Lightning Strike on Half Dome | The Storm | 1

0:00Tom Rice:Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of Against the Odds ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app. A listener note. Against the Odds uses dramatizations that are based on true events. Some elements, including dialogue, may be invented. But everything is based on research.

0:28Tom Rice:26-year-old Adrian Esteban bends down to check if the water is boiling on his camp stove. He's wet and cold and could really use a cup of tea. But even so, he can't stop grinning. He's so psyched that he and four of his hiking companions made it to the top of Half Dome, especially in the middle of a lightning storm. Half Dome towers nearly a mile over the valley floor here in California's Yosemite National Park. It's one of the tallest exposed granite peaks in the world. And here, at the summit, far above the tree line, lightning strikes are a real risk. It's a little after 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 27th, 1985.

1:12Tom Rice:The five young men are huddled in a tiny natural enclosure, formed by a pile of huge granite slabs, perched atop a sheer cliffside. Adrian and his friend Tom Rice stumbled on it months ago and decided to call it The Cave. It's the perfect place to get out of the rain, which is pelting Half Dome as thunder booms all around them.

1:34Adrian Esteban:Woo!

1:34Tom Rice:Bring it on, lightnings! This is intense. Wow. This is so cruel. After a long day of hiking, everyone is thrilled to have finally made it to the top. Some, like Tom, have stripped off their wet shirts and shorts and fished out dry clothes from their backpacks. Their plan is to wait out the storm in the cave, then sleep out under the stars. They're here to celebrate Tom's 28th birthday, and Adrian can't think of any place he'd rather be, or any other guys he'd rather be with. Flashes of lightning illuminate the cave's dim interior, like strobe lights in a dark nightclub. them. Adrian is loving it.

2:16Tom Rice:He exchanges a grin with one of the other hikers, Brian Jordan, who's just 16 years old. Brian and his twin brother Bruce were last-minute additions to the hiking party, but Adrian was happy to have them along. He's particularly impressed by Brian. The nine hikers went at different paces, but Brian has made it to the top, while his brother still hasn't appeared. Three other hikers from their party are lagging behind too. But Adrian can see how exhausted Brian is. The boy slouches down on the cave floor, his back leaning against a slab of granite. The cave seems to amplify everything. The rain has now turned to hail, and the hailstones clatter loudly on the rocks above their heads.

3:02Tom Rice:They have to shout to hear each other. Adrian pours himself some tea and looks up. Hey, anyone want to join me on the King's Chair? If Half Dome is one of Adrian's favorite places in the world, then King's Chair is his favorite part of Half Dome. You reach it from the cave by sliding over a boulder, then scooching forward on a flat chunk of granite that hangs over the cliff, but is still sheltered by the granite slabs above. He maneuvers to the spot now and lets his feet dangle over the edge. Below him are thousands of feet of nothingness. It's dizzying. It's also a hell of a place to watch a lightning storm.

3:45Tom Rice:He hears someone sliding down next to him and turns to see another of his hiking buddies, Bob Frith. Bob is 24, with thick dark hair and an upbeat personality. He and Adrian work together at a tech company in Silicon Valley. Whoa! A bolt of lightning streaks across the sky, and Bob lets it a whoop. This is his first time on Half Dome, and he is clearly loving it. Wow! This is so awesome! What did I tell you? There is no place like Yosemite! They stare wide-eyed at the ribbons of lightning that dance above them. Then, Adrian hears something weird. He turns to Bob. Whoa, did you hear that? Hear what?

4:32Tom Rice:that buzzing sound dude are you high I don't hear anything but Adrian is sure that it's not his imagination he yells the question back to the other guys but they don't respond maybe they can't hear him over the storm then he looks at his arm and sees the hair standing on end this is strange he decides to crawl back into the cave he turns around lifting one hand to find a grip And then it's as if the entire mountain has exploded around him. There's a blinding light, a loud cracking noise, and then the smell of burnt flesh. Adrian wants to scream, but nothing comes out of his mouth. He feels himself slam into one of the rock walls, and a searing heat rips through him.

5:23Tom Rice:Suddenly, it's as if he's outside his own body. He can look down and see himself, and that's when he realizes, is I'm about to die.

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7:13Tom Rice:From Audible Originals, I'm Mike Corey, and this is Against the Odds.

