View Full Version : hammocking in a lightning storm ...
fivefour
06-09-2006, 10:35
i am sure this has been covered before but i shall ask again. what precautions (if any) should be taken for hammocking with the possibility of lightning ? is there any protection to be had if the god of lightning decides to strike the tree from which you choose to hang ?
SGT Rock
06-09-2006, 10:44
Well the protection is you are not the shortest path to ground, so I doubt electricity will go through you.
Just avoid dead trees and trees with Widowmakers hanging in them when you chose an area, that includes trees in the area other than the two you use.
Now if lightning were to hit your tree, a pair of Depends may be a good percaution.
Amigi'sLastStand
06-09-2006, 10:54
Now if lightning were to hit your tree, a pair of Depends may be a good percaution.
If you lightweight this may not work. But, REI has a very lightweight lightning rod just for this use. Its about 40 ft high, very light and easy to assemble. Check it out.
No, no, no. I jest. I cant think of any specific reason a hammocker would incur more risk than anyone else. I've lived 17 years in FL, the lightning capital of the Western Hemisphere and seen lig. hit anything and everything. The fact your off the gound actually may be a benefit since a lot of deaths actually occur via ground transmission ( the moisture in the gound really ). But if your in the woods in a storm, just seek shelter if possible or if its really bad, crouch down with your heels touching aboriginal style. Put on sunglasses or keep your eyes closes to avoid blindness from a near by strike. Depends helps also.
Just Jeff
06-09-2006, 11:39
Same precautions as tent camping - get off the ridge, don't be near the highest tree, check for any other hazards like widowmakers, etc. Like Rock said, the electricity follows the shortest path and that's not you, so it's no more dangerous than tent camping.
What's the deal with widowmakers hanging in tree. Is this cause the tree is dead and rotting?
Skidsteer
06-09-2006, 12:04
What's the deal with widowmakers hanging in tree. Is this cause the tree is dead and rotting?
Maybe, maybe not. It could simply be a 'hanger' caused by an ice or windstorm. Live or dead, that sucker will hurt if it falls on your head.
SGT Rock
06-09-2006, 12:05
It can be the tree dead, or it can be just the limb dying from damage. This is one reason to pay attention to what sort of rope you use when bear bagging since some will cut into the bark and damage the tree limb.
fivefour
06-09-2006, 12:10
hmmmm ... makes sense to me, thanks guys ! and yes, i always check for widowmakers before choosing a site esp. now that i am using a hammock. dead trees have ruined many a site that i thought was "perfect" only to see the tree looming over to the left or right.
SGT Rock
06-09-2006, 12:14
But the great thing about a hammock is there are more trees than there are campsites. I often cook and stuff somewhere other than where I hang my hammock, so enjoy the fire and logs/rocks of a campsite then move over to the out of the way trees for the best sleeping spot. Hammocks make for great stealth site camping.
fivefour
06-09-2006, 13:28
you're dang right they do ! we recently camped on the northeast cape fear river here near the coast. i set my hammock up and wandered over to hang with the rest of the guys near the fire. after a few beers i decided it was time for bed and it took me FOREVER to find the hammock. hammocks are super stealthy ...
Hana_Hanger
06-09-2006, 17:48
you're dang right they do ! we recently camped on the northeast cape fear river here near the coast. i set my hammock up and wandered over to hang with the rest of the guys near the fire. after a few beers i decided it was time for bed and it took me FOREVER to find the hammock. hammocks are super stealthy ...
:D :p LOL ....
that's what some folks use kelty triptease liteline for... its 'reflective' abilities... camn
darn... hate when that happens... heavy finger = enter...
"camn" should have read 'can find your way back in the dark using it to mark 'home''.
fivefour
06-10-2006, 13:18
that's what some folks use kelty triptease liteline for... its 'reflective' abilities... camn
i bought some for that reason then decided i like the steathly-ness. i think i am gonna rig it with a loop so i can do either.
SGT Rock
06-10-2006, 13:21
I added some trip-tease to my tarp tie out after kicking one out of the ground in a storm while answering nature's call. They only reflect when light hits them directly.
What's the deal with widowmakers hanging in tree. Is this cause the tree is dead and rotting?
Widowmakers are any type of broken, loose limbs, tops etc that look dangerous enough to fall, especially if one is sawing down the tree the stuff is in, or touching. The name basically means your wife could become your (the mans) widow. I guess a Widowermaker would be a female logger. But, regardless if you are a logger or a hiker the term is still used and is just as dangerous when underneath. I would even consider melting and falling sheets of ice from treetops to carry the same name.