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Hikers Struck by Lightning on Arizona’s Humphreys Peak Survive Brutal Storm and Self-Rescue
Both Men Credit Training, Gear, and Grit for Surviving the 12,600-Foot Strike
Two hikers are recovering after being struck by lightning atop Humphreys Peak, Arizona’s highest mountain, during a violent midweek storm. The men endured freezing temperatures and 50 mph winds before rescuers could reach them hours later near the treeline.
Flagstaff resident Scott Courtright, an experienced hiker, had summited the 12,633-foot peak early Wednesday during a clear-weather ascent. As he rested at the summit, another hiker—identified only as John—arrived. Within minutes, a bolt of lightning struck both men without warning.
“There was no noise, I just woke up on my back, unable to move,” Courtright told reporters.
He estimated that he lost consciousness for 15 minutes. When he came to, he was burned on his feet, wrist, and thigh, but still mobile. John, however, had been severely burned and nearly stripped of his clothing by the strike.
Fighting Cold, Shock, and Altitude
With wind gusts reaching 40–50 mph and temperatures plummeting, Courtright used extra clothing and gloves to insulate the other hiker. Due to the storm, helicopters were unable to launch, forcing the pair to shelter for more than three hours beside a rock windbreak at the summit.
When it became clear that rescuers couldn’t reach them above the treeline, Courtright made the call to descend.
“From the summit to the tree line is almost a mile of completely exposed trail,” he said. “There were actual moments where we were walking and there was no wind, and it was probably one of the greatest feelings in my life to be out of the wind.”
The men made it below the treeline, where Coconino County Search and Rescue teams met them. Courtright continued hiking down to a UTV staging area, refusing assistance, while the other hiker was transported to a Phoenix burn center.
“One of the Luckiest People on This Planet”
Courtright credits his layered cold-weather gear, backcountry training, and John’s EMT experience for keeping them both alive.
“I think I have the right to say that I’m one of the luckiest people on this planet right now to be able to tell the story,” he said.
The experience has left him deeply reflective—but not deterred. Courtright says he plans to climb Humphreys Peak again, only under clear skies.
OutdoorHub Context
Humphreys Peak, part of the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff, is Arizona’s tallest mountain and a popular—yet often dangerous—destination for hikers year-round. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the region, particularly during the summer and early fall.
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