7:26Tom Rice:Towering over Yosemite Valley, Half Dome is one of the world's most distinctive granite monoliths. Getting to it requires a challenging 14-mile round-trip hike, which includes a scary ascent on cables installed on the final steep stretch. Still, thousands of hikers attempt to reach Half Dome Summit each year, to be rewarded by breathtaking views. On July 27th, 1985, a group of young hikers set out for the all-day trek to Half Dome's Peak. When storm clouds began approaching, a few of them kept climbing toward the summit. They made it and retreated to a cave-like granite enclosure to wait out the lightning and rain.

8:09Tom Rice:What they thought would be a safe shelter turned out to be anything but. This is Episode 1, The Storm.

8:28Tom Rice:24-year-old Bruce Weiner steps off the trail and takes a swig of water. He runs a hand across his sweaty forehead. He's so winded he's practically gasping. His climb is no joke. It's a little afternoon on July 27th, 1985, and he's one of nine hikers that set off together this morning bound for Half Dome. Of all the guys in the group, Bruce knows just one of them, Bob Frith. Bob and Bruce went to college in upstate New York, and after graduation, Bob moved to California. Ever since, he'd been trying to get Bruce to join him. The climate is perfect, he wrote, and the women are beautiful. Bruce was sold.

9:13Tom Rice:Finally, a few weeks ago, he made the move. Bruce had barely unpacked when Bob told him about this weekend trip, promising that it would be awesome. One of Bob's buddies, a guy named Tom Rice, is about to turn 28. The friend group is celebrating by hiking to the top of Half Dome and camping out on the summit under the stars. And how could Bruce say no? This would be a way to make some new friends and really challenge himself. He might be in over his head, though. They've only been going for a few hours, and he's already losing steam. He made it through the first part of the hike, up the mist trail, more than 600 steps that overlook a massive waterfall.

9:57Tom Rice:But that was just the beginning. Now he's climbing even more steps, on his way toward the top of yet another waterfall. It's truly awe-inspiring, but his capacity for wonder is being overtaken by his fatigue. and they're still hours to go. Worse, Bob told Bruce that the scariest part is near the end. They'll have to haul themselves up the last 400 feet by gripping steel cables that were installed years ago on the steep rock face. It's not a technical climb, but Bob told him that if you lose your footing and aren't holding onto the cables, you could slide down the mountain. Bruce shivers at the thought, despite the sweat.

10:42Tom Rice:He bends down and grabs his backpack. The thing is crazy heavy, at least 40 pounds. He and Bob decided to pack all of their things into one backpack, then take turns hauling it up the trail. Now it's Bruce's turn to be a Sherpa. Already Bob has bound a head on the rugged staircase, his steps quicker without the backpack weighing him down. Bruce adjusts the shoulder straps, feeling them dig into his skin. Then he resumes the long climb out of the ravine. Finally, he's near the top of the falls. The roar of the water is so loud he can't hear anything else. Then he sees Tom Rice, the birthday boy, and he feels his pulse quicken in alarm.

11:27Tom Rice:Tom is standing barefoot on a boulder that's jutting out of the water. His dark blonde hair flutters in the breeze. One wrong step, and he'll tumble into the raging torrent and then over the falls.

11:44Tom Rice:But Tom is laughing, as if he's invincible. Bruce watches in disbelief as Tom steps down from the boulder, then starts stripping off his clothes. All of them. Man, Bruce thinks, this guy is nuts.

12:06Tom Rice:Adrian Esteban shakes his backpack off his shoulders and lets it fall to the ground. He pulls off his t-shirt and starts jogging after his buddy Tom Rice, who's running upriver from the lip of the waterfall. The two friends have done this hike up Half Dome a bunch of times before, and this has become a tradition, skinny dipping in the cold waters of the Merced River. But they have to be careful. Even though they're at least 50 yards upriver from the waterfall, If they get caught in the current, they could be swept over the falls. And then, it's a sheer drop of almost 600 feet. Adrian unlaces his hiking boots, kicking them off, then pulls off his shorts.

