A huge lightning bolt strikes behind the Empire State Building, as seen from our 22nd Floor hotel room in New York City. October 11, 2010.

Looking north from Mount Jefferson’s summit to (L-R) 14,410-ft Mount Rainier, 11,239-ft Mount Hood and 12,276-ft Mount Adams. Lionshead, a lesser volcano in the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, is in the foreground. July 13, 2010.

On the summit of 10,497-foot Mount Jefferson, about 70 miles south-southeast of Salem, Oregon. Matt, Rodney and Owen celebrated their achievement on the tiny summit without anyone else around. What a day! July 13, 2010.

Setting the route on the East side of the North Pinnacle. This was low 5th Class climbing, as the normal 4th Class route was not a safe option. July 13, 2010.

TMG Guide Rodney Sofich explores options for a route to the summit of the North Pinnacle of Mount Jefferson. The North Ridge, Lionshead and Mount Hood provide the backdrop. July 13, 2010.

The shadow of Mount Jefferson projects on the clouds and land below, as seen from the West Face traverse at 6:09 AM. July 13, 2010.

Rodney Sofich of Timberline Mountain Guides admires the South Pinnacle of Mount Jefferson from 10,100 feet on the Red Saddle. We would then traverse to the West and summit the mountain via the North Pinnacle. July 13, 2010.

Looking at the South Peak of Broken Top with 9,065-foot Mount Bachelor in the distance. Broken Top gets its name from its multiple peaks and “broken” look. The volcano exploded like Mount Saint Helens thousands of years ago and is now extinct and crumbling. July 4, 2010.

A self-portrait of Matt on the summit of 9,175-foot Broken Top, with the Three Sisters in the distance. The three 10,000+ foot mountains are within 4-8 miles away. July 4, 2010.