Where would you setup camp in this picture

[Randy Martin]

I haven't had a lot of experience camping near treeline. One of my questions for those that have is how you handle thunderstorms. I have read through many threads about peoples approach to lightening but it's always in general terms. Take a look at the picture below. You are ready to make camp and see an approaching storm. The obvious decision is to avoid the ridge on the left but the real question is would you push down into the forest a ways to minimize lightening risk or would you be secure in selecting a sight near treeline near one of the various cluster of trees seen.

[Dale Wambaugh]

I would get down into those clusters at least, setting up where the trees forms a wind break between me and the incoming weather— the lee side in sailing terms.

[Paul Magnanti]

That's what I'd do as well. Would be warmer, too. (But not in the willows. That would be cold! ideally the trees just above the willows)

[David Chenault]

The tress at center-right seem adequate for lightning protection and wind protection. If I were in Griz country I'd probably go right out of the frame and a ways into thicker forest, as meadows like the above are an ideal place to find a Griz mid-summer.

[David Adair]

Camping down in the valley looks a bit cold and damp and without a lot of windbreak. I would be considering that notch in the tree line up high about center of photo. My shelter tucked back in the trees just enough to get a windbreak but close enough to catch the first warm morning rays. Nice.

That ridge and hump look like a fairly minor prominence in the scheme of things. So unless the coming lightening looked particularly bad I would be inclined to stay up out of the bottoms.

[Yorick .]

… and it's not as simple as it looks on the basis of the picture. I second I would look for wind protection and a bit of warmth. According to the EXIF of the photography, the picture is taken at 0:55pm .. so, as far as I see, sunrise will be left-forward (?) and I would like to see the sun at morning .. the other fact it is essential wherefrom the wind comes – I think I've to get to the place ;-D

[Roger Caffin]

Good Q.
Hollows can collect cold air and rain, so I would prefer to avoid the basin if possible. They are not called 'frost hollows' for nothing.

Assuming the weather is coming from the west, I would like to find a spot on the ridge in the background just a little bit on the lee side of some of the trees. Not too close to the trees – falling branches.

Cheers

[Gary Dunckel]

I like that cluster of trees on the far right of the photo, right in the middle, top to bottom. They don't seem to be the tallest trees, so maybe the lightning will go somewhere else. I can't tell where west is in the photo, but I would want to be on the lee side, on the edge of the trees for some protection from the wind. Then, you want to be sure you don't have any metal objects near you (pack frame?). That's one reason I love my carbon fiber trekking poles for supporting my various tents. I'm not sure how I would cook my dinner though (metal stove and canister, titanium pot). Maybe just wait the storm out, or else eat a Pro Meal Bar, and call that good?

Randy, what many of the posters maybe don't know is that our Colorado afternoon thunder/lightning storms are usually intense, but brief. It's the lightning that we have to worry about, not so much the rain. Mags knows what I mean.

[Randy Martin]

Good point Gary about the general brevity of the intense part of storms in our home state. In some cases, perhaps the best choice is just put my poncho on, find trees for short term protection and wait out any intense lightning.

[Luke Schmidt]

I'd probably work my way down into the trees a bit too. If I'm that close to the treeline I figure I might as well spend an extra 10 minutes and get down where I'm safer if a storm blows in (yes its happened a few times).

Dave I always preferred to camp in a somewhat open area so I could see better (and so a bear wouldn't stumble on me sleeping). I'm guessing your theory is less bears in the dense forest?

[Anonymous]

In the large grove of trees at the right, well below the ridgeline.

Edit: To refine it, there is a small finger of trees at the right of the frame, leading up to the forest. At the upper tip of that finger, just before the forest looks to be a small clearing. That would be the place I'd check first. If not, I'd follow the lower margin of the forest until something turned up.

[Paul Magnanti]

"And yes, my mother has a PhD. I have a PhD and a clinical doctorate."

My Mom worked retail/was a medical receptionist. My dad is a retired sheetmetal worker.
I DO have a middle initial.

Whadda I win??? ;)

[Ian]

Oops I think Tom Ctrl-V'd the wrong quote although funny since I just left that thread!

[Anonymous]

"Whadda I win??? ;)"

A big hug for catching that quote and saving me further embarrassment. It was left over from another post I was commenting on over in CHAFF. Buffer problem with my browser, I think. No PhD's in my family. :)

[Anonymous]

"Oops I think Tom Ctrl-V'd the wrong quote although funny since I just left that thread!"

I guess I could try a CYA maneuver and say I was trying to get Michael L to come over here and talk about something to do with backpacking. ;0)

[Paul Magnanti]

No worries..funnier more than anything. :)

As for grizzlies, no grizzes left in Colorado for while now.

As Gary said, lightning in the summer is the real "fun"!

[Jerry Adams]

I was kind of curious because you seemed to be sympathetic on the other thread but it seemed critical or sarcastic on this thread : )

But you edited out the mis-quote so no one will know what anyone's talking about

I guess that's the nature of the internet – no one knows what anyone else is talking about but it doesn't matter…

[David Adair]

We need to annotate this photo with our respective tent sites.

"Good point Gary about the general brevity of the intense part of storms in our home state. In some cases, perhaps the best choice is just put my poncho on, find trees for short term protection and wait out any intense lightning."

Jeez Martin why are you asking all these imports anyway? You and I are the only Colorado natives in this thread.

Lightning is why I insist on using my Exped UL9 insulated air mattress. It has an insulation value of R=5.9. I am not sure what that works out to in Ohms though.

[Nick Gatel]

This is an outstanding thread!

The best spot is where the photographer is standing. Plenty of late afternoon and early morning sun. Fantastic views. Not the safest spot though… decisions, decisions, decisions.

[Anonymous]

"Not the safest spot though… decisions, decisions, decisions."

If you've ever had a close call with lightning, the decision is real easy. ;)

[Andy F]

I'd go into the forest as low as time and flood possibility permit. I don't think I small cluster of trees provides significantly more lightening protection than one tree.

[Michael L]

"I guess I could try a CYA maneuver and say I was trying to get Michael L to come over here and talk about something to do with backpacking. ;0)"

Hey now. I do read all of these. It is just that I'm a novice compared to most so I keep quiet. If I have experience on a subject, I comment!

I can see a series of posts like this. Very fun/informative.

[Buck Nelson]

I would push down into the trees a little way if I was expecting lightning. I agree with the theory that a small clump of trees may not be better than a single tree.

If I expected a storm without lighting, I'd find a spot protected from the wind in the area to the right.

[D C]

This is the most interesting and helpful series of posts I have come across in quite some time.

Thank you

[Marko Botsaris]

This is probably stamped with my usual laziness, but I was thinking (if I'm judging the scale right from the picture) in the lee of one of the bushes in the mid ground. Feeling like the hill itself and the bowl=shaped shelf might provide some protection from strikes.

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