Missing CO Hunters
- Thread starter rjthehunter
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elkduds
Well-known member
Central Colorado, South Park area. I don't avoid the possibility of rain, but most local rainstorms here include lightning. Today the high is 46 degrees, full overcast, 35% chance of rain. I'll go out in it this evening because the rut is on, probably to a lower elevation than where I was yesterday. I watch doppler maps for expected precip within 2-3 hours, these maps are about 50% accurate. If it starts flashing, I'll be dashing--to the truck.
How to estimate lightning distance from your location: When you see lightning flash, start counting: thousand one, thousand two, basically counting seconds. When you hear the thunder of that lightning flash you are counting, every second is about 1000 feet of distance. If you counted 5 thousands, that lightning is less than a mile away. IME <3 miles from lightning is high risk. As discussed here, above timberline or in open country is more dangerous than under a forest canopy.
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Gellar
Well-known member
Lightning strikes aren’t only in the mountains.
Sheltowee
Well-known member
rjthehunter
Well-known member
Another hunter died in the same area.
www.denver7.com
Another hunter has died in the Conejos County wilderness, sheriff’s office says
A third hunter has died in Conejos County, the same area of the southern Colorado wilderness where two hunters were killed by lightning earlier this month.
www.denver7.com
Gellar
Well-known member
That one sounds more like a cardiac event but sad nevertheless.Another hunter died in the same area.
Another hunter has died in the Conejos County wilderness, sheriff’s office says
A third hunter has died in Conejos County, the same area of the southern Colorado wilderness where two hunters were killed by lightning earlier this month.
rjthehunter
Well-known member
That was my initial thought too. Like you said, sad nonetheless.
Sheltowee
Well-known member
'Tragically Unlucky.' The Real Story of What Happened to the Elk Hunters Who Disappeared in Colorado’s Wilderness
Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko went missing while elk hunting in Colorado. Their disappearance set off a search of epic proportions.
www.outdoorlife.com
“They were on their way down to their vehicle. I just know it,” undersheriff Blake says. “And in my mind, they did what they’d been trained to do — or at least what people are supposed to do in a lightning storm. They got into a patch of trees. They weren’t under a single tree, or on a ridge, or in a low spot.”
'Tragically Unlucky.' The Real Story of What Happened to the Elk Hunters Who Disappeared in Colorado’s Wilderness
Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko went missing while elk hunting in Colorado. Their disappearance set off a search of epic proportions.
“They were on their way down to their vehicle. I just know it,” undersheriff Blake says. “And in my mind, they did what they’d been trained to do — or at least what people are supposed to do in a lightning storm. They got into a patch of trees. They weren’t under a single tree, or on a ridge, or in a low spot.”
This was a tough read. So sad.
Reading that earlier today helped me piece more of it together in my mind. I couldn’t help but think three things -
1. so unfortunate for those guys. Such a tragedy for them to get taken. That said, I know they will spur much more awareness to many others about lightning safety. Which leads me to my next two thoughts:
2. I have much to learn about taking the right precautions. Or at least better precautions.
3. I can’t help but think that this story or overall outcome could have been about me, others I know, or others on this forum from what I have read about the other close calls.
So sad. RIP guys.
1. so unfortunate for those guys. Such a tragedy for them to get taken. That said, I know they will spur much more awareness to many others about lightning safety. Which leads me to my next two thoughts:
2. I have much to learn about taking the right precautions. Or at least better precautions.
3. I can’t help but think that this story or overall outcome could have been about me, others I know, or others on this forum from what I have read about the other close calls.
So sad. RIP guys.
BuzzH
Well-known member
Lightning is something I don't mess around with. At work, if it starts to get iffy, I pull the plug and go back another day. I also leave early in the morning, get my stuff done and get out before the afternoon storms build.
Was hunting elk in WY a couple weeks ago and started to get some lightning in the distance, got out of there and called it a day. That's the first time during rifle season where I hunt elk I've had any lightning, things aren't the same as they used to be.
Pays to watch the forecast and plan accordingly.
Just a painful thing for these young fellas and their families. Here in NC the lightning is rough always, but I have never seen it as bright and close as in a Colorado wall tent at 11K ft one year as it snowed and hailed. Was a rough night. Prayers for their families.
WVmike
Well-known member
Awful stuff. Makes you want to rethink things when outside during hunting, hiking, etc.
sclancy27
Well-known member
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We woke up to thundersnow on a high ridge this last Saturday around midnight. Closest strike was inside a second, so maybe a couple hundred yards. Pretty weird for damn near November.
We even get thundersnow. Snow thunderheads.
3 hrs of constant strikes here last week. Shake the ground stuff. I stay inside my house or in the truck.
I came close to getting hit in 1975. 5 inches in an hour. Car stuck 1/4 mile from house I decided to make a run for the house. Got 50 feet when a bolt hit a rock 100 yards away. Woke up soaked on the ground shaking. I made it to the house.
I knew a guy in MT who lost his toes and nose running to his truck for a dip.....but he survived.
3 hrs of constant strikes here last week. Shake the ground stuff. I stay inside my house or in the truck.
I came close to getting hit in 1975. 5 inches in an hour. Car stuck 1/4 mile from house I decided to make a run for the house. Got 50 feet when a bolt hit a rock 100 yards away. Woke up soaked on the ground shaking. I made it to the house.
I knew a guy in MT who lost his toes and nose running to his truck for a dip.....but he survived.
Working out on Lake Champlain one night after midnight in the early spring. Got caught in a terrible snow- lightning storm. 30 mph wind and driving sleet didn’t help in the 20’ open boat ! Scary chit !! As a teenager hooking up cows to chain ties in a dairy barn, a bolt of lightning hit the foundation. Next thing I knew, I was lying in the alleyway with my boss standing over me. He thought I was dead !!
warmer
Well-known member
Had a brother struck and killed by lightning in 1982. I still hide every time it flashes. Some stuff you never get over.
lastlight
Well-known member
Sure has been a weird fall, we have lighting up here up until Oct 20th and it was snowing at 6k.
I too will never mess with lighting. I’ve been in the scariest situation in my life in Colorado with it.
I too will never mess with lighting. I’ve been in the scariest situation in my life in Colorado with it.
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