Storms above timberline?

[Bowhuntr64]

I'm getting ready to head out on my much anticipated solo hunt in SW Colorado. I'm psyched. But I must admit, I am also a bit scared. I need to pack in across about 7 miles of open country along the continental divide and there is an 80% chance of rain and thunderstorms on the day I arrive.

How scared are you of lightening when you're above timber? If a thunderstorm moves in, do you always drop below timberline and do you move camp there...or do you ride it out? If you set up camp above timber, what do you consider "enough" rocks, valleys, saddles to protect you from a storm?

What tips and experiences can you share with me?

 

[5MilesBack]

There's only one thing that scares me in the mountains, and that's lightning. Scary stuff when it rolls in in seconds and just hammers around you. About 8 years ago I got stuck on a peak at around 13k feet and this storm moved in so quick you could barely see it coming. Lightning shooting down from blue sky......rain, hail, extremely strong winds, and non-stop lightning and deafening thunder for about 20 minutes. Not fun. I was huddled in a ball with my hands covering my ears and my rain jacket over me the whole time.

Good luck.

 

[westrnwild]

my only tip is...don't be caught up high and out in the open during a lightning storm, especially here in Colorado. Unfortunately that sounds like your path at this point. I got stuck in a bad lighting storm back in July up high, freaking scary.. i ran a little over 6 miles as fast as i could to get down into the timber, like 5milesBack said they can just jump on top of you with out warning...sucks!

 

[usmc99]

Good Topic. I was wondering the same thing. I was thinking just get as low as possible and hope for the best

 

[justinspicher]

I was out yesterday in SW Colorado doing trail work at timberline, the storm rolled in quick and we left directly in a hurry. No point risking it, the lightening doesn't discriminate.

 

[PhatSki]

Having been a mountaineering guide for the past 20 years I have been caught in my fair share of lightning storms and they can be pretty scary. We always try to get down below timberline, but most of the time we are way above timberline which necessitates us just riding it out in our tents and hoping for the best. Typically throw as much metal (ice axes, crampons, stoves...etc) as far from camp as possible then hunker on top of sleeping pads with ears covered. When the metal starts buzzing and your hair stands up it can get scary, but not much you can do.

 

[Davebuech]

Bowhuntr64. You've got good reason to be concerned. As mentioned lightning is nothing to be caught out in and it can move in real quick in the mountains.
I was over near Cochetopa pass last week, near the divide. My wife and I ended up on a 30+ mile mountain bike ride that kept us out later in the day than anticipated. On the way back weather started moving in. Fortunately, we were able to cross a large open meadow quickly before the storm was in reach and stayed low following a creek on the way back as it was starting to rain. We were always looking ahead to find a shelter in the rocks or trees in case all heck broke loose and kept one in sight at all times. Just after we got to camp, hail the size of marbles ripped loose and lightning to beat the band. Not to mention high winds and then more rain.
Advice? Always keep your eyes on the sky and listen for thunder. Get off the ridge lines and to look for cover immediately when a storm is approaching. Don't cross open meadows unless you know you can get across well before an oncoming storm. Keep a tarp, contractor bag or poncho handy for quick deployment in case of hail or downpour and always be prepared to take shelter wherever it may be.
Afternoon and evening thunderstorms have been regular around here the past few weeks. Some severe. Plan accordingly.

 

[BroodBuster]

My number 1 fear in the mountains too. When I'm scouting a new area finding what I call bolt holes is my first priority. If I'm moving across unfamiliar territory I'm constantly identifying spots to safely ride out a storm. If I know I've got a 5 mile ridge walk I'll time it for early morning to avoid afternoon storms. When setting up camp I check all the trees for lighting strikes. It can be amazing how in one spot many of the trees have been exploded by lightning but just 100 yards away the trees are pretty much unaffected. Because of lightning I almost never camp on ridgetops.

In your case I'd either find an alternate valley approach or hike the 7 miles in the darkness prior to sunrise.

