Lightning in the Backcountry
Lightning and thunder back at home inside your home can be fascinating - and quite safe (in a modern building). But being outdoors in the backcountry is a completely different story. Lightning suddenly becomes pretty scary and serious.
Let’s face reality… there are no really safe areas in the backcountry once lightning starts to strike. But there is less risky terrain and there is high-risk terrain.
Peak: Probably the worth and most risky place to be when lightning strikes. Get off the summit fast. Ideally, follow gullies and not ridges when descending.
Open area: You are likely the tallest object, which is not a good thing. Move somewhere safer.
Also, try to get rid of all metallic objects as they attract lightning.
If there is no safer place to go, take a lightning position: Put the feet together to significantly reduce the effects of ground current. If you have a foam pad to stand on or a pack to sit on, get on it. Crouch or sit to slightly reduce the effects of side flash and upward leaders.
Lightning position
Keep your feet close together.
Hope this information helps in case of an emergency in the backcountry. Find some additional valuable information in risk management of lightning in the backcountry: