Missing hunters in Colorado

I had a strange experience hunting in rain that turned to heavy sleet, that I wouldn’t have believed if someone else told the story. I‘ve hunted in rain that turned to snow my whole life and always have enough insulation and Goretex to hunt in the wind and snow, but this was the heaviest sleet I’ve been in and it was different - much colder than a snowy day. At the point heavy sleet had been falling about two hours I was too cold to not shake and had to stop to make a fire even though I was hiking up hill. Something about 100% humidity and 32 degree temps just really sucked the heat out of me.
 
In reference to people getting hit by lightening and having no side effects:

Obviously there are those instances where nothing happens but the alternatives aren’t as lucky. I have an acquaintance whose daughter was struck by lightning. She is wheelchair bound for the rest of her life and unable to take care of herself.
 
Been following this one and for some reason it hits different. Can’t quit thinking about it and what may have transpired and what they were thinking/going through with whatever happened. Praying for the families of these guys.

Wasn’t there a thread somewhere on here discussing high country lightning and safety?… not that we know for sure that was the case at this point. “Weather related” is pretty vague.
 
I didn’t read every post in here, so if I missed anyone commenting on the importance of bringing rain gear with them at all times, I apologize. However, if it hasn’t been mentioned, I would HIGHLY suggest that anyone who doesn’t think they need rain gear for a western hunt reevaluate that decision.

I have seen a lot of posts in this discussion regarding the importance of bringing some kind of satellite device, and even guys saying they will upgrade their plans associated with the devices they own because it’s cheap insurance. That’s wise, but I would also add that rain gear is not only cheap insurance, but will provide an immediate and more useful purpose than even a critically important device like an In Reach in the event you find yourself in a downpour or sustained wet weather. Having the ability to stay dry in soaking rain, or even use the rain gear as a wind layer to stay warmer is something that some probably won’t realize until they’re in a situation where standing under a tree won’t keep you dry, or getting soaked on a hike out in a sustained rain could be at the minimum miserable, but also put your life in danger.

A quality, waterproof hard shell jacket and pants are not a substantial weight penalty, and some of the better fabrics will even have a higher hydrostatic head (water repellency) that far exceeds the fabric of the majority of tents on the market.
 
Rain gear isn't going to help you in a bad injury situation. I can crawl up underneath a dense fir tree and stay mostly dry. I'd rather be able to signal for help, if needed.
 
I've pretty much always got a 10' silnylon tarp in my backpack that we've ridden out a ton of storms in while hiking, fishing or hunting the Colorado backcountry. You can even get a fire going under silnylon without damaging it. Really great piece of safety gear to have.
 
3forks said:
I didn’t read every post in here, so if I missed anyone commenting on the importance of bringing rain gear with them at all times, I apologize. However, if it hasn’t been mentioned, I would HIGHLY suggest that anyone who doesn’t think they need rain gear for a western hunt reevaluate that decision.

I have seen a lot of posts in this discussion regarding the importance of bringing some kind of satellite device, and even guys saying they will upgrade their plans associated with the devices they own because it’s cheap insurance. That’s wise, but I would also add that rain gear is not only cheap insurance, but will provide an immediate and more useful purpose than even a critically important device like an In Reach in the event you find yourself in a downpour or sustained wet weather. Having the ability to stay dry in soaking rain, or even use the rain gear as a wind layer to stay warmer is something that some probably won’t realize until they’re in a situation where standing under a tree won’t keep you dry, or getting soaked on a hike out in a sustained rain could be at the minimum miserable, but also put your life in danger.

A quality, waterproof hard shell jacket and pants are not a substantial weight penalty, and some of the better fabrics will even have a higher hydrostatic head (water repellency) that far exceeds the fabric of the majority of tents on the market.
Click to expand...
Yes! I don’t think anyone has a great chance relying on one means of survival. Staying alive until help arrives and calling for help ups your odds. Also having the right clothes to move during bad weather can be the difference maker when you might not be injured or lost, you just need to get back to the camp or truck before it gets worse.
 
NRA4LIFE said:
Rain gear isn't going to help you in a bad injury situation. I can crawl up underneath a dense fir tree and stay mostly dry. I'd rather be able to signal for help, if needed.
Click to expand...
The nice thing about living in America is that you can have both rain gear and a signal device at the same time!
 
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