View Full Version : Hanging in thunderstorms?
I'm not sure if this issue has come up before and if it has, forgive me for asking again. I'm going out this weekend and plan to sleep in my hammock. However, I've noticed that there is a chance of thunderstorms between 0300-0500 hours. Does anyone have any advice on this issue? Do you think I'll be safe hanging around? I'll have other trees around as well as a body of water and a tin roof shelter with everyone else in there so I don't think I'll be the most conductive target. Assuming I'll be safe I don't mind the 20mph winds or the claps of thunder as I'm pretty fond of storms. Just wanted to get everyone's views and/or knowledge before heading out. Thanks!
I just searched in the Safty forum and found a post on lightning that ended with a question that somewhat mirrors mine: #15 (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showpost.php?p=24102&postcount=15) http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/images/buttons/report.gif (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/report.php?p=24102)
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/images/statusicon/post_old.gif 11-24-2003, 15:59
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http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/images/icons/icon5.gif Lightning
So here's a question - suppose there is no shelter near and you are caught in a severe lightning/Thunderstorm ..... Assuming that you don't set up some place stupid, are you better off in a Hammock or in a tent?
The only thing different is I do have a shelter and would rather hang around. DEATH BY ELECTROCUTION WHILE HANGING, there's a headline.
txulrich
03-08-2006, 23:17
So here's a question - suppose there is no shelter near and you are caught in a severe lightning/Thunderstorm ..... Assuming that you don't set up some place stupid, are you better off in a Hammock or in a tent?
The only thing different is I do have a shelter and would rather hang around. DEATH BY ELECTROCUTION WHILE HANGING, there's a headline.
In theory, to be electrocuted, there has to be current flow. In order to have current flow, there has to be a path to ground. In that regard, I would rather be hanging. However, lightning can do some pretty wild stuff. Common sense would tell me to stay off of the hilltops. I would find a low area (like a ravine or small valley) so that there is an easier path to ground than through the trees I was hanging on.
saimyoji
03-08-2006, 23:22
If theres lightning and you are above treeline: get down below treeline afayc. Don't mess with lightning: totally unpredictable.
i love hammock hanging in storms:cool: neo
Just Jeff
03-09-2006, 03:04
In theory, the lightning will take the path of least resistance, which is down the tree and into the ground rather than down the tree, through the hammock to the other tree, and into the ground. That's the theory.
Have you ever seen a tree struck by lightning? Most of them are all ripped apart and mangled. Even if the actual lightning doesn't kill you with electrocution, a tree exploding 3' from your head is likely to do some damage.
However, common sense can keep you safe. Come down off the ridgeline, don't hang from the tallest tree, etc. It's really the same as choosing a tent site in a lightning storm - if you're in a spot that isn't likely to get struck you should be ok.
However, lightning does some crazy stuff and if it's your time to get sizzled, at least bring some ketchup for the guy who finds you. :eek:
I've never seen a tree get struck but have witnessed it afterwards, I guess that'll be another thing to think of ,:-? becoming a shishkabob:-? . I'll use my common sense as others have noted and will be sure to pack the ketchup and maybe some BBQ sauce. Thanks all for the input.
hammock engineer
03-09-2006, 12:50
I had the same question a few months back. Here is the link to the thread. Some good explainations in it.
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=11186
peter_pan
03-09-2006, 14:55
If theres lightning and you are above treeline: get down below treeline afayc. Don't mess with lightning: totally unpredictable.
Second this advice...I don't personally believe the risk is any greater to the hammocker than the tenter ( maybe less) in any respective area... follow good general prevention / avoidance tech in either case.
Pan
I have a question along these lines too, but nothing to do with lightening.
When you hang your hammock, you pull it as tightly as you can to prevent sag. When it is windy out, you can feel your hammock sway with the trees moving around.
Is there any fear that a strong wind might pull your two trees far apart from one another and stretch your hammock to the breaking point?
txulrich
03-09-2006, 15:36
When you hang your hammock, you pull it as tightly as you can to prevent sag. When it is windy out, you can feel your hammock sway with the trees moving around.
Is there any fear that a strong wind might pull your two trees far apart from one another and stretch your hammock to the breaking point?
Your hammock won't be tight enough that the limited movement of two trees in opposite directions will break the ridge line. If, on the off chance that that does happen, your ridge line was probably damaged before you hung your hammock anyway.
No Belay
03-10-2006, 00:40
I'm not much of an electrician but isn't a filament in a light bulb a resistive element hanging between two conductors? :-?
Kerosene
03-10-2006, 11:03
Note that you will also want to make sure that you're not hanging (or tenting) under a tree with "widow-makers" that could fall and spear you in your bag. Always look up before you hang (or place your tent)!
People have been killed by lightning while hiking on the AT, and none by bears.
I woudn't want to be in a hammock if one of the trees it was hanging from was hit by lightning. Or in tent next to the tree either, for that matter. As others have said, lightning goes where it wants to, and I don't think hanging in a wet hammock will keep you safe.
Seems like it would pay to carefully select your trees if lighting is anticipated, looking for a larger grove of shorter trees well below ridgelines. It's all about lowering the odds, and if you've put some thought into your site selection, there's no reason you shouldn't enjoy the storm and sleep like a baby.
Also, as others have wisely pointed out, it's important to carefully look for weakened trees and dead branches. I was setting up a freestanding tent in a wind storm once, heard a crack and a 30 foot tree was falling towards me. I grabbed the tent and ran, but the tree hung up before it hit the ground! A buddy's pickup got hammered by a falling birch once, maybe 30 feet from our tent, so it does happen.