I’ve said it before, but given the nasty weather we had over the weekend, it bears mentioning again. Thunderstorms can be deadly. They can even spawn tornadoes. Nowhere seems immune.

Paddlers, cyclists, and hikers are always at the mercy of the elements, and that’s true even in summer. When the sun shines and the wind takes a rare break, we’re on easy street. When the atmosphere is in turmoil, however, we pay the price. Sometimes dense fog leaves us wondering where we are. At other times we’re chilled to the bone by a cold rain. Or we feel the wind’s invisible fist pounding relentlessly against our chests as we struggle to cross a big lake or cycle long distances. Often we can tough it out. But at other times it makes sense to take the easy option. Day trips can simply be cut short. On overnights, you can linger in camp, sheltering under a tarp or tent, while drinking and eating your fill and catching up on your sleep, snug and safe in the warmth of your cozy bag.

Yet there are times (and places) when even the easy option isn’t enough, times when the weather’s so ugly that you’re betting your life just by being outside. Anyone who’s been caught in a thunderstorm knows what I mean. But while the crash of thunder can be unnerving, it’s what you DON’T hear that can kill. The threat? Lightning. Read more…