Lightning Hazard
Overview
Lightning hazard refers to the risk posed by electrical storms, particularly in exposed terrain where hikers may be vulnerable to strikes.
Key points
- Most dangerous on ridgelines, summits, open meadows, and near isolated trees.
- Storms can develop rapidly, especially in mountainous regions.
- Risk reduction involves monitoring weather patterns and avoiding exposed areas during storms.
- Emergency positions and safe zones can reduce injury risk.
Details
Lightning presents a significant hazard in the backcountry, especially during summer thunderstorms. Hikers must pay attention to weather forecasts, cloud development, and storm progression. When lightning is imminent, descending to lower terrain and avoiding conductive features are essential. Safety protocols include spacing group members apart and avoiding contact with metal gear. While rare, lightning-related injuries are often severe.
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Illustrative hiking footage
The following external videos offer general visual context for typical hiking environments. They are not official route recommendations, safety instructions, or planning tools.