Got stuck on the Colorado Trail in a thunderstorm with no cover

Near Kenosha Pass, around mile 45, the sky just opened up out of nowhere. No trees thick enough to hide under, just open meadow for a mile. I had to drop my pack and lay flat in a ditch with my sleeping pad over me for 25 minutes until it passed. Lightning was hitting maybe half a mile away, could feel it in the ground. Anyone else ever been caught that exposed with no good option?

2 comments

2 Comments

graceblack2d ago

Yeah that sleeping pad trick is smart, I'm gonna remember that one.

daniel_walker2d ago

Got stuck in a similar spot near Mount Whitney a few years back. No ditch to lay in, just a barren ridge with rocks. Sat crunched down with my knees tucked and head between my legs, counting seconds between flash and boom. It got close enough that one strike made my ears ring for an hour after. The worst part was when the hail started, dime sized, and my pack had all my shelter gear in it but I couldn't move to get it out. Made me rethink carrying one of those cheap emergency ponchos in my pocket instead of buried in the bag.