Lightning in the backcountry is a real threat to the hiker or backpacker. As of this writing there have been 26 lightning deaths in 2015 (in the United States). Snakes kill roughly 5 hikers per year and bears only 2 (CDC 2005 data). So if you worry about bears and snakes, perhaps you’re worrying about the wrong thing!
Do you find these numbers shocking? Remember, the odds of being struck by lightning are minuscule. So don’t get amped-up over them. There are more credible reasons why you might not make it ohm.
Lightning Strikes
Mountains make their own weather and storms can move surprisingly fast. You might find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time. So you should know what to do when a lightning storm approaches.
Let’s take a look at this lighthearted video that busts some myths about lightning and lightning safety. The National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) filmed it. The school produces a wide variety of instructional materials for running safe backcountry trips.
Let me know what you think of the video in the comments, below. Have you ever been caught in a mountain storm?
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