Longs Peak Boulder Field and Lightning

Chris Hamwrote:

I'm pretty sure RMNP averages 5 strikes per square mile per year. 

Hi Chris. I would be curious to learn where you heard this statistic if you remember.

Having been struck by lightning just a few years ago, I would suggest avoiding it. The boulderfield is high and very exposed. 

Tzilla Rapdrillawrote:

Having been struck by lightning just a few years ago, I would suggest avoiding it. The boulderfield is high and very exposed. 

I think I remember reading that story / incident report. Up at Devil's head correct? Anyway we had an excellent time romping around eldo and when the weather turned we just shot up to Rifle. 

A far cry from the diamond but fun was had   

Andrew Stegswrote:

Hi Chris. I would be curious to learn where you heard this statistic if you remember.

Hmmm, I am having trouble finding it. It looks like Colorado, at large, get's around 500k of lightning strikes per year. That's a little under 5 per square mile in the entire state. I would have to assume areas at higher elevation would be struck more frequently? 

Chris Hamwrote:

Hmmm, I am having trouble finding it. It looks like Colorado, at large, get's around 500k of lightning strikes per year. That's a little under 5 per square mile in the entire state. I would have to assume areas at higher elevation would be struck more frequently? 

Since June 15th, over 78,000 lightning flashes have been recorded in Colorado. Zero of these occurred within 5 miles of Denver.

https://mobile.twitter.com/NWSBoulder/status/1541435170229628931

Karl Henizewrote:

In case it wasn’t clear, I was referring specifically to lightning strikes at the tent sites on the Boulderfield.  These are popular spots, so if lightning was hitting those sites, while tents are erected on them, there should be some record of it.  

Thanks Karl, this is the exact kind of anecdotal "evidence" I was looking for btw. Spots are always reserved, so I assume people get caught in storms there often. 

Cory Nwrote:

Since June 15th, over 78,000 lightning flashes have been recorded in Colorado. Zero of these occurred within 5 miles of Denver.

https://mobile.twitter.com/NWSBoulder/status/1541435170229628931

Is the boulder field on Long's Peak in Denver?

James Wwrote:

Being surrounded ~300 degrees by peaks and ridgelines 1-3k feet higher and less than a mile away - might have something to do with it.

maybe, but not really a guarantee.  about 30 years ago my partner and i got back to camp after summiting a peak. a lightning storm came through, and while i was down at a creek pumping water a strike hit very close to me.  it was enough to kind of knock me out for a moment.  we were in a relatively low spot, completely surrounded by much higher terrain. i learned that day not to light the fireworks too soon...