Harrower Peak // That Moment When You Think You’re About to Die

[@austinado16]

This one had it all. Threat of violence from the wife, threat of violence from the weather, hand sewing, Aaron's magic blue glasses, and Chas in full attack mode on that climb. 10/10 ladies!! Way to push that mediocre envelope!

[@beeclimbing9954]

"ladies" - the inclusion of this 1 word in your comment says so much about you...

[@abotter]

@@beeclimbing9954 agreed. What a weird way to end the comment.

[@tylero8595]

@@beeclimbing9954 ugh. Your comment about his comment says much more about you. Hows that blue hair working out for ya, lady???

[@jimc.goodfellas]

Haha ....ah comments sections

[@shakes.dontknowwhatyergettin]

@@beeclimbing9954 What evil word are we not allowed say this month, political and moral fad enforcer?

[@cactuscooler48]

This video brought back some PTSD around 11:10. Almost died on the Upper Exum route on Grand Teton from an unpredicted thunderstorm that came in around 10am. We knew there was a bail off exit, but in the hail and thunderstorm we couldn't find it, so our only exit was to the summit and down the Owen Spalding. Finally, in a 2-1 vote, we decided we would die of hypothermia if we didn't keep moving and that a lighting strike was a quicker and less painful way to die. We were each wearing some form of a wet rack full of cams, nuts, beiners, ect. If you crouched down with your heels together that God awful sound went away, but standing up it was twice as bad as the audio portrayed. Hearing it in this video was an instant trigger. 4 years later I still have numbness on my middle toe from the frostbite of that trip. Scariest thing I've ever experienced and so glad to see you guys made it down safe!!

[@rellify3]

What an insane story. Thanks for sharing and I’m glad your group made it out relatively safely!

[@timjones8837]

Yep...experienced that zinging on the Aiguille du Tour...in our efforts to get off the mountain, I sliced open my hand on an ice axe.. Such fun!!!

[@jwhoward182]

Fun fact: there are two types of lightning. One is cloud to ground. The other is ground to cloud (this type is more likely to create a fire). @11:13 - Aaron's hair lift is showing this is the start of the latter. There wasn't enough uplift from the air on the mountain to create the ions needed for the other half of the circuit. Thankfully. So crazy to see Mt Lester on the map and recognize it in the video. Did it 45 years + 1 week ago. [edit: clarity]

[@SeniorTurner]

Damn I didn’t know those facts. Learned something new👏🏼

[@WhereKentWent]

I climbed Granite Peak in Montana the same day you did this. It was one of the toughest climbs of my life. After the climb, we drove to our accommodations for the night and I plopped myself into bed. Then I opened my Strava and saw that Danny had just done 32 miles with 10 pitches of climbing. Thanks for making my trip feel like a fun run 😂

[@MurrayPeeps]

That brief moment of toe before I was able to look away will haunt my dreams for a few days

[@themcbobgorge]

That static noise was SKETCHY

[@puppyburner]

Some of the best content on KZbin by a long shot

[@andrewstewart62]

I love climbing 14ers and I have never heard of anything like that static noise. I’m glad you put this out there for other climbers safety because it might just make someone aware enough to take cover when they encounter this situation. Great video as always

[@CrackkkCrazyyy]

Need lots of wind or a steeper face for more updraft then you get on most 14ers in CO

[@Robert-un3cf]

The actual sound we heard could be the camera/microphone picking up the electric field, perhaps?

[@ticklefritz5406]

The amazing thing is that this hasn't happened to you yet with as much ridge and peak time as you've seen. If you were somehow not able to scramble to some sort of delusional and meager safety the charge would have continued to build and you just may have been zapped, that's what happened to me. Pretty damn cool that you got audio and video of the static electricity building in/on you. Doesn't matter how strong or tough you are, at that moment you are just humble pie.

