you are stuck in the storm with nowhere to go, assume the safety position. Sit on a backpack or foam pad to protect yourself from ground-traveling electricity. Crouch down, but do not lie down (the idea is to minimize your surface area with the ground). If in the heart of a storm, sit on your pack and pull your knees close to you. Interlock your hands and put them over your head, resting your elbows on your knees. This last resort is known as the “Oh, s***!” position in most circles. Should lighting strike, it will course through your hands and into your legs, terminating in the ground. It sounds painful, but this position channels electricity through your body without it coursing through your vital organs. Lightning is especially prone to exit through the eyes or ears … not pretty stuff. For additional safety, feel free to consult the god of your choice while in this posture.
The best shelter can be found in low-lying shrubs or trees. Avoid the highest patches or trees, and assume the crouched position while sitting on a backpack or foam pad. Stay a safe distance from companions. Pay attention to the progress of the storm and wait until it has passed for at least 20 minutes to proceed up or down.
Caves obviously make great shelters, but be wary of “spark plug gaps” (gapped rocks that have an exposed or open top). These gaps actually attract lightning—look for better shelter if you can.
Avoid ridges when storms are brewing.
Lightning Strike First Aid
In the awful instance a companion is struck by lightning, it is imperative to act quickly. A body hit by lightning is not holding an electrical charge, so it will be safe to touch them. Any type of strike will often induce cardiopulmonary arrest—quickly check the ABCs of first aid: airway, breathing, and circulation. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should be performed if the victim has stopped breathing or has no pulse. CPR is an invaluable technique that should be known by anyone heading into the backcountry.
In a case of a “light” strike, in which the victim does not lose consciousness or vital functions, there will still be extensive burning that may not show up for many hours after the initial injury. Any tangle with lightning requires an immediate exit from the mountain and a visit to a hospital or medical facility. Call for help if possible, and evacuate the victim from the area as soon as you can.
Weather Trends by Season
Weather can blow in from any direction, any time of the year. I’ve seen lightning in January, snow in July, and hail on 80°F days. While anything is possible, there are some general patterns Colorado weather follows each season. These patterns can help you assess weather trends and make an informed decision when field forecasting.
Spring conditions (March–early to mid-June) Spring weather is often cool, bright, and free of thunderstorms. Days start cold and only warm up slightly, making early spring less prone to lightning storms. A bigger threat in spring is the danger of avalanche and rotten snowpack. As the sun heats up the snow, cornices become especially vulnerable to breaking off and triggering snowslides. Hiking conditions in spring often require winter mountaineering gear such as crampons, ice axes, helmets, and ropes. This is also the ideal time to attempt couloirs and other steep snow routes, depending on the stability of the snowpack. Late spring is a great time to hike, as many of the mountain flowers and trees are in bloom.
Start early (predawn on longer hikes) and be off summits by 11:30 a.m. There are only a few multiday storm fronts that hit Colorado each summer, so you should have a weather window most mornings to reach your summit.
Summer conditions (mid-June–September) Summer is the season of storms—but also of the best mountainside conditions. Nearly every day is punctuated by thunderstorms that roll in from approximately 1–4 p.m. Trails will be clear of most snow and the days are long. Start early (predawn on longer hikes) and be off summits by 11:30 a.m. There are only a few multiday storm fronts that hit Colorado each summer, so you should have a weather window most mornings to reach your summit. Night hiking is also a nice option in the summer.
Autumn conditions (late September–late October) Autumn is a very brief season in Colorado. As the weather cools off, storms become less common. Another benefit of cool air: It does wonders to keep a hard-working hiker from overheating. Beautiful colors emerge in the foliage during this season. There is less daylight and a better potential of snow (and of the rare but dreaded snow-thunderstorm). Autumn is perhaps Colorado’s most enjoyable and safest time of the year to climb mountains.
Winter conditions (late October–March) Winter in Colorado is a beautiful and dangerous world. Summits are hard-fought prizes that require in-depth mountaineering experience to attain. Trailheads often require a monumental effort to reach. The skills required for winter conditions take years to develop and demand a hearty constitution. Avalanches, hypothermia, frostbite, and fatigue are constant threats. Personally, I love winter adventures, but they must be undertaken with caution and courage. This book mentions a few good starter peaks for winter hiking in Appendix A. For those robust enough to challenge the outdoors in the harsh months, a unique and hidden world is yours to discover.
General First Aid
Mountains in Colorado, even the “easy” ones, are rife with natural booby traps and hidden hazards. Seemingly stable talus fields roll under your feet when you least expect it; solid-looking snow patches will swallow your legs in shin-bruising postholes; rocks will careen down from above like Randy Johnson fastballs. Bumps and bruises are part of the game in the mountains. Minimizing your risks and beefing up your knowledge in case of injury are important factors to safely enjoying the mountains.
Note: This overview is not a substitution for outdoors-related first-aid training. I would highly recommend all backcountry hikers take a wilderness first-aid course and be certified in CPR.
Blisters
Nothing ruins a good hike quite like painful blisters (or a hiking companion who won’t shut up about their blisters). Ill-fitting boots are the primary blister-causing culprits, especially new boots that have not been properly broken in. It’s a good idea to wear your new boots around town before setting out into the backcountry. Leather boots in particular require a suitable break-in time to mold to the shape of your foot.
Water and moisture also play a role in blister formation. When feet are wet, the skin is softer and easier to blister. Bulky or bunched socks can cause friction blisters. Irritants such as pebbles, twigs, or debris in your boots can also be to blame.
Blister prevention starts with well-fitting boots. The toes should be a little less than half an inch from the end of the boot. Many blisters occur in boots that are too loose or improperly laced during descents. A single-layer, lightweight noncotton sock (such as Smartwool light hiking socks) helps keep feet cool and dry. Wool and wool-synthetic blends will wick moisture away from the feet. Cotton acts like a sponge, keeping moisture in the fibers and against the skin. I like to bring an extra pair of socks and a small towel in case I splash into an unexpected puddle. For hikes where there will be river crossings, I make sure to bring sandals or water shoes so my boots don’t get soaked. For swampy or muddy hikes, a pair of Gore-Tex (or similar waterproof material) gaiters will prevent water/rain from seeping in above the top of your boots. If you are prone to blisters in a specific spot on your foot, adding a piece of moleskin or Molefoam can prevent abrasion before it generates a blister.
Blister treatment should be administered at the first sign of discomfort.
