Scary Thought

**Cannibal** · 05-06-2007, 16:19

OK, so I'm a very recent convert from tenting to hanging. I'm loving it, but I just discovered a new terror. As I'm napping in my hammock in the front yard, I'm awakened by the sound of thunder. I'm amazed that this never occured to me, but what is the danger of lightning? Are we not hanging from Nature's lightning rods!?!?

Somebody please reassure me that I'm not upping my risk of lightning strike by hanging.

**slowhike** · 05-06-2007, 16:27

if you have or develop an understanding for lightning safety, no, you're not increasing your chances of being struck by lightning.
staying away from high, exposed places & not using trees that stand taller than most anything else around are good places to start.
besides, lightning likes to travel across the wet ground

...tim

**Rhino-lfl** · 05-07-2007, 09:29

Well a few weeks back I didn't sleep in my hammcok outside and we had a storm. Woke up the next day to see the area had been struck by lightening jumping from my neighbors tree to my fence a few feet from my hammock. I think if god wants to get ya, just sleep off the ground and wait your time, its more comfortable that way.

**Coffee** · 05-07-2007, 09:56

I started a thread on this on WB. I remember the consencous being that it does not matter hammock vs tent. Lighting can arc up to 20 feet and trees have a tendency to explode.

The biggest thing is site selection. Stay away from the tallest tress, ridgelines, next to water, or open areas.

**Rhino-lfl** · 05-07-2007, 11:38

Originally Posted by hammock engineer

I started a thread on this on WB. I remember the consencous being that it does not matter hammock vs tent. Lighting can arc up to 20 feet and trees have a tendency to explode.

The biggest thing is site selection. Stay away from the tallest tress, ridgelines, next to water, or open areas.

I'd also avoid running a 90' metal pole up beside your sleeping area.

**Coffee** · 05-07-2007, 11:41

Here is the thread on WB talking about it if anyone is interested.

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=11186

**funbun** · 05-07-2007, 11:58

Originally Posted by Cannibal

OK, so I'm a very recent convert from tenting to hanging. I'm loving it, but I just discovered a new terror. As I'm napping in my hammock in the front yard, I'm awakened by the sound of thunder. I'm amazed that this never occured to me, but what is the danger of lightning? Are we not hanging from Nature's lightning rods!?!?

Somebody please reassure me that I'm not upping my risk of lightning strike by hanging.

Well, the oxygen you're breathing is killing you right now. No because of pollution, but because of oxidation. Of all the ways to die in the woods, lightening is the least of my worries. I'm most worried about hypothermia.

There is no real safety in this world. Everything is a risk. You can face the fear or die with fear. It's your choice.

**NCPatrick** · 05-07-2007, 12:28

Originally Posted by Rhino-lfl

I'd also avoid running a 90' metal pole up beside your sleeping area.

No, but that's how lightning rods work, isn't it? Allow lightning easy access to the ground? Just move that pole far away from your campsite...

It would be a bit hard to carry though.

**Rhino-lfl** · 05-07-2007, 14:57

Originally Posted by NCPatrick

No, but that's how lightning rods work, isn't it? Allow lightning easy access to the ground? Just move that pole far away from your campsite...

It would be a bit hard to carry though.

Not if you used the super-Rhino-mega-carry-too-much-stuff-sack!!