I’m a little worried about thunderstorms on the trail. Is it too dangerous to sleep in my tent during a thunderstorm? Even if I am in a densly forested area that is not exposed, should I still get to one of the shelters and sleep there for the night? Would it just be a good idea to set up my tent every night somewhere near a shelter so I can be safe if a thunderstorm does start? Am I being a wuss or should I be extremely careful about this?
WFU Hiker
You’re being a wuss.
I don’t think lightening is something to worry about while in your tent at night. Getting your tent drenched and having to deal with it in the storm is a hassle though. Lightening is more of a hazard when you’re hiking on an exposed ridgeline. If it gets too bad, it is recommended that you crouch down on your sleeping pad and wait it out.
Grimace
Good, so I am being a wuss.
Even if I am above 4,000 feet, you still think I’m alright as long as I am not exposed?
WFU Hiker
No, just…curious lets say. I have a pic of me jumping in the air with trekking poles right after a storm at 12,000’…on a rock. What a dumgrass now that I look back. poof:bawling
Nice metal roof on most of those shelters with mice.
Bushwhack
Your the metal roof isn’t a problem nor is your tent pole unless your in the middle of a large meadow or bald. If your camped under trees your biggest lightning danger comes from a grounding where a tree gets struck and the shock is disapaited through the ground. However, the chance of this happening is very unlikely. Since what are the odd of getting struck by lightning.
Now I have been on top of balds during a lightning. I also ran down Mount Washington when a thunder storm rolled in while I was hiking. Now that was fun!
I have never worried about the weather in my tent or in a shelter and I’ve been through a few storms.
Darth Pacman
If you are on top of a bald in a big thunderstorm with lightning strikes all around, then you are being foolish and asking for it. Likewise if you are on an open beach or on a boat and you are right in the middle of it, then you are asking for it. But if you are not on top of anything really high and you are not the highest of objects around and you don’t stand directly under the highest of objects, then you are fairly safe. Watch out where you pitch your tent during thunderstorm, look for overhead dead branches that can take you out. It has happened. Just be careful and try to be as safe as possible, and you should be okay. Keep on hiking.
Maintain
Man, we were in Maryland about a day out of H.P. and the lightning on that mountain was really close. Same thing happened around Humpback rock Va. Close but cool. Dont underestimate Mother Nature, she can get ya if she wants ya!
Virginian
You are in no greater danger in your tent than in a shelter. The shelter is no protection – except against rain if it’s not raining too hard and the roof doesn’t leak. Best is to avoid hiking across open ridges or fields during a storm, but it isn’t always possible. As others have said, the chances of getting struck are very low. That said, I do know two AT hikers who were struck by lightning. Not killed, just knocked off their feet. I’ve had a few occasions when it was quite close, but have been lucky, so far.
Ginny
From the Red Cross:
"Protecting Yourself Outside from lightning:
“Many small open shelters on athletic fields, golf courses, schoolyards, etc are designed to protect people from rain and sun, but not lightning. A shelter that is not grounded from the roof to ground is not safe. Small wooden, vinyl, or metal sheds offer little or no protection from lightning and should be avoided during thunderstorms.”
http://www.redcross.org/test/quiz/LightningQuestions.doc;)
jkfloy
My eagle scout friend reminds me that if you are in or near a storm and you feel your hair begin to rise up off your head, drop immediately to the ground in the tucked position described in jkfloy’s post.
Hair-raising is a sign of very high electricity and a sign that lightening is about to strike at or near where you are!
texangie
Not only should you squat down and get as small as possible if there is lightning, you should also squat with your feet together, touching. It’s not that you’ll get hit by lightning that you have to worry so much about. Lightning can travel through the earth. The reason people die is because the lightning enters one foot, goes up the leg to the heart, and out the body somewhere, instant death. If your feet are kept together, the lightning will not go up the leg but will shoot through both feet and back into the ground. The path of least resistance. You’ll suffer burnt feet, but be alive. Do NOT lay down on the ground!! I learned this in my meteorology class in college. I hope I don’t ever have to use this bit of knowledge, but it is good to know.
Mary
People who have been struck by lightening have reported increased psychic powers, similar to near-death experiencers. They can read other people’s minds and see into the future. I myself have been struck by lightening and know the world will end in 2012. I also know now that my wife is faking it at night. So if you want to realise your full potential, reach for the sky.
Totem Pole
Totem - can you please give me the time and date? I want to be sure and get a good viewing spot.
Harlz
Hellova Christmas present. Will it be fire or ice? Lightning maybe?
Please, just don’t let it be snakes…
Harlz