Climbers struck by lightning at Chickenhead Ranch, Devil's Head

I hear most of them walked out under their own power, but what's the story? I was out today in the rain in Clear Creek Canyon as well. We foolishly tried to wait out the rains under an overhang, but eventually gave up.

Tim Stich wrote: I hear they all walked out under their own power, but what's the story? I was out today in the rain in Clear Creek Canyon as well. We foolishly tried to wait out the rains under an overhang, but eventually gave up.

Something doesn’t jive here. We were at Chickenhead today, as the storm came in. I was cleaning with lightning getting a lot closer, very scary. No one else was nearby as we descended and nearly ran back to the car. A party of 5 had already left, unless they had moved to the back side. But no one else was out there, and no one remotely in their right mind would have gone up after us. 

We were over on the east side sheltering at the base

Tzilla - heard you were zapped and checked out. Hope all went alright. 

9-news reports they were hikers.

Jay Eggleston wrote: 9-news reports they were hikers.

They were climbers hiking out. As mentioned, tzilla was one of them and is recovering well. One girl got the worst of the bolt and is having more issues, but I don't think anyone got a direct hit because more than likely the bolt hit the trees first and they all got the ground splash. Maybe we'll get more details here this week, but all sound like they will recover. 

Glad everyone is ok!  Colorado tough!

Ah, that makes a lot more sense. Glad it worked out for you, Tzilla. 

Hansen Wendlandt wrote: Something doesn’t jive here. We were at Chickenhead today, as the storm came in. I was cleaning with lightning getting a lot closer, very scary. No one else was nearby as we descended and nearly ran back to the car. A party of 5 had already left, unless they had moved to the back side. But no one else was out there, and no one remotely in their right mind would have gone up after us. 

I couldn't believe how many hikers were still trying to go up to the fire tower as we were nearly running down the trail yesterday at 3pm. We were barely off the wall when the first thunder could be heard and it rolled in really fast.

Don’t know if anyone knows Sandi (not sure exactly how she spells her name) who was part of a separate group from me, it would be nice to know if there re any updates.  I’m very concerned about her as she got the worst of the strike.  I think everyone else was treated and released from the hospital last night. 

i've been chased outa there more than once by lightning.  

What sucks is you leave from one valley  run to thee top of the valley, (the high point) then you descend out of the high point....

Numerous times weather moves in fast there and sometimes you can't see it until it's on top of you.

 

Not everyone walked out under their own power, your fb image says one was carried out on a litter

This is Sandy, part of the group struck by lightning yesterday at Devil's Head.  I want to thank everyone that helped me, including Tod Anderson, Gretty, Dillon and Sydney, everyone involved in DCSAR, the great EMTs and paramedics, the Forest Service personal. Such a quick, personal, and professional response.  If anyone has contact info for any of these folks I would really appreciate it so I can thank them.  And I hope that everyone else in the group who was struck is doing ok. I’m going to be ok as well.

Sandy, Tod here, glad to hear that you are well enough to post on MP!!!!! I was very worried about you yesterday and was relieved to see you somewhat better when I got back there with the EMT.  We were all dispersed after the incident and it was hard to know what happened to everyone.  The rest of the group went to various hospitals to be checked out and are all OK.  Keep me posted on how you're doing if possible.

I was at Carl's Jr. today and a bolt of lightning hit the roof of the restaurant while I had my window rolled down at the drive through. That shit was terrifying. I mean, it was loud! When that bolt hit near you guys, did any of you see it? 

Yea, I saw it run across my feet and the ground, and of course a general flash all around.  

Sandya,Gretty here! It made my day to see your post this morning!!!!! Everyone doing fine and the furry monster (Lily) too. Let's keep in touch. You are one tough lady!  

Tzilla Rapdrilla wrote: Yea, I saw it run across my feet and the ground, and of course a general flash all around.  

glad to hear that everybody is ok.  from what i have heard, it sounds like it was an extra-extra-nasty thunderstorm.

Sandy,
So glad to hear you are recovering! I am one of the PIOs for DCSAR, and was Rescue Lead for the carry-out. We would love to be able to connect with you to hear more of how you are doing. You can send me an email at pio@dcsarco.org.

Take care,
Rebecca King
Public Information Officer
Douglas County Search and Rescue