[@TraintoSummit]

11:14 When the buzzing starts and both of you realise and look at each other in a simultaneous OH SHIT moment is absolutely EPIC. I love your friend's toenail, a sign of some epic days on the mountain 🤟

[@BreakOutOfTheAlgorithm]

I have heard that static building up, right before I got zapped on a mountain bike 100 yards from my house. I believe if I wasn't on the bike I would have been in bad shape. My brother was on the phone at the time and he got shocked through his ear. Y'all are living right to escape that amount of electricity charged up on granite peaks. 👍

[@aodanoleary5504]

I felt your sizzle, thanks for the reality check, might save someone’s life some day.

[@Don-Michael]

I'm still mind blown that you can do hikes like this or Granite Peak in one day and still film yourself. A friend of mine is a serious peak bagger and excellent climber; even he said Granite is not even close to a one day type hike. You are a monster!

[@flukeofficial]

That look Chase gave Danny at the top was pretty eerie. Sick summit!

[@woodycarr]

Another great video! We had the buzzing happen to us on a climb of Mount Shuksan in the North Cascades National Park. Very scary. We also thought we were going to die.

[@ajduker]

Your videos deserve 10x the views they get. Incredible stuff every time!

[@ronw7667]

It's scariest when you do have the warning crackles...crawling across rock or tundra as low as humanly possible.Twice, though, I've had no warning, and what I call a static discharge happens. Both times it felt like a pointed hammer hit the top of my head, right where hair swirls out or a bald spot starts. Both of these times were inside clouds, in Colo. Don't mess with storms. Fantastic trip in the Winds, this. Slept at Island Lk twice, bugs not too bad. Cheers.

[@ProfessionalJerry]

I have felt that same static electricity on the summit of Willard Peak, UT. I basically tackled my friend to the ground haha. My mind instantly thought "lightning" I felt that same static buzz a few years later, when I was solo on the summit of Ben Lomond UT. It's weird! I remember touching my face/hair and I could REALLY feel the electricity in my hands!!! It was insane. It was so loud! It sounded like styrofoam in my ears. Hard to explain. My fingertips were buzzing! It was crazy!

[@alehax27]

I freaking love these videos. The content is unreal

[@EK-mx7zb]

You guys do rad shit. I can’t get over the miles you do, it never fails to make me feel like a weenie. Glad you all survived to travel another day.

[@jeffkelley4055]

So cool you were able to catch the audio of the static building on your dome!

[@silasmarner7586]

VERY extreme experience! I watched a special on Mt. Hood (which I've done many X) and the climbers mentioned what you experienced). Greg Childs when he did his K2 slide show, mentioned BALLS OF STATIC ROLLING DOWN THE RIDGES! AuuuuuuggghhH! Anyhow gorgeous views, great rock (compared to volcanic crud we have in Oregon-er). 30 miles... duuuuuude! A marathon AND a climb strung together. I don't think you or your compadres can be called mediocre amateurs AT ALL. Great video!

[@benzun9600]

Wind Rivers the best. Glad I live 2 hours away going again this week. Thanks for the trip I will do the long route

[@jeremyutz2260]

This has been a great video, love to see Aaron and chase too!

[@OldBenjaminKenobi]

Man this is such an under rated channel

[@speedyzolt]

Amazing view! So happy to comfortably watch you guys climb and take us on this epic journey! More videos please. Time to watch some more of your videos. Every time you guys upload a new video I have to watch some of the old ones too because they’re just so well done thank you.

[@koalakyle19]

Amazing footage capturing that static

[@JBpaulsen3]

Nice! One of my favs of yours.

[@ihearcrickets]

Threading the needle is half the battle, and you managed that in the dark, so you did alright 👍👍

[@bboss8048]

As always, simply amazing Danny!!!

[@rsmiii]

No place like the Northern Winds for afternoon thunderboomers. Glad you didn't get lit up like a book of matches! Freaky experience - I've had it more than once there in the Winds. Love those routes on the Ellingwood buttresses - good long moderate days. Nice effort!

[@johnlaine6259]

Could see the top of Haystack in 1980, my partner sue said look at your hair. I put my hand up ,it was straight up.We left in a hurry!

[@jeffreyallen1290]

You guys are still the best. I miss seeing the other guys but oh well. Keep em coming.

