Alpine Rescue Team’s Dramatic Mission on Torrey’s Peak after Lightning Strike
Colorado’s Alpine Rescue Team had an audacious rescue in June on Torrey’s Peak when two hikers were caught in an unexpected storm and one was struck by lightning while on the phone with rescuers. “It was probably one of the more dramatic calls I’ve been involved in,” said Jake Smith, Public Information Officer and field team member with Alpine Rescue, who was on both the initial call and made it on scene to assist.
The two hikers, visiting from New York, called 911 at about 5:00 p.m. on June 12 because they were having trouble finding the trail on the technical Kelso Ridge route to Torrey’s Peak, which is one of Colorado’s 14,000-ft peaks. An Alpine Team mission coordinator was able to direct the hikers to a safer descent route, which included Torrey’s Peak. While the hikers were on the phone, a storm came in and one of the hikers was struck by lightning. The other hiker reported his friend was unconscious and “foaming at the mouth.”
Alpine Rescue Team members on the way to assist hikers struck by lightning on Torrey’s Peak.
A full emergency response was initiated with several agencies, though air support was not immediately available because of weather, so 30 team members started making their way to the patients. After 11:00 p.m., a weather window opened and a National Guard helicopter was able to hoist the lightning-struck hiker to an ambulance. It is believed to be one of the highest hoist rescues ever performed in Colorado. The second hiker was also evacuated by helicopter and treated as well. Smith said he and another rescuer on the call were recently able to visit the patient who was struck by lightning and suffered severe burns.
Rocky Talkie Awards
Rocky Talkie awarded a total of $110,000 to eight different SAR teams in the United States and Canada for their 2025 awards. Several MRA teams were recipients of grants: $5,000 to Chaffee County Search and Rescue, $10,000 to El Dorado County Search and Rescue and $25,000 each to Deschutes County Search and Rescue and Linville-Central Rescue Squad.
Chaffee County plans to use the funds to purchase a communications console, which will allow two radio operators to manage multiple communications channels during missions. El Dorado’s grant will fund ongoing avalanche education, allowing them to train 18 members annually in Avalanche Level 1 and Companion Rescue courses.
Deschutes County will use the grant to fund avalanche education courses as well, a critical need for the team after they responded to four complex avalanche incidents in the past two years. Deschutes will train seven members through advanced avalanche courses to ensure safe responses to future incidents. Linville-Central Rescue Squad’s grant will be used to fund the purchase of necessary personal protective equipment and technical gear, replacing expired equipment.
Nevada County SAR approved as MRA member
At the Spring Membership Meeting in June, Nevada County (California) Search and Rescue was approved as the newest MRA member for the California region. Nevada started the process in 2021, working with many different teams in California to learn about the MRA and the process for accreditation. The testing process began in 2023 and was completed in April of 2025. The team, which was sponsored by Marin County Search and Rescue, said it improved through the process, gaining more discipline and organization in technical rope and winter operations, as well as deepening the bench of skills on its team.
“It was a significant amount of work and impact on the team, but we are a much better team overall,’’ said Scott Montgomery, the Mountain Rescue Team Manager for Nevada. Montgomery also said the opportunity to work closely with other member teams in the area on mock test scenarios, feedback from evaluators, and trainings leading up to the tests was an added benefit.
Colorado dog rescues
Anytime a dog is rescued, it seems to become the most popular feel-good story in the news. Some teams may not prioritize rescue of an animal, but will respond if an owner also needs assistance. Colorado teams, after four calls for dogs in need of assistance or rescue in recent weeks, reached out to the community with suggestions for making good decisions about having dogs in the backcountry and preparing for emergencies with their four-legged hiking partners as well. Park County Search and Rescue posted on its Facebook page with some tips for people heading out with their dogs, encouraging them to consider whether the distance and terrain is really appropriate for the animal, to bring enough food and water for both dog and human, and to also carry emergency first aid and rescue equipment should their dog need help.
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