12:50Tom Rice:With a yelp, he dives into the water. Even now, in late July, the water is still icy from the snowmelt higher up. He feels his lungs constrict as his head goes under. Then he pops back to the surface and lets out a whoop. Woo! Oh, yeah! Adrian lives for these weekends. He looks over at Tom, who's urging other hikers from their group to jump in. First comes 27-year-old Bill Pippi, another of Adrian's co-workers. Then the 16-year-old Jordan twins, who are family friends of Bill's. Then Bob Friff and his friend Bruce Weiner. While the others splash around, Adrian and Tom swim towards a large flat rock in the middle of the river, trying to see who can get there first.

13:38Tom Rice:Adrian's known Tom since high school, but they reconnected four years ago, after a tough period in Adrian's life. Back in high school, Adrian was a star athlete, but he drifted after graduation. He got married, then divorced, and started hanging out with a bad element, wasting his days getting high. But in his adventures with Tom, adrenaline is the drug of choice. They began pushing each other to their physical limits, on long hikes or swims. Sometimes they got reckless, like the time they passed a joint back and forth on a winding road, Adrian on his motorcycle, and Tom driving his car. Adrian knows these stunts are stupid and they're dangerous, but when he's cheating death with Tom, he feels alive.

14:23Tom Rice:There's a splash behind him. He turns to see yet another member of their group has dived in. Now, they're all here, splashing and giggling in the water like kids. Seven men in their 20s and two teenage twin brothers. Most of them are completely naked. Tom clambers onto a flat rock and splays out, warming himself in the sun. Adrian glances toward the riverbank and sees other hikers passing by, throwing dirty looks their way. Okay, Adrian thinks, maybe we are being a little obnoxious, but screw it. He's not going to let anyone or anything dampen his enthusiasm today.

15:08Tom Rice:Linda Crozier cannot believe what she's seeing. A bunch of dudes splashing around in the Merced River, just a few yards from the lip of a 600-foot waterfall. Are they insane? Then one of the swimmers climbs out and Linda realizes he's stark naked. Linda is 22 and recently graduated from the University of California, Davis, with a degree in phys ed. She also worked as a trainer for school sports teams and, in her spare time, got certified as an EMT. This fall, she's starting a master's program in exercise physiology. Linda knows classes will be grueling, so until then, she wants to spend as much time as she can outdoors.

15:51Tom Rice:Linda's group is pausing to rest and watch the hijinks. She exchanges a glance with one of the other hikers in her party, 21-year-old Mike Hogue, a veteran of Half Dome Climbs. Like Linda, Mike's a trained EMT, though neither has had much cause to use their training. Linda shakes her head. Can you believe those guys? Don't they realize that there's families here? Nothing like drunk jocks on the loose in nature, right? Though, honestly, I wouldn't mind one of those beers they're drinking right now. Mike looks at Linda and the other four members of their group, which includes Linda's younger brother.

16:30Tom Rice:Then he stands up and grabs his backpack. It's probably a good idea to get going anyway. I'm not loving these clouds. He points his finger to the west. It's been a perfect morning for hiking, but on the other side of the valley, some dark cumulus clouds are gathering on the horizon. Linda thinks she can hear some rumbles of thunder echoing across the valley. The last place they want to be is on top of Half Dome during a thunderstorm. The peak is well above the tree line and there's no shelter really anywhere. So if they want to reach the peak and get back down before the storm rolls in, they'll need to hurry.

17:13Tom Rice:Adrian Esteban tips back his beer to catch the last drops, then crumples the can and squeezes it into his backpack. They've lounged here on the riverbank long enough. Plus, it looks like a storm might be rolling in. He points out the dark clouds in the west to his fellow hikers. Ah, we might want to step it up, guys. There's a murmur of concern from a few of them, but it's Tom Rice who pipes up the loudest. I think it's fine. We just pick up our pace a bit. Besides, once we're at the top, we can just shelter in the cave. Without another word, Tom turns and starts off almost at a trot. In just seconds, he disappears around a bend.

17:50Tom Rice:Some of the others still look doubtful, so Adrian tries to reassure them. Tom's right. If it's raining, the cave will be a perfect shelter. We might get a little wet, but storms pass by fast over Half Dome. With that, he turns and jogs so he can catch up to Tom. Adrian and Tom have developed their own little competition about who can reach the summit first. They're always pushing each other on, trading friendly insults. Adrian quickens his pace as the path takes him through stands of sugar pines and red furs. The missed trail took them up 2 ,000 feet of elevation, and this flatter part is a welcome break from all the stairs.

