Thunderstorms

[teachski]

We just had a wicked Thunderstorm here. I can't fall back to sleep so I thought I'd post this question to the hikers out there.
What do you do if you are on a long hike and a t-storm pops up?

What do you do if you are overnighting and there is a severe t-storm?

Just interested.

 

[Greg]

We just had a wicked Thunderstorm here. I can't fall back to sleep so I thought I'd post this question to the hikers out there.
What do you do if you are on a long hike and a t-storm pops up?

Put on your raingear and get below treeline or out of exposed areas.

What do you do if you are overnighting and there is a severe t-storm?

Hunker down and hope there aren't any "widowmakers" nearby. My brother and I were camped out in the Northwest CT hills once with only a tarp as our shelter. Wicked storms all night. Kind of unnerving, but a lot of fun. We luckily stayed dry...

 

[Greg]

Here are two pics from the storms we had yesterday afternoon around 6 PM.

This cloud was swirling ominously:

Caught this bolt:

 

[pedxing]

If I'm hiking, I will try to reduce my exposure to the lightning. I'll look for good shelter. Once, as a teenager I was trapped on Franconia ridge... we got ourselves into some crevices and sheltered there until the storm passed by.

If I'm already in my tent or hammock, I'll sit tight and enjoy the drama (assuming that I had the foresight to set up for a storm, otherwise I may rush out and make adjustments). Sometimes I'll be pretty slow getting up and out if the storm is still on in the morning.

 

[teachski]

The storm was bad here. The fire department had several calls including one to Pine Ridge Ski Area. Below is an article about the fire that I wrote and sent to another website.

Fire Damages Ski Area Rental Building
by Laurie Puliafico

Barre, MA, In the early morning hours of August 21,2004 the fire struck the Ski Rental Shop at the Pine Ridge Ski Area. A line of severe thunderstorms that had passed through the area is the suspected cause of this blaze.

The fire was discovered in the ski rental building at around 4:30 AM. Town employees traveling between South Street and South Barre Road via Stetson Road spotted the fire and called it in to dispatch. Firefighters returning from another storm related call arrived at Pine Ridge within moments.

The firefighters aided by the heavy rain were able to quickly contain the blaze that heavily damaged the fitting area of the rental shop. Skis, boots and snowboards sustained smoke and water damage. The actual extent of damage has not been determined at this time. It appears as id the building may have sustained some structural damage, however.

I have a couple pictures that I will try to post later. My site is down and I can't upload them.
OK, here they are...the article too: http://teachski.com/PineRidge/fire.htm

 

[Greg]

I have a couple pictures that I will try to post later. My site is down and I can't upload them.
OK, here they are...the article too: http://teachski.com/PineRidge/fire.htm

Pretty close to that propane tank!

After an afternoon full of wicked storms, it has cleared nicely. We were also treated to this nice rainbow and sunset this evening:

The atmosphere is drying out and tomorrow should make for a great day for a jaunt up Bear Mountain!

 

[teachski]

Yes. it was. The tank, according to my source, was being "licked" by the flames when they got there. Water went on to it immediately.
Had it not still been pouring out I would have ventured closer and got some pictures of the inside too

 

[smitty77]

The storm was bad here. The fire department had several calls including one to Pine Ridge Ski Area.[/b][/i]

Teachski,
I just found out that a guy I work with lives almost at the base of that ski area. He also mentioned the storms being bad enough to keep him awake afterwards as well. He had a few heavy storms roll through with some close lightning, but no damage.

As for hiking advice, I'd try to get below treeline if it is a viable option (ie within a 5 minute walk or so) but if things are real close just crouch down as low as possible, but don't sit down. You want to minimize your height and your contact with the earth. Then pray.

 

[teachski]

Teachski, I just found out that a ...gh with some close lightning, but no damage.

I probably know him. Especially if he has been in Barre for any time.
...hmmm...he wouldn't happen to be "Steve" would he? (just thinking of the people I know that live around there, this seems like a reasonable guess)

 

[smitty77]

...he wouldn't happen to be "Steve" would he?

Nope. Arthur. He grew up in Barre (he's 69) and he's been living in his current house for quite some time.

Smitty

 

[teachski]

Ah, yes. I was thinking younger! He is probably familiar with me, or at least my family name, "Puliafico". I know his son "Artie", if I am thinking of the same one, but I am older than his son. Actually, if I am thinking of the right one, part of his land is used for the beginner's slope.

The gray buildings you see in this picture are his. The house is on the left. I was standing at the back right corner of the rental shop when I took this picture a couple years ago .

 

[smitty77]

Actually, if I am thinking of the right one, part of his land is used for the beginner's slope.

Yeah, that's him. He always jokes that he really owns the ski area but works for our company because it gives him something to do in the summer.

 

[Mike P.]

If above treeline on a ridge, get down into any cover quickly. (was caught on Eisenhower once) if on rock, kneel on a pad or your pack (thinking an external won't help much for insulating you from the ground) in order to get off rock. Little caves, overhangs should be avoided as the lightening can travel down & discharge into the open area you are occupying.

Should you be ascending when T-storms are approaching? While widow makers are an issue, do aluminum tent poles increase your risk of being hit?