Hiking Lightning Safety | How to Survive a Thunderstorm in Colorado, the Sierras, or Any Other Trail

Let's be real, the best hiking trails are all above tree line (sorry-not-sorry). However, that means facing dangerous afternoon thunderstorms, particularly when hiking in the Colorado rockies.
To make sure that you know how to survive a thunderstorm in Colorado, the Sierras, or anywhere else you choose to hike, backpack, or peak bag it is a good idea to review the hiking lightning safety tips discussed in this video! I go over how to avoid thunderstorms, when to bail, what to do if caught in a storm, and what to do if struck by lightning. You even get some bonus tips for how to keep your dogs safe, which you wont find anywhere else!
National Weather Service Colorado Lightning Statistics: www.weather.go...
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[@WanderingSwitchback]

Such important info for us hikers! Sometimes, it's just not possible to totally get away from lightning, so it's so critical to know what to do. Thanks, Bailey!

[@michaelsteiger8091]

Wow, I had no idea about rocks conducting electricity, but it makes sense! Earlier this year, I was hiking in the pyrenees on a ridgeline when a lightning storm came through. I thought I was safe hiding under a big boulder. 😅 Thanks so much for making this video!

[@taratreks]

Hi! Thank you so much for this video. I love your videos.. they are so informational. I’m leaving for the CT in a week

[@TheMostImportantStep]

Best of luck on your thru hike!

[@CareersbyJenn]

Great info, thanks! I had to sleep in a hollowed out tree (tarp over top) with a bunch of 8 year old YWCA campers when I was a camp counsellor in my teens, and when we got caught in a thunder storm out on a long overnight hike. I remember being really glad we weren't hit by lightening because jamming 10 little girls and two teen leaders inside a giant old growth forest hollowed out trunk with a tarp on top was exciting enough!

[@TheMostImportantStep]

Wow! That sounds like it was a crazy night!

[@astridmanzo]

We recently got caught in one of those unexpected, out of nowhere Florida storms. As it was happening I was trying to Google what to do on my completely soaked phone lol. I’m afraid of lightning now; a new fear I didn’t need in my life! Knowledge is the only way to deal with it, though. So thanks for the info!

[@Pflichteingabe]

I also carry this fear with me now. I hope I will get over it one day to finally enjoy pure nature again.

[@marissabanda2773]

This is the best video I’ve found on the subject! Very straight to the point and easy to follow! We recently were hiking over a pass in the Sierra and a lightening storm came in, the next day a man died in the sierras after hunkering down under a tree. I decided I needed more clear information after that! Thank you!

[@TheMostImportantStep]

Wow! Glad you were safe and glad to be of help!

[@betterd9160]

I was hiking in RMNP starting at a research center outside Estes. I took one step past the national park sign and a huge bolt of lightning struck to the ground very close it also started raining and hailing at the same time. Ten minutes later it was gone. I’ve seen trees on fire there as well and charred trees.

[@thebra]

Thanks for the info!

[@Qqqqql]

3:25 I did exactly this today 😅

[@paulameninato8948]

I'm going on a group hike to Humantay Lake, which is about 4000m in altitude. The shelter closest to the lake is an hour hike where the trail goes into the mountain (but not to the summit) at first but is mainly downhill.If we get caught in a storm in the valley, I'm assuming the safest thing to do is to go to the shelter even if we are initally more exposed on the way up the mountain, not to wait it out in the valley next to a massive lake that can condudct electricity and flood, correct?

[@Coloradodude124]

Not me watching this video on a top of a 14er during a lighting storm for safety tips ☠️

[@empathawaken]

😂

[@RobertOKruk]

Very helpful thank you! So basically if you're in a dense clumping of shorter trees, would you suggest to keep moving until thunder lightning starts going crazy around you, at that point, toss the metal bits and hunker down?

[@TheMostImportantStep]

It depends on the surrounding terrain and height of the trees compared to you as well as if you are heading into higher risk terrain or not. I would most likely keep walking, but there are times where I have hunkered down and waited it out in ridges where going forward would have been more exposed.

[@RobertOKruk]

@@TheMostImportantStep makes sense. Can keep moving if risk of terrain stays the same or improves. Stay put if they get worse or potentially backtrack if it gets better.

[@richardashby7883]

Good video

[@djchrisi]

What is your opinion of putting the hiking poles like 50 yards away from in the ground you so they might attract the lightning instead of you?

[@TheMostImportantStep]

Anything is worth a shot if you are really in a desperate situation!

[@chess747]

Well not only that, but you forgot to mention, you’re carrying metal objects, in your, or on your, backpack 🎒

[@TheMostImportantStep]

What's your craziest lightning story?

[@CareersbyJenn]

One I will never forget! :)

[@mbburry4759]

While walking the dogs on a slightly overcast day, i dont recll hearing any background thunder, but a bolt hit a tree 30-40ish yards away, it knocked the top of the tree off and blew little wood splinters far enough to hit us. The wood splinters were totally harmless, but been nervous of lightning ever since. The noise of a close strike is insane

[@Simon-xi8tb]

Just cover your ears, mouth, nose and other openings, so that the lightning doesn't get inside you.

[@jccruz8736]

Man, I always carry a couple pairs of earplugs with me to during trekking in case of very close thunderstorms. You mentioned protecting your openings, I had to laugh a little since now I need to bring a buttplug also, hahaha.