18:29Tom Rice:Still, he knows it won't be long before the trail grows steep again. More switchbacks and stairs await them. The peak of Half Dome is still hours away and nearly 3 ,000 feet above them. The trail will take them above the tree line. First will come Sub Dome, an adjacent smaller peak that hikers have to tackle first, sort of the little brother to Half Dome. Years ago, workers arranged massive blocks of granite into a rough staircase leading up Sub Dome. Once they're past that, they'll be staring straight up at the final 400 feet, A stretch of rock so steep, they'll have to pull themselves up by cables.

19:07Tom Rice:It's by far the most dangerous part of the hike. Not only is it steep and slick, but by the time you reach the cables, your legs are shot from six hours of uphill hiking. Adrian glances back. He's already put 50 yards between him and the other seven hikers. It'd be polite if he went at their pace, but this is crunch time. He doesn't want Tom reaching the peak before him. He can't wait until they're all on the summit.

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20:38Tom Rice:Bruce Weiner gives his canteen a shake. It can't be empty already, but it is. He calls out to his hiking buddy, Bob Frith. Bob, hold up. I'm out of water. Bob stops and turns. Are you serious? We have at least another two hours. And you do realize it's all uphill, right? It's a little after 3.30. For two hours, Bruce and Bob have been making their way up the path to Half Dome, and it's been grueling. He'd never admit this to Bob, but Bruce wonders if he should have come at all. This is his first mountain hike ever, and the altitude is getting to him more than he expected. He also thinks it was a big mistake for him and Bob to share a backpack.

21:27Tom Rice:It's so heavy that it's really slowing them down. Every 15 minutes he and Bob trade off, but the end result is that the person without the backpack ends up zipping ahead, only to have to wait while the other catches up. As a result, they keep getting passed by other hikers. The rest of their group has moved on ahead of them. Somewhere out in front are Adrian Esteban and Tom Rice. Bruce hasn't seen them since they took off after the swim. Bob walks back to Bruce and hands him his own canteen, but then yanks it back with a grin when Bruce goes to grab it. Promise you won't drink at all. Bruce is too tired and thirsty for jokes.

22:08Tom Rice:He grabs the canteen and takes a swig, then hands it back to Bob. They resume walking up the trail through hemlocks and lodgepole pines. Bruce casts a worried look up at the sky. Hey, Bob. I'm not sure if we're going to make it. That storm is getting closer. But Bob is undeterred. It's fine, dude. Don't worry. Tom and Adrian said storms blow through fast here anyway. And trust me, when we get to the top, it's going to be worth it. Okay. With a sigh, Bruce continues. He's run out of water. His legs are starting to cramp. and now a storm is bearing down on them. He begins to wonder if maybe the universe is trying to tell him something.

22:52Tom Rice:He didn't need to come on this hike to make friends. He can make friends anywhere. But he chases that voice out of his head and continues on up the path. With every step he takes, Half Dome appears more massive.

23:12Tom Rice:Linda Crozier stops in front of a metal signpost at the base of Subdome. It's almost 4pm, and she takes in the sign, then feels a sudden chill. She reads it aloud for her four hiking companions, including Mike Hogue, who's dribbling water from his canteen onto his sweaty head. Danger. If a thunderstorm is anywhere on the horizon, do not pass this sign. Lightning has struck half-dome during every month of the year. Linda turns to Mike, raising her eyebrows as if to say, well, what now? After all, he's done this before. Mike runs a hand through his hair, shaking off the water. He looks at the sky, then up the steep face of sub-dome and its rough granite stairs.

24:02Tom Rice:Ah, let's keep going. If it looks like the storm's going to hit us, we can turn around. It's a lot quicker coming down than going up. With that, Mike hoists his backpack onto his shoulders and starts the climb. Linda takes off her red baseball cap, wipes her brow, and positions it back on her head. Then she falls in behind Mike. But these steps are not like walking up the stairs to her front porch. The granite slabs are not uniform, and some are so tall she has to use her arms to scramble onto them. The steps climb the face of Subdome in a series of switchbacks. Linda tries not to look up. She doesn't want to be reminded of how far she has to go.