High Elevation Hiking Tips and Lightning Storm Protection - CleverHiker.com

[@JasonHill_JCode]

I have to say, you are a far better actor than 90% of the reenactment actors on TV. I particularly liked your 'spinal damage' finger twitching from the first aid vid and I was totally sold by your elevation fatigue :) Really appreciate these videos. After being off the trails for way too many years but planning to get back out there this summer, they are a GREAT brush up! Thanks!

[@CleverHiker]

Lol! Thanks Jason! You're the man. I'm definitely not going to quit my day job to take up acting anytime soon, but I really appreciate the support. Just trying to put out some entertaining and educational content. I'm so happy you liked my videos. Have a great time getting back on the trail!

[@ronaldrose7593]

Hello Dave, thank you for sharing the great pointers regarding lighting and high elevation hiking. Take care and be safe out there.

[@lalometalik]

That Summit Fever is REAL. Got me to plenty of peaks

[@giamademedoit]

''the mountains will aways be there but you might not'' :D :D

[@samarseneault2182]

Another tip for the lightning cover position is the touch your heels together so if ever you get a shock from a near hit (few feet away), the current won't go through your heart. If there is a contact low to the ground it will take the easiest route. Edit: typo

[@nodescriptionavailable3842]

Emancipator! Watching this on my front porch as a crazy lightning storm moves through the Superstition Mountains and Subscribed

[@jamesprivate9832]

This video saved my life. Thank you.

[@Barefootjake]

Some nice tips here. Thanks for taking the time to walk us through these.

[@CleverHiker]

Anytime Jake. I've got some more great content on the way too. Hope you enjoy!

[@kellenrobbins4395]

Thanks for another great video Dave. These videos have been some of the best for me when going ultralight and learning trail safety, keep them coming:)

[@CleverHiker]

Thanks Kellen! I'm really happy to hear that they've been helpful!

[@MortalityMotivation]

Super helpful. Thanks!

[@josephhickman4849]

Fantastic and very well put together videos, I love them

[@CleverHiker]

Thanks so much Joseph!

[@algobo]

Great video, thanks a lot!

[@CleverHiker]

You are so very welcome! Thank you for the kind note.

[@Onkar14]

Very Informative Video.

[@dylanfleming2903]

Another great video. I never even would of thought about elevation sickness. Good to know

[@CleverHiker]

Thanks Dylan. Yeah, elevation sickness is real and it's definitely something to consider, especially when trekking in popular high-elevation areas like Colorado. Many people don't know the dangers and put themselves at serious risk.

[@PantheraOnca60]

Great video; I've just subscribed to your channel. I'm always amazed when I'm coming down the trail from a high ridge or summit by noon, with clouds already building above me -- I've seen a mere wisp of water vapor turn to a full-on storm in less than 30 minutes -- while others are on their way _up_, oblivious to the gathering clouds. I once told a meteorologist friend that I'm so careful about lightning above treeline, it probably constituted a full-on phobia. His reply was that lightning is so dangerous above treeline, there's no way to be phobic about it, lol.

[@CleverHiker]

Thanks Michael! I appreciate the feedback.

[@cardiacbob]

Thanks for the video. Its a good refresher. I was in 10th Mountain Division for three years, and have some high altitude experience, including a bout of AMS. Good information.

[@Bemmski3]

Very informative !! Even perfectly understandable for an non English native!! Keep going Dave! Thumps up!

[@danbauer6871]

These videos have excellent content and are well done.

[@SethJayson]

Good summary. I was riding a bike home on a trail one day, clear skies, but thunderstorms a few miles to either side of me. I felt my scalp tingling and (being ignorant at the time) wondered what was going on. BANG, a bolt broke above me. I don't know where it hit. I felt nothing, but it really scared me. I found out later that the charge I'd felt meant I was really in the danger zone. There were tall metal electrical towers along the trail, so I imagine it hit one of those. I'm not sure I'd have had time to get in a crouch even if I'd known what was going on. It happened within seconds.

[@uctt24]

Like watching the videos! And all the good tips! Keep on keepin on!

[@CleverHiker]

Thanks so much uctt24!

[@TomsBackwoods]

Great video Dave!

[@CleverHiker]

Thanks Tom!

[@kevineverett4452]

Thanks Dave your videos are awesome I'm starting too hike more it's amazing and fun I'm loving it thank you. All I need too know is what pants are light too wear not heavy pants please help thanks Dave.

[@doyouevennaturebro4593]

I got stuck in a lightening and hail storm today while hiking. That shit was frightening.

[@CleverHiker]

For real. I’ve been there myself as well. Things can get very scary very fast. Always good to be prepared and know what to do.

[@qwhsbsuqb5129]

Great vid dave

[@CleverHiker]

Thanks!

[@dtroy15]

Is a lightening storm what happens when I heft my pack and start pitching stuff because it's too heavy? ;) Great video.

[@CleverHiker]

+dtroy15 Lol! Oops! Thanks for the heads up. Funny line too ;)

[@SolarReturn1966]

What about tornados and your out in the middle of nowhere? I never could understand the logic of jumping in a ditch when the ditches majorly flood during a severe storm, not to mention lightning and hail!😁 Curious though, where do the wild animals all go during storms? Great video Dave!

[@CleverHiker]

+SolarReturn Thanks for the comment! Honestly, I've never really thought about what to do if a tornado hit. The possibility is so insanely rare where I hike that I've never really thought about it. I'd probably try to find shelter wherever I could. But that's a good one. You stumped me!

