Lightning Safety in the Backcountry

Yesterday we posted an announcement about Scouts were who were meeting at a park during a powerful thunderstorm and were injured in a lightning strike. In frontcountry we are advised to nfollow the ’30/30′ rule – if the time between the flash of lightning and the sound of thunder is thirty seconds or less take shelter in a building until 30 minutes until the last thunder is heard.

What do you do in backcountry situations where no hard shelter is available. Whether you are on a day hike or an extended trek (and especially if you will be on the warter) you should become familiar with "NOLS Backcountry Lightning Safety Guidelines" found here. This article goes into much greater depth regarding backcountry lightning safety than does the BSA Hazardous Weather Training.