[@yuliyanikiforets]

That’s crazy! Thanks for recording that on camera, it was crazy to watch and educational in a way. I had no idea that could happen!

[@davidstepro7486]

That was an electrifying video!

[@alex_prizzi]

Had that same sound while coming off of the ridge on Capitol Peak in CO. Scariest moment I've ever had in the mountains.

[@jonathancaughran7250]

I’ve been in a similar situation as my wife and I topped out on Vestal peak (which you should do if you haven’t). Definitely the scariest day that I’ve experienced in the mountains.

[@sharondavis8003]

WOW 😮 Love to watch you guys climb mountains. Many people hike but fewer actually climb. Great job in the rain & lightning / static. 😱👍🏻

[@MTBfail]

Just wanted to say that I am an outdoor enthusiast but I found this channel after listening to News AF. Vascular D, you are a beast on one hand and hilarious on the other hand. I enjoy your content either way and wanted to give you a shout out.

[@Ddub799]

Stoked yall did an Ellingwood arete video. Didn't get to do this route when I was in the Winds. However I had a very similar experience on wolf's head east ridge. We sheltered in a cave just below Vator's head and when we got back to civilization learned that several parties had been struck in that very cave. We had a break in the weather and went for it (the rappel is on the summit). Lighting struck close... one of the scariest moments of my life! I thought we would get struck at any moment on the summit waiting to rappel. Cool you caught this on video! great stuff!

[@bryanclark3693]

I heard this static noise once on Capitol Peak. It was a come to Jesus moment for sure, because I thought I was going to die. But lightning didn't strike, so thank you Jesus! You are an animal. I'm impressed that you did all those pitches and then ran all the way back to the parking lot. I climbed Freemont Peak, so I know it's a long way.

[@alastairlewis7944]

Dude, you are so in shape. Causually doing 32 miles and a bunch of elevation in a day.

[@AnthonyClimbs]

one of my guides had this happen when climbing Edith Cavell, ended up dropping all there gear and taking cover only seconds later they heard a massive lightning strike and they proceeded to go back down. Needless to say he wanted to see if he could get his ice axe back the next way and went back up to the ridge where he had left it with all the groups gear...too bad all of it was incinerated together in the massive lightning strike they heard with all there stuff melted into a single pool of metal.. You're pretty lucky! xD

[@brianmyers220]

Nature can be brutal. That's a close call man. Glad y'all made it out

[@connorhuizenga4643]

Here I was thinking you finally found a route/climb difficult enough to freak you out, but nope. It was almost getting struck down by Zeus himself.

[@emilywein8956]

I am a climber and atmospheric scientist. If I saw the clouds building like you were seeing all around, I would have known convection was occurring and it would be time to get off the mountain. Even on a clear day or supposedly clear day enough moisture can do that I wouldn’t want to be anywhere NEAR a summit or ridge line when clouds like that are building. That’s how people get toasted. It’s also why I really carefully choose what days to do big routes on. Only when the moisture pushes it’s way out fully do I go. And fingers crossed, never ever been close to being in a storm on a peak.

[@koalakyle19]

BRING BACK THE YESTERDAY SONG!

[@pagewhite61]

Wow, that sound!! Scary! I’m glad you all made it off there without being deep fried to a crackley crunch. Great looking climb though. Thanks for another fun video!

[@lifeofluke]

The climbing shots on the ridge were siiiiiickkkk

[@adventureswithsammy7154]

thumbs up and a smile, thanks for sharing the passion.

[@CrackkkCrazyyy]

I spent some time at Island Lake years ago. Your stellar videography took me back to so many fond memories. Thank you.

[@haydenbrophy9460]

Nice to see you guys aren't free solo on-siting anymore!

[@benjaminlesue1372]

I was wondering what that noise was then I figured it out the same time they did. I was waiting to hear a boom of thunder. Good thing it didn't happen. I had a similar experience on Mt. Elbert. I felt the static, heard some buzzing, realized what it was happening, and yelled at my son to get down. Fun times! Mediocre video as always.

