I hiked the AT twice. I never had a fear of lighting until I got slammed with multiple close strikes coming out of the NOC my 1st year. It send my PDSD into overdrive. From May into September, anywhere on the AT, you will have to deal with it on a daily basis. I can't begin to tell you how many times I wanted to quit. Fear plays on fear. When the storms would roll in at night, I would wonder if a tree was going to fall or a large branch break off. When you're by yourself, it's even worst, unless you're with someone screaming like an idiot.
Every time I got into town, I would hit the internet and try and learn as much as possible about lighting. I came to the place where I learned to accept it. Lighting, trees falling is part of being outdoors. I would make the best decision I could make on where to setup. From there, it's out of my hands.
Also, the debate of tent or hammock if a tree is hit is ongoing. However, from all the information that I've gather, I've decided the hammock is far safer. I found multiple stories of people being hit & killed in tents, 3 sided shelters and even houses. So far, nothing in a hammock.
There's nothing wrong with fear. It's what keeps us alive. Just be smart, & do what you set out to do despite the fear.
Bookmarks