Summer thunderstorms

[Ohbjuan]

I am new to hiking up at the tram this year and I have a question for you veterans. With the monsoon season coming, what is the best thing to do if caught in a thunderstorm?

Let's say you are up there between Round Valley and Wellmans Divide or something.

Don't really want to get hit by lighting if I can avoid it.

[Hikin_Jim]

rubber umbrella.

[halhiker]

RUN!

Actually, stay away from high or exposed areas. Crouch down to make yourself small. Try to stay out of the open, if possible or away from tall trees. Hand all your metal objects to your hiking partner.

[Ohbjuan]

RUN!

Hand all your metal objects to your hiking partner.

Ok, I will let my wife know she has to hold my golf club and metal umbrella.

I'm guessing hide around big rocks away from trees if possible?

I know it can't be much of an issue or we would see stories every year about the poor hiker that got zapped, but I was just wondering.

[Florian]

I think pretty much what Hal said. If looks threatening stay low and keep off ridges and peaks. I've heard crouching on the balls of your feet using rubber soles for insulation is good idea and i'd prolly do that if caught in a really intense lightning storm. Otherwise i just try to keep out of the rain.

-Florian

[neverwashasbeen]

Your best bet is to monitor the weather forecasts and try not to be there if thundershowers are coming. If you do see them coming, leave. Being close is not fun

[Ohbjuan]

Thanks everyone, I always check the weather before going up and would of course stay away if storms were being predicted, but sometimes the weather experts are not always right.

[Hikin_Jim]

Seriously, stay away from rocks. A lightning strike near rocks will reverberate around.

If particularly heave T-storms are predicted on a certain day, the best advice is to stay out of the mountains that day. If you're in a period of time where we're getting routine T-storms every day for a while ("monsoon season"), then at least be off of high exposed areas by noon. Yes, lightning strikes happen before noon, but not as much.

If you are ever caught out, taking shelter in a forest of fairly uniformly sized trees is good. Standing near a particularly tall tree is bad. It's best to disperse. If your hair starts standing on end, that's a very bad sign. Sit on your pack and pull your knees to your chest so as little as possible of you touches the ground.

Given that the summit hut is rock, I'm not sure if it would be a wise choice to take shelter there or not, although it should keep the rain off.

HJ

[Ohbjuan]

Seriously, stay away from rocks. A lightning strike near rocks will reverberate around.

If particularly heave T-storms are predicted on a certain day, the best advice is to stay out of the mountains that day. If you're in a period of time where we're getting routine T-storms every day for a while ("monsoon season"), then at least be off of high exposed areas by noon. Yes, lightning strikes happen before noon, but not as much.

If you are ever caught out, taking shelter in a forest of fairly uniformly sized trees is good. Standing near a particularly tall tree is bad. It's best to disperse. If your hair starts standing on end, that's a very bad sign. Sit on your pack and pull your knees to your chest so as little as possible of you touches the ground.

Given that the summit hut is rock, I'm not sure if it would be a wise choice to take shelter there or not, although it should keep the rain off.

HJ

Man, maybe I will just stay home and drink beer instead!

Just kidding. I will just watch the weather reports and keep away for sure if there is any chance of T storms.

[Hikin_Jim]

Man, maybe I will just stay home and drink beer instead!

That's the spirit!

HJ