Lightning STRIKES Hikers – Rescue at 14,200ft!

Daily Report June 15,2025

The lightning strike that almost ended a hiking adventure on Torreys Peak was just the beginning of a harrowing, record-setting rescue operation.

At a Glance

Two men were rescued by helicopter after being struck by lightning on Torreys Peak in Colorado.
This operation is believed to be the highest helicopter rescue on record in Colorado at 14,200 feet.
One man hospitalized in fair condition, while the other was treated and released.
Rescue involved around 30 personnel and a Colorado National Guard Blackhawk helicopter.

A Prelude to Danger

Two New York adventurers, initially lost, made a call for help after straying from their path while attempting the summit of Torreys Peak. Thanks to the timely guidance of rescue teams, they regained their course, only to be struck by lightning upon reaching the summit. This life-threatening encounter triggered an unprecedented helicopter rescue mission at 14,200 feet, showcasing the unpredictable perils faced at such vertiginous heights.

Watch coverage here.

The daring rescue employed a Colorado National Guard Blackhawk helicopter, mobilizing approximately 30 rescuers to reach the men. With one victim critically unresponsive and necessitating immediate evacuation, rescue operations achieved a new altitude record in the state, significantly higher than the previous 13,700-feet mark.

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The Anatomy of a Record-Breaking Rescue

Upon receiving the distress call on June 14, 2025, the rescue mission unfolded on the rugged expanse of Torreys Peak, ranked as the 11th or 12th highest in Colorado. Despite the extreme altitude hampering the helicopter’s lifting ability, the Blackhawk helicopter successfully hoisted the critically injured man from the unforgiving terrain.

The severity of the conditions meant the helicopter had to return around midnight to retrieve the second man, who sustained lesser injuries. With one individual hospitalized and the other soon released, the rescue underscored the formidable challenges inherent in high-altitude emergency operations.

Lessons from the Brink

This towering rescue operation illuminates the formidable risks climbers face while navigating Colorado’s peaks. Immediate intervention by a skilled ensemble of rescue teams prevented potential tragedy, thanks in part to the precise coordination and expertise demonstrated during the mission. Visitors to these heights must heed warnings about the volatility of high-altitude weather, particularly thunderstorms that frequent the Rockies in the afternoon.

In the wake of this daring rescue, aspiring adventurers must recognize the expertise and courage required by those who take to the peaks to save lives, highlighting the indispensability of preparation and respect for nature’s capricious temperament.