Beware of Storm
Rain, hail or a storm may surprise you in a mountainous area. The most dangerous in the case of a storm are peaks and crests, which are exposed, because the mountains attract clouds generators of lightning, and peaks encourage electrical discharges.
How to protect yourself if you are surprised by the storm:
- Leave peaks and exposed crests, with flat unprotected land. If the storm can be predicted, no longer start the trail.
- If the storm is about to break and you cannot climb down, please leave as quickly as possible exposed crests and any elevation. The middle of a crest is preferable instead of its extremities. Avoid tall or isolated trees.
- Another problem would be where to hide from the storm? You can do it on the lower steep of the debris area, on a block where you can sit, but not the only one point higher on a flat surface.
If a clap of thunder is imminent, you have to look very quickly for a relatively protected area from the direct impact. Find a platform, a slight sleep or one elevation dominated by a neighbouring high point (it should be at least 1 m and further away from any vertical wall).
Do not shelter in cracks or vertical cliffs! The elevation, the rock where you shelter from the storm must be 5-10 times higher than your height, in squat position.
The place should be as dry as possible, without lichens, beyond entrails, caves, cracks, except when they are spacious and allow you to sit at least at 1 m from the wall and 3 m above the head.
During a storm, caves and overhangs must be avoided. Caves are dangerous during a storm as well as their entrance as there is a risk of short-circuit bridge formation over the opening. Although some shelters seem good, during an electrical storm, caves, ditches, depressions with edges that have less than 1 m-1.50 m are not secure.
During a storm, your position should be squat. This position is indicated and it offers better protection because the distance between different points of contact with the stone is the smallest. Do not touch the walls by hand, head, or shoulder. Insulate the contact point with a rock with insulating material: synthetic fibre rope, boots, rubber hood, a sleeping bag folded, an item of clothing, etc. Keep the other objects dried under an anorak for example.
If the storm caught you in an area where you are exposed to a fall, you must take action. The fixation point should be as close as possible to reduce the potential gradient along the rope. If you are caught by the storm on a breezy area and there is no protection, get into the squat position.
Caught by the storm, you must move quickly. Sit down so that you will not be one that provides a passage to transitional currents leaking from the rock and over the cracks. Even though a storm in the mountains sounds terrifying after such adventure, you will remember that trip forever.
