Safety and Education—Lightning Safety

Do this, not that, if a thunderstorm hits while you’re hiking!

• Don’t: Don’t be above treeline.
• Do: Stay below treeline, avoiding summits and open areas, when a storm is forecasted or if you see or hear signs of one.
• Why?: Lightning tends to strike the tallest object on a landscape. So if you are standing in an open area, you are the tallest object in that landscape.

• Don’t: Don’t seek shelter under an isolated tree or the tallest tree nearby.
• Do: Seek shelter in a low stand of trees.
• Why?: Aside from direct lightning strikes, you could also be affected by a ground strike. Ground strikes are when people are shocked by electricity traveling through the ground. So if you’re directly next to the tree that happens to be the tallest object on the landscape, and that tree gets struck, the ground current could travel to you and you could get the brunt of the shock.

• Don’t: Don’t rely on laying or sitting down.
• Do: Prioritize getting to a safer location if possible (either below treeline or at least to a lower part of the landscape).
• Why?: You may think laying or sitting keeps you safe from lightning as it can reduce your likelihood of being the tallest object on a landscape, but it actually can put you at a higher risk of ground strikes. Crouching is preferred over laying or sitting because less of your body is making contact with the ground, but getting to a safer location is the only true reliable option!

Remember: The safest place to be when lightning is near is indoors. Check the forecast frequently. Watch for darkening skies, increasing winds, and listen for the rumble of thunder. Thunderstorms typically develop in the early afternoon in mountainous areas. Reschedule if need be. The mountains will always be there!