[@holymackenaw]

i read a book by Hans Kammerlander about the death of Friedl Mutschlechner on Manaslu (8163m) in 1991. Because of the burning oil fields in Kuwait the air was different and there were thunderstorms even up in the high himalayan mountains. Mutschlechner was struck by a lightning. stay save!

[@mtadams2009]

Looks like Mother Nature thankfully gave you a hall pass. It looks like it was a wonderful day. Thanks for sharing

[@car_seat]

9:34 Belayer takes his brake hand off!

[@user-sk9hl7si7l]

can you explain for newb,is it dangerous for whom ?

[@altaris2000]

@@user-sk9hl7si7l It is dangerous for the person you are belaying(the climber on the other end of the rope). If the climber happen to fall at the moment the belayer has his hand off the rope, the climber is taking a Long fall. Then with the rope moving fast at that point, it is hard to re-grab(to stop the fall) it without burning your hand.

[@harrisonaero]

Another great adventure and edit- nice!

[@P90Puma]

Largest packs ever on a Mediocre video!!! Great job Danny actually filming the climbing portion vs Exum on Teton. A+ work.

[@hikesome]

Such a nice new adventure guys ;) Enjoyed it very mucho! Beautiful climb, I had a similar "electrical incident" in the German alps. Most awkward and frightening feeling ever I ran down as fast as I could when I felt it. Take care out there. Happy trails, Mario

[@climbingkid7]

Awesome adventure. Just got back from my own to Granite Peak - originally spied it on Mediocre. Love this channel

[@BobBroeking]

great video as always... had my ice axe hum many times in my pack behind my head in the Colorado climbing in the Spring (Winter)!

[@AnselmWiercioch]

Looks pretty... Harrowing.

[@jackluke6209]

On the top of Mt Harvard (a 14er) I heard the exact same pitch of static noise, and it was right before a thunderstorm. I summited and ran down while the rain started to pour. Freaky stuff!

[@leobate-campos8608]

I really like that single cab!

[@mokefish8126]

Chase is looking full on "Under the Banner of Heaven" with that beard!

[@dwj6503]

I enjoy your videos. lightning is very scary when you are up on top of a mountain! I had some experience with that!

[@davidjohnson7484]

I've experienced that buzzing on the top of Granite Peak in Montana in 2013. It was one of the scariest things ever!

[@Nicks_Colorado_Channel]

Holy crap guys that's too gnarly. Glad y'all made it back safe

[@Anduin5]

Awesome stuff! This definitely looks like the kind of trip I’d like to do. There are tons of peaks in Washington that you can summit this way. Would need to get a lot more comfortable with trad climbing though.

[@marqde1]

Experienced a sultry nasty day crossing of Katahdin knife edge summer '70 and was caught midway in a localized storm, just a few disjointed lighting strikes and light rain enough to grease up the Pamola boulders. Frontal storm followed that night with enough thunder & lightning to knock down the mountain. Snow and lightning stopped me at the Longs Keyhole twice I was annoyed because of the long walk in, but pretty casual compared to getting to what looks like Titcomb basin in this video.

[@hordboy]

I’ve heard that crackling a few times in CO. Definitely sketches you out!

[@arron7857]

you guys are beasts! Love the videos!

[@eugenecaasi5776]

WOW. SO BRAVE SOULS

[@robfodder5575]

Great video as always! Never mind your wife's wrath from being late, you just wait till she sees your mates belaying :p (always keep hold of brake side and keep it back or you'll never hold a fall.... or belay in guide mode where the friction will hold it for ya)

[@jasonwebb6484]

I noticed that too at 9:33 - but then saw he’s topping out the pitch (basically walking to the belay). However, his wife still (understandably) may not approve.

[@robfodder5575]

@@jasonwebb6484 Yeah, I don't want to come across as a pedantic keyboard warrior, I'm far from perfect myself, but its surprising the amount of accident reports are filed from where people think they are safe, topping out, walking off, but then slip and rapidly find out they are not safe. I've also seen the result of someone trying to catch a fall when they haven't got control of the rope; missing and burnt skin from the friction is pretty horrible.

