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Climber hit by Lightning - Pierces Pass 3-Jan-2011 At 4:49:06 PM Isildur

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So, after writing the above, I just got a call from my mate. He (and his climbing partner) are both home safe. A little worse for wear, but fine in the grand scheme of things.

A basic run-down for those that want to know (I'll ask him if he would like to post a more detailed report up, but I think he just wants to relax at the moment).

They started the climb at about 10am yesterday morning.

About halfway up they were caught in the first storm.

After waiting that out, climbing seemed the better option than rapping & walking out.

While they were on the 7th pitch, the 2nd storm rolled in, and lightning struck the top of the pitch.

My friend felt a buzz through his hands (from the ironstone?), and at this point, they decided it was better to rap back down to the middle ledge than attract more lightning.

That's when I spoke to them, and they then got a call to another friend who advised them of the old walking trail back out from the bottom.

They called 000, and managed to get a 10 second call out, but reception was really poor and they couldn't make any more calls.

Rapped down to the bottom, but the rope got stuck on the 2nd last rap.

Spent some time trying to free the rope, and eventually got down.

It was pitch black by this stage (about 10pm) and still pissing down.

They were a little afraid of more lightning & falling rocks, so decided to shelter behind the Pinnacle, and wait until morning to walk out.

At about 2am, they heard the voices of the rescue squad, and from there it's history.

They walked out this morning with the crew, topping out at about 1pm.

Now I'm gonna chill out and watch said movie :)

Thanks again to everyone involved in the rescue operation, as it's good to know we have such able people doing such hard work!