The arrival of summer means more hikers seeking high-altitude summits —and more rescues when they get into trouble. That was evident this weekend, when a lightning strike on a couple of Colorado hikers resulted in a high-altitude rescue from some of the states most experienced first responders.

　　The rescue began Thursday evening, June 12, when Colorados Alpine Rescue Team was dispatched to Torreys Peak. One of the states beloved 14ers, this mountain about 40 miles west of Denver rises to over 14,300 feet. A climbing party of two people initially contacted the rescue team after losing their way near the mountains summit, the nonprofit group said in a statement.

　　Alpine Rescue Team maintained phone contact with the two climbers and helped them find their way back to the trail. Just as rescuers were preparing to stand down, however, lightning struck the climbing party, incapacitating one of them and injuring the other.

　　None of us could think of another time when we were on the phone and a hiker was hit by lightning, Jake Smith, a spokesperson for Alpine Rescue Team, told GearJunkie. We suddenly realized we need everybody, and as fast as we can get them.

　　Images from a high-altitude rescue on Colorados Torreys Peak last week; (photos/Alpine Rescue Team) A High-Altitude Rescue This led to a large-scale rescue operation that had to reach the summit of one of the states highest mountains.

　　Alpine Rescue Team coordinated with many agencies, including Clear Creek EMS and Clear Creek Fire, as well as Vail Mountain Rescue Group, Colorado National Guard, and Colorado SAR. Working together, more than 40 rescuers were involved. They called in a Blackhawk helicopter to hoist the incapacitated climber off the mountain and get him to a hospital on Thursday evening. They returned for an airlift of the second climber around midnight.

　　A hoist at night at 14,000 feet is a pretty remarkable achievement, Smith told GearJunkie. The last time that we had a lightning strike like this was probably nine years ago.

　　Of the two hikers, who both live in New York State, one was released from the hospital on Friday. The other remains in critical condition, officials said.

　　Although the Associated Press initially reported that it was the highest high-altitude helicopter rescue in state history, thats probably not the case, Anna DeBattiste, a spokesperson for Colorado SAR, told GearJunkie.

　　Its possible that its the highest helicopter hoist rescue, but all we can really say is that its a very high altitude rescue, DeBattiste said.

　　General guidelines for hiking Colorados highest mountains suggest reaching —and leaving —the summit before the afternoon, when thunderstorms become more likely. The two climbers were ascending a route on Torreys Peak called Kelso Ridge, which entails route finding and lots of exposure, Smith said.

　　There was certainly an aspect of not knowing what they didnt know, Smith said of the climbers. It sounded like they didnt start super early and didnt recognize that theyre in a state known for afternoon thunderstorms.

　　View this post on Instagram A post shared by Utah Highway Patrol (@utahhighwaypatrol)

　　More Hikers Rescued This Weekend This call illustrates how quickly situations change in Colorados high country, and the importance of having your 10 essentials and being prepared for a lengthy evacuation, Alpine Rescue Team said in a social media post. Colorado isnt the only place where rising numbers of summer hikers result in a greater frequency of rescue missions.

　　Maple Canyon Rescue Last week also saw an incredible rescue of two hikers who got stranded high on the cliffs of Utahs Maple Canyon on June 11. One hiker was stuck on a small ledge, with just enough space to hold on while waiting for help.

　　With no safe way down and night approaching, our helicopter crew stepped in and brought them both to safety, Utahs Department of Public Safety wrote in a post to Instagram showing a POV video of the helicopter rescue.

　　Mount Washington Rescue A day later, on Thursday, June 12, an exhausted woman from Quebec needed help evacuating off a trail on New Hampshires Mount Washington. That evening, officers with the New Hampshire Fish Wildlife Department received an alert that a 43-year-old was suffering from extreme exhaustion and having difficulty moving.

　　An officer from the wildlife department joined the Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue Team to hike up the mountain and rescue her. They remained with her throughout the night and assisted her in walking out under her own power, according to a news release. During the long hike to safety, air temperatures were around 33 degrees F and winds gusted to over 60 mph.

　　In the news release, New Hampshire wildlife officials included a timely reminder that applies to most hikers entering the mountains this summer.

　　Despite summertime temperatures in much of New Hampshire, Fish and Game wants to remind outdoor enthusiasts that winter-like conditions still exist in the mountains, officials said.

　　The vast majority of the snow has melted, but sub-freezing temperatures still persist on the high, windswept slopes. Anyone venturing into these areas should not only prepare for the conditions while moving and generating heat, but also for sitting still in an exposed area should they become incapacitated.

　　This call illustrates how quickly situations change in Colorados high country, and the importance of having your 10 essentials and being prepared for a lengthy evacuation, Alpine Rescue Team said in a social media post.

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