am
Had the same thing on Quandary, it was pretty intense.


zoriloco
User
I missed it.
11/8/2010 4:14pm
Kinda glad I missed this climb. Glad to hear you guys are alright. When are you all planning on heading out again?


Nathan Hoobler
User
Unforgettable
11/11/2010 3:21am
That really was a crazy day on the mountain. After our ”shocking” experience, we started to head back up the mountain (when we were sure it was safe). We made it back to around 13,000 feet or so before deciding that we'd had enough of Elbert for that day. I'm sorry that we didn't see your hat or poles or we would have grabbed them for you. Glad to hear that everyone was safe.


Brian Thomas
User
pics from yesterday on Elbert
10/5/2011 1:59pm
I will upload these later this week.


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