[@sincitycapital]

I love the idea of hiking during a storm! Am I the only one? Should I really have to worry about getting struck by lightning?

[@theLifeofTahir]

Steven id say above the treeline or when exposed yes. If you’re in a valley, or depression, you’re probably fine.

[@lalometalik]

I hiked the Mt. Baldy Summit on a very stormy day. Yes there was lightning. Yes we took shelter and waited out the storm. Yes we continued, although it was highly suggested that we do not. It was the most absolute best experience at Baldy and on any peak. Take the risk, mate.

[@nicholskk]

Yes, it is a cheep thrill, like running across a fast freeway. You can only be killed once and the rest of the time your get away with it with wind in your hair and thrilled looks from all the drivers.

[@zetsutsuletsu2034]

Well sure just keep in mind the one guy who was struck by lightning the most was a mountain ranger......

[@kinu85]

What a great video. Thank you!

[@CleverHiker]

kinu85 You're very welcome!

[@teejay3272]

Another excellent clip. I pretty much only hike at elevation and have always been fascinated how elevation sickness impacts some and not others. Seems to have nothing to do with the kind of shape your in either. Luck of the draw I guess.

[@SentinelWERA43]

What jacket is that black one he's wearing?

[@CleverHiker]

Thanks for watching Sentinel. That's the UL down hoodie from Patagonia. On my website I recommend my favorite gear. This is my jackets page - www.cleverhiker.com/jackets. I also recommend tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, and a whole bunch of other great products - www.cleverhiker.com/gear/

[@SummitSeeker546]

What advice would you give in this situation? It's 2 in the morning you're snug in sleeping bag, fast asleep, at tree line when a nasty storm rolls in dumping rain & hail. Then the thunder & lightening start to roll in and you notice the static electricity causing your hairs to stand up. What do you do? Stay in your sleeping bag and curl into fetal position and pray? Please advise...

[@CleverHiker]

Yikes! That's a scary situation. I always try to set my tent up in a location that won't be exposed if a storm rolls in during the night. So, I wouldn't camp on an exposed hilltop above treeline for example. In your example you'd have to assess how vulnerable you are to lightning strikes. If you're in an exposed area at a high point, it would probably be best to get down to a lower elevation and out of danger as soon as possible. Put on rain gear, leave your tent, and get to safety asap. If you were camped in a more sheltered location, say in a small stand of trees that's lower in elevation, then you could assume the safety crouch position in your sheltered location. Crouch on your sleeping pad for more insulation from electricity.

[@masashing4892]

0:57 Although lightning can sound exciting, they're scientifically scary because lightning contains intense static electric charges with millions of volts, which is thousands of times stronger than your computer charger, which only contains 200 volts. The lightning is also intensely hot and they can heat up to about 30,000 degrees Celsius or 54,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which is about 5 times hotter than the sun's surface, which then creates a shockwave causing thunder.

[@reidsanford6276]

I think you mean lightning and not lightening (the descent of the uterus into the pelvic cavity)? ;-)

[@CleverHiker]

+Reid Sanford Lol! Good call. Lightening doesn't sound quite right.

[@CleverHiker]

+Reid Sanford Wow, very slow on the uptake by me. Finally realized my title was wrong. Thanks!

[@drfizzle420]

would the attitude masks help train your body for a hiking trip?

[@CleverHiker]

+drfizzle420 I've never tried one, so I can't say. I doubt they do much for the altitude though, and that's what can make you sick. Being in great shape is important too though.

[@noneofurbusiness1464]

great video. and it helps to be dressed properly. especially since weather can change frequently. Hiking in booty shorts (as in end of video) is stupid at any elevation. Your not at a strip club. most people who die in wilderness die from exposure to the elements. It also leaves your bare legs etc open to injury from thorny etc. bushes, bug bites and stings. So use common sense and bring extra clothes or dress appropriately.

[@millerfour2071]

8:42

[@charlessmith263]

I have asthma, so I am at high risk of altitude sickness. So say I am at 2,000 feet, and I want to go up to 8,000 feet. But if I get asthma at 4,500 feet, I have to stop and try to go up very gradually to say, 4,525 feet. If I get more severe asthma after 4,525 feet, this is the danger zone for me, and I realize I could get deadly edema in the lungs and the only way to prevent death is to descend - because if I go up even further, it will be something that I will regret doing all the way to my own grave.

[@JacobZiech]

What happens when your tent uses your hiking poles...pretty much two lightening rods.

[@CleverHiker]

+Jacob Ziech Nope, that's a commonly believed myth. Metal doesn't attract lightning, it just conducts it. Height and pointy objects are strong attracters for lightning, so camping up high above tree line in a lightening storm is a terrible idea, regardless of what type of poles you have in your tent. Thanks for the comment!

[@JacobZiech]

...and now I can sleep soundly at night.

[@CleverHiker]

Lol! Glad to hear :) Thanks again!

[@masashing4892]

0:57 Although lightning can sound exciting, they're scientifically scary because lightning contains intense static electric charges with millions of volts, which is thousands of times stronger than your computer charger, which only contains 200 volts. The lightning is also intensely hot and they can heat up to about 30,000 degrees Celsius or 54,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which is about 5 times hotter than the sun's surface, which then creates a shockwave causing thunder.

[@ot2731]

Also stay away from water, like lakes and rivers.

[@BRUCEDEERY]

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[@SonoranAstro]

I live higher than 8,000 feet lmfao.

[@Gotjits0156]

lol funny yuppies

[@leecoffman2594]

Terrible speaker, quit moving your hands an just talk !

[@aravindnarayan3840]

That's Oregon!!