A Bolt from the Blue: The Epic True Story of Danger, Daring, and Heroism at 13,000 FeetFIVE INJURED CLIMBERS. TEN SEASONED RANGERS. ONE IMPOSSIBLE RESCUE. On the afternoon of July 26, 2003, six vacationing mountain climbers ascended the peak of the Grand Teton in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Rain and colliding air currents blew in, and soon a massive electrical charge began to build. As the group began to retreat from its location, a colossal lightning bolt struck and pounded through the body of every climber. One of the six died instantly, one lay critically injured next to her body, and four dangled perilously into the chasm below. In riveting, page-turning prose, veteran journalist Jennifer Woodlief tells the story of the climb, the arrival of the storm, and the unprecedented rescue by the Jenny Lake Rangers, one of the most experienced climbing search-and-rescue teams in the country. Against the dramatic landscape of the Teton Range, Woodlief brings to life the grueling task of the rangers, a band of colorful characters who tackle one of the riskiest, most physically demanding jobs in the world. By turns terrifying and exhilarating, A Bolt from the Blue is both a testament to human courage and an astonishing journey into one of history’s most dangerous mountain rescues. |
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accident aircraft anchor ascended began belay body bolt Brandon Burgette cell phone Chris Harder climbers climbing party Clint Craig Erica Exum Ridge face fast-rope feet flight flying Friction Pitch Garnet Canyon gear George going Grand Teton harness helicopter hiking Idaho injured climbers injuries insertion Jack Jack McConnell Jake Jenny Lake climbing Jenny Lake rangers Jim Springer Jody Justin knew Lake climbing rangers landing Laurence Perry Laurence's ledge Leo Larson Leo's lightning strike litter Lower Saddle lower scene Lupine Meadows Marty Middle Teton minutes mountain rescue mountainside move night Nomex operation pack patient Photo courtesy pilot radio rappel Reagan Renny's rescue cache rescuers response Ridge route Rob's rock Rod's rope team rotor route Sherika short-haul rope sport climbing spotter storm summer summit Teton National Park Teton range three climbers took top of Friction traditional climbing victims weather