 

[Bowhuntr64]

I just read a stat that said Colorado has had 17 deaths by lightening strikes in the past 10 years combined. I heard on the weather the other day that the average is 3 per year. So either 2 or 3 per year. That struck me as super low. I know a hiker was killed earlier this week near Ft. Collins. As scared as I am of lightening, do you think we are "over" scared, given these stats?

 

[Where's Bruce?]

I just read a stat that said Colorado has had 17 deaths by lightening strikes in the past 10 years combined. I heard on the weather the other day that the average is 3 per year. So either 2 or 3 per year. That struck me as super low. I know a hiker was killed earlier this week near Ft. Collins. As scared as I am of lightening, do you think we are "over" scared, given these stats?

When hunting elk in the Kaibab a storm moved in and we ran outta there and to the relative safety of the truck. After it blew through we returned to the area we were before to find small fires, smoldering trunks and blown apart trees. Was glad we left in time. Lightning is my second biggest fear in the mountains but Gravity is number one. <g>

 

[woodmoose]

as others have, I rode out a T-Storm in Colorado alpine,,,,,with hail,,,,,chunked my bow one direction and laid there with my eyes squeezed shut,,,,,,can admit that it about the scariest thing I have been through,,,,,lightening so close you could "see" it through closed eyes,,,,,hail was like snow cover when it ended,,,,,,,,

lightening demands respect!

 

[5MilesBack]

As scared as I am of lightening, do you think we are "over" scared, given these stats?

Just like any other dangers, we take as many and all precautions as we can, but when it comes we're at God's mercy on that one. Not much else you can do at that point. It's not like a bear or cat attack where you can fight back......we're completely out of its control. But it definitely demands our respect in any and all instances. It doesn't discriminate.......if you're close to a hit, you're at risk.

 

[IdahoElk]

When I hear rumbling off in the distance you can bet you won't catch me on any exposed ridge line,had it happen a few times,not pleasant having bolts drop around you with your hair standing up,ah the smell of ozone!

 

[Olsolitaire1]

Last I knew was that Colorado ranks #2 to FL. for lightening strikes, I would have thought this year we would have had more deaths than that? There was like 4 or 5 last year I thought?

But no matter how many, don't add to the count. Stay low, but don't lay down, squat with both feet together. Get away from all your metal, do not try to run from it, cause you can step into it. This is what we call step potential. Temps will drop, hail will come. Have some dry clothes. Been through several of these up there (when caught) and it is scary! Hair does stand up you can feel it all around you, the ground shakes, your ears hurt and your heart pumps, what a rush after! Lightening does come out of the blue as they say, as far as ten miles away, keep an eye & ear out for distance storms, it is for real.

If anyone is headed out this opening weekend be prepared, right now here in western CO. at lower elev. it is raining, and lightening all around us is socked in. The higher elev. are also calling for some snow. We had some last week already.

Good Luck be safe, see you next week

Bill

 

[BroodBuster]

Regarding the odds I like to refer to an old Navy Aviators saying. "A 99% chance of success is a 1% chance of being 100% dead."

And yes I'm fully aware that I am one of those "overly" scared people.

I'm sort of fascinated in how different folks assess risk differently. I hike after dark a lot. I'll be hitting the trailhead tomorrow evening around 7-8ish arriving at camp around Midnight. I've got several friends who think that is totally crazy. Lions and tigers and bears oh my! Yet they will blissfully walk a ridge in a gathering afternoon storm. Oh my!

 

[5MilesBack]

I'm sort of fascinated in how different folks assess risk differently.

Dying doesn't scare me, but living scares the hell out of me.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Regarding the odds I like to refer to an old Navy Aviators saying. "A 99% chance of success is a 1% chance of being 100% dead."

And yes I'm fully aware that I am one of those "overly" scared people.

I'm sort of fascinated in how different folks assess risk differently. I hike after dark a lot. I'll be hitting the trailhead tomorrow evening around 7-8ish arriving at camp around Midnight. I've got several friends who think that is totally crazy. Lions and tigers and bears oh my! Yet they will blissfully walk a ridge in a gathering afternoon storm. Oh my!

I've hiked in unfamiliar woods in the wee hours countless times, a heavy snap sound or growl will get my attention but a thunder clap will get me moving!