I’ve paddled rivers in 39 states, and
I can count on one hand the rivers where huddling under an overhang or in a cave would have even been an option. And, speaking as one who failed quantum physics at MIT, I’m not overwhelmed by the reasoning presented for overhangs and caves being uniquely dangerous.
I think the danger of caves and overhangs would apply mainly when the land around is elevated, so that it is more likely to get struck. The overhangs I’ve visited, along rivers, are lower than surrounding bluffs and trees, and it is real hard to see why lightning current would magically concentrate on such overhangs.
I think we’re worrying about overhangs on elevated mountain terrain, when in fact any overhang a river rat might use is not much above river level. Apples and oranges.
I’ve had friends who were zapped while kneeling on rocks on the Chattooga River. What should they have done? Maybe there is no right answer. It was an electrical storm, and they were out in it.
If caves and overhangs are so conductive, why are they not equivalent to Faraday cages? When fininshed, close your exam booklet and turn it in.
Lightning!
Deciding on whether to stay on the water or get out on land is dependent on the surrounding terrain and what type of lightning you are experiencing. The general rule of thumb is that open flat stretches of water are bad places to be in any lightning storm Small rivers and creeks with lots of obstacles, in canyons,and or having trees along their banks tend to be less of a threat than open water. Lone trees, mouths of caves, high points or being near metal structures are high risk areas. There are three types of lightning. They are “bolt lightning”, “chain lightning”, and “ball lightning”. Bolt lightning poses the most threat to individuals on the water or land. It is a discharge going from clouds to the earth surface. “Chain lightning” is only a threat to pilots flying through a storm since discharges are moving from cloud to cloud within the storm. “Ball Lightning”, while extremely dangerous, is also extremely rare requiring a huge discharge which litterly bounces across the earths surface discharging its power as it moves.
Factors like clothing and equipment also play a role in your chances of being struck by lightning. A paddler in a neoprene wetsuit, booties, and gloves in a kevlar kayak using a carbon fiber paddle is much less at risk than a canoelst in an aluminum canoe wearing shorts, a tee shirt, Gore tex parka, rain pants, sandals, and no gloves.
I have paddled on the Upper Missouri in Montana in a huge sheet lightning storm in my fiberglass and cedar canoe wearing neoprene boots and gloves and a carbon fiber paddle without much worry because it was chain lightning. I have also been climbing on a peak in the North Cascades and have had to drop my ice axe and rack and run off the top of a ridge to avoid bolt lightning strikes. There is nothing like the smell of Ozone in the air and the hair on your body standing on end to make you aware that the place you are in is not the place to be!!!
Use your best judgement when storms approach. Factor in the + and - and go with your gut feeling!
Happy Paddling!
What does ozone smell like?
Good info. about lightning/water
http://www.nasdonline.org/docs/d000001-d000100/d000007/d000007.html
Murph, everything you say makes sense
but we have little or no data on what difference it makes. I would say that following your guidelines will increase safety, but I have no idea to what extent.
It appears that a lot of the urgent watchwords we get about lightning may be related to the uncertainty about what makes a difference, and how much of a difference it makes.
I sure don’t want to be paddling or hiking amongst bolt lightning, but it doesn’t appear to me that a lot of outdoors types are dying because of it.
Lightning in ovehangs
I have both read and heard first-hand personal accounts from mountaineers (including a friend) of alarming encounters with currents from lightning discharges on rocky slopes and ledges, including St. Elmo's Fire type reactions by metal equipment and literally hair-raising static charge effects on scalp and skin. I'm also an electrician and have seen enough of the effects of lightning strikes at high-voltage substations (which must be built to both attract and withstand such strikes) to have developed a healthy respect for the phenomenon.
Do I let electrical storms or any other meteorological event inhibit my outdoor recreation or cause me to obsess about low-probability accidents? Not at all -- but I try to do my best to stay aware of the safest quick shelter options and decrease the "slim" statistic closer to zero. Even with my electrical background and a degree in sedimentary Geology I could not readily "explain" to you the physics of ground transmission and ledge refraction of lightning discharge BUT it is not necessary to completely understand the "why" mechanisms behind a natural phenomenon to know "how" it behaves and respect its power. As any wise married person should know. :-)
Well, what I’m saying is that
mountain ledges are not river ledges. I think one might not be in as much danger if using low lying overhangs. Other problems in storms can drive one into overhangs, such as multiple tree blowdowns. There are times one might be grateful for an overhang, though as I’ve said, I don’t often see handy overhangs on America’s rivers.
Wow, lot’s like I created a storm
Lot’s of info, none that definitely confirms on or off the water. I’m going with off the water because I usually am in an open canoe with a 9ft double blade aluminum paddle. That makes me the most likely target off the shore. I guess it is possible for lightning to strike the water and run up my paddle and electrocute me. Dying would be a bitch, but if I’ve got to go, let it be on a river!