RE: [Paddlewise] lightening strikes

" This is probably what happened to the kayakers
in the cave/bunker.  Other incidents of injuries and deaths to persons
taking
shelter in a cave on a hillside have been recorded.  Protection from ground
current is enhanced by insulation from the ground -- another reason to park
yourself on the Thermarest."

Agreed Dave, just to reinforce your point, the accepted posture to assume
when sitting out an electrical storm in a cave or overhang while
climing/mountianeering is to stay away from the walls and sit on your pack,
rope or other non-metal gear - completely - don't lean on the rock, and keep
your legs and feet up as well. Given the choice, the current traveling
through the wet rock above will encounter the dry gap of the cave/overhang
and look for the path of least resistance, which would be you if you are in
the circuit. So stay out of the circuit.

If a cave is not available, you should sit on your pack a few feet away from
the wall (out of the path of a strike from above), but not too many feet (no
specifics given) to avoid becomming the highest local object.

Another interesting tid bit to illustrate the contra-intuitive nature of
electricity: When the local power company came to service the transformer in
my yard, the guy first blew up his thick rubber gloves with a breath of air
and held them tightly closed while squeezing, checking for even a pin hole
in the rubber. Give electricity a micro-inch and it will take your life.


Carey
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