Mountaineering Routes : Page 331

The cave shown is similar to the one in which an accident on Bugaboo Spire took place in which lightning indirectly caused the death of two climbers and nearly killed two others. The potential gradient is seen to be high in the vicinity of the cave, owing to the steepness of the floor and sides. It is presumed that this is the reason for the injury and deaths, inasmuch as a direct strike inside the cave is highly unlikely. All were leaning against the rock at the time of the discharge, which would account for the burns that they suffered on the back and legs. From an analysis of this situation, it would seem that a position on the somewhat level portion of the ridge would have been safer.