[pct-l] lightning

[David Ellzey]

My lightning story:

While attending college in Denver many years ago, a friend was teaching me hacky sack in a small city park. A thunderstorm rolled in very quickly and everyone in the park ran under this massive tree which was about 25 yards from us as the rain started coming down in buckets. 

I had lived in north Texas since the age of 12 and spent a lot of time pursuing outdoor activities. So, even at the age of 19 I knew better than to go under that tree and directed my friend to follow me to a building across the street instead.

We had just started running when the bolt struck the tree. Even though it was a good 40 yards from us I thought it had actually struck us. It took us a few seconds to realize that people were screaming and despite being frightened out of our gourds we had to go back. 

Except for helping a mildly injured people away from the tree, we were pretty useless since neither of us can any idea at the time of how to provide aid. The FD medics were there pretty quick but there were a few fatalities and a lot of serious injuries.

Needless to say, I have a lot of respect for lightning now.

BigToe

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Don Billings
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2010 5:01 PM
To: Jim Bravo
Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] lightning

Jim,

True. There were four golfers, I believe it was, who were killed on the course a number of years ago by lightning. Also, sailboaters on the East Coast, I'm told, 
head in when the threat approaches.

Lighting can strike you up to five miles away if I recall correctly. And even if it doesn't impact directly at you, it often runs sideways from its impact area which 
means the threat is there.... even on 'close calls.' The NASTY thing about lighting that I discovered is that it doesn't always kill a person as I long believed. 
Sometimes it does central nervous system damage.. and the victim is damaged for life. Wheelchair stuff.

Don



----- Original Message ----
From: Jim Bravo <jimbravo at wildblue.net>
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Sent: Thu, March 25, 2010 2:12:43 PM
Subject: [pct-l]  lightning

Ray Jardine's classic book "Beyond Backpacking" has a good chapter on lightning dangers and how to deal with them, as well as a number of other outdoor situations. Highly recommended reading. Despite the statement of a respected forum contributor, I would certainly not "use anything in my pack as if there were no lightning", that is to say, any metallic object. As one example, Jardine warns of the danger of holding an umbrella with a metal shaft. Another example is the threat that golfers face when holding a metal club. Professional golf tournaments are immediately suspended when lightning even threatens.

As an aside, I was at the supermarket in Placerville yesterday and saw an old friend, Peter, who I had worked with for 20 years before I retired. He asked what I was up to these days and I replied that I was going to hike the PCT this year. He said "Oh, my sister hiked that trail and helped write a book about it". I asked what her name was, and Peter replied "Jenny, she's married to Ray Jardine".

Same trip to supermarket. Used men's room, looked in mirror, for first time ever saw hiker trash looking back at me. Whew, not a positive experience. I guess this is what happens when you have just finished an all-day training hike, stop shaving two months ago, have significantly lessened your shower frequency, and started eating boxed food from convenience stores to test it out.

Jim
Straywolf
_______________________________________________
Pct-l mailing list
Pct-l at backcountry.net
To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l

List Archives:
http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/



      
_______________________________________________
Pct-l mailing list
Pct-l at backcountry.net
To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l

List Archives:
http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com 
Version: 9.0.791 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2769 - Release Date: 03/25/10 00:33:00