[@larryniv]

Make my day, thank you.

[@guregorihattofirudo2627]

I’d want rope on that too. On top of Shasta several years ago had that buzzing crackling shit, didn’t have to ponder, never left a summit as fast. Falling makes sense. Electrocution, just seems embarrassing. Really enjoy your content

[@Ramenscooter]

Great vids!

[@frankblangeard8865]

At 9:18 we can see that the lead climber, if he fell, would fall about thirty feet to the protection and then another thirty feet before the rope came taught at the protection. That's a lot of bouncing and scaping before coming to a halt.

[@user-sk9hl7si7l]

wow ,good catch,looks like he would be dead by the time it stops

[@P90Puma]

Who cares? Placing pro is slow, look how fast they moved, their leader there, Chase (sp?), is the most experienced climber and knows when he needs pro obviously. If you want to point out something, point out Danny's sketchy belay technique :)

[@frncscbtncrt]

This was amazing

[@Fizbini1]

Nice too see you guys doing multiptich!

[@jimbojet8728]

Did I see some dinosaur footprints in the rocks to your right as you descended. If not, it is something very similar there. A good vid. Thank you.

[@stevenmcdabbin7652]

I have sewn like half my equipment, mainly winter gear like pants gloves and jackets from trees ripping them apart. But it def isn't quick lol, I turn on some good music, pour a drink and spend an hour stitching all the things I've needed to repair

[@jazellegirl1046]

We could get struck by lightning or fall to our death any second but my wife will be upset if I’m not home by 12. LMAOOOO

[@ruggedland]

A MA video that starts with over 1 min of sewing lesson :). Never got close to that electrifying experience and hope I never will

[@RealSlopeDude]

That happened to me once when at the summit of Lone Peak in Utah. It was scary.

[@ItaiGanor]

amazing!

[@AleksandarGospic]

After all this time, I'm finally starting to get the MA videos in my recommendations immediately after the release, tides are turning, a KZbin miracle is happening! 😂😂 Yet another epic MA video from my favorite US range!

[@Andy-vl3sm]

Had that same electric sound one day up near the summit of Pfiefferhorn in Utah.. Absolutely terrifying. Glad you guys were all good, rad video?

[@TypicalBenYT]

'Like a rear view mirror ornament' - haha.

[@poisonspyder406]

Glad you guys are alright, that was close...

[@ericcomp7032]

I just visited that basin to the north of spider lakes on July 4th. Beautiful area! I was wondering the names of those peaks. Going back someday to cross over Angel Pass. Nice Vid Homie

[@wngmv]

I did fremont peak many years ago. It's very close to where they climbed. It's a class 3 scramble. The view of titcomb basin is absolutely mind blowing from 2000ft up. I've been to WA, Utah and most of the Rockies and I don't think it has been topped for me yet. I'm heading back to Cirque of the towers next time.

[@rajk8534]

Lovely content guys... neat and perfect.. really hooked to your mountain porn.. keep it climbing guys.

[@pepe.sanchez]

70k baby, finally! Onward and upward.

[@papajon62]

Yikes! Got a pass on that one. We were on Mt Sneffels in CO and had a similar experience near the summit. Scary stuff….

[@robinsmith9734]

Iron in the rock would have been the attractee, great going team. Are the rest on creative leave?

[@victoriaman117]

A new mediocre amateur! Thank you gentleman 🙏

[@silasmarner7586]

It doesn't ALWAYS go this way, but the fact that the discharge WAS occurring indicates, given the ability of the charge to leave your body, that the voltage will be limited, hopefully below breakdown in the air...

[@williamsanderson2614]

The Mediocre Amateurs should do the Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal! It would be a huge commitment but you guys would have the time of your lives.

[@zachblazek620]

This is epic.

[@ianholl9100]

3:11 Never a truer statement...Danny, "I warned you against camping,; I have always warned you guys, camping blows" . Hahahahaha