John with Diamond Lake in the background
Waiting out the weather
Looking back...
Well, uh, thankya Lord...
| Mt. Thielson, Oregon; June 22, 1998 | |
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This nifty spire of crumbly rock is called by one guidebook
"The Lightening Rod of the Cascades". When my brothers and I were there in 1998 we
should have taken the implied advice. But, luck (or really a much higher power)
was on our side...
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As we neared the final summit spire the clouds steadily descended and
darkened. I roped up and began to lead the easy (5.1?) summit pitch when thunder sounded close by.
My judgement was clouded by that strange condition that overcomes many "soon to be dead" mountaineers
and I argued "we're so close we can't stop now" and continued up. Just before reaching
a semi-protected area just below the summit the drizzle turned to hail but my "now afflicted" brothers
followed.
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Waiting out the weather
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After realizing that the weather was there to stay we decided two things.
Move quick and stay separated from each other to reduce the "electrical" hazard. We took our chances,
took our summit photos, and quickly got down. I'll say again that somebody was looking out for us.
Thunder kept sounding all around but Thielson was never struck.
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