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Activity
Summer walking
When
Ascending
Injury
No injury
Incident
I was walking with my daughter and had climbed 3 of the 5 Monroes when we noticed an unforecast storm brewing over Ben Nevis, across the valley. We were obliged to continue walking which unfortunately included 2 more ascents and descents. By this time