High country storms.

[bald9eagle]

Now common sense says when a lightening strike dances across the sky in a cloud headed your way that you take cover. The area I've picked is made up of a lot of territory above the treeline with several nice drainages to explore. The plan is to stay near a lake that is up on the high ridge but is slightly sheltered because it is in a little bit of a depression. I want to stay up high near the meadows and be able to move to the 4-5 drainages that are all within a couple miles of one central location.

Do you flee oncoming storms and get low in a drainage? What about middle of the night? I prefer to avoid getting hit by a bolt of lightening. How low do you guys get or do you try to snuggle yourself near some rock outcroppings?

[saddlesore]

Above timberline is no place to be in a thunder/lightning storm. Always camp below or at timberline in as sheltered valley.

[oldnovice]

Ditto what Saddlesore said. ANYWHERE above treeline is bad in a thunderstorm.

[Swede]

It depends on what kind of terms you are with the Lord. If they are iffy at best, find some good cover away from tall trees in a low area.

[RAMMONT]

If you have a choice ya' just don't camp above the treeline. If you do then I'll guarantee that when a storm starts up you wont be sleeping through it and I'll bet that you'll be moving camp as soon as possible - even during the storm. The thunder can literally be deafening, the static will raise the hair on your body, and you'll smell the ozone as the air gets cooked by the lighting.

[saddlesore]

If you want to camp that high,I encourage you to learn how to squat down low with your head between your feet. It is easier to kiss your butt good bye that way

[bald9eagle]

Haha...lawd have mercy. That takes care of that. (Checks that off list)

[bald9eagle]

One more question. What side of a ridge would you say you need to camp on? Do most S Colorado storms come from out of the west?

[Elkduds]

One more question. What side of a ridge would you say you need to camp on? Do most S Colorado storms come from out of the west?

The wettest storms will come from S or SW. Coldest come from NW. So camp on E or SE, by the hot springs.

[Navesgane]

southerly aspects will see more direct sunlight thus typically being warmer/dryer

[Lefty]

It depends on what kind of terms you are with the Lord. If they are iffy at best, find some good cover away from tall trees in a low area.

Too funny

Last night (Saturdaynight) my wife suggested a location for us to make camp,.. I was just teasing her about lighting and her wanting to collect insurance or not liking my cooking and a bolt of lightening hit on a nearby ridge. No need to win that argument. Today we stopped and got gas near where her tent had been hit by lightning 35 years ago , Just 100 yards off the base of a 4000 ft mt .

While a depression is a better location than a ridge We had a number of strikes this morning less than a 2 count away. I was about ready to head for the pick-up

[bald9eagle]

Weather radio? Yay or nay.

[nrocchio]

If it is for the area you mentioned in your meals post, I wouldn't bring one. It is surprising how heavy the pack can get when you are bringing everything in one trip for a bivy/backpacking hunt. Last year, by my third trip into my hunting area I was leaving all kinds of stuff in the vehicle to lighten up the pack.

[bald9eagle]

I'm voting nay. I figure I can use one of those weather rocks.

I think I may have my camping spot picked out. We will just have to walk up out of a hole everyday but that's fine by me.

[Mathewsz7-elkridge]

How high do you camp? One of my possible spike camp spots is at 11000 feet the highest peak around is about a mile away and it's 12500. Would you say it would be safe to camp that high up?

[saddlesore]

Got to remember, the higher you camp ,the less your body will recoup from oxygen deprivation that occurs during the day

[Lefty]

Generally in the back country weather rocks are more accurate.
Saturday the wind was predicted from the NW. I think the wind blew from every direction except the NW

Saturday and Sunday we just had series of clouds, clear skies, and thunderstorms. Sunday morning we woke to pouring rain,.. and bright sunshine the low angle of the sun under the clouds was really something to behold!

[Mathewsz7-elkridge]

Got to remember, the higher you camp ,the less your body will recoup from oxygen deprivation that occurs during the day

They area I am going doesn't have any thing below 10000 except for one Valley where the elk will be feeding. So my body is just going to have to deal with lack of oxygen.

[bald9eagle]

I'm going to get low and just hike up everyday. I can get close to where I plan on hunting and don't have that 4.5 mile hike every morning.

Elkridge...what unit did you go with? I settled on 78.

[Mathewsz7-elkridge]

I'm going to get low and just hike up everyday. I can get close to where I plan on hunting and don't have that 4.5 mile hike every morning.

Elkridge...what unit did you go with? I settled on 78.

Planning on going to 751 but might go to unit 81 if my buddies back doesn't get to 100%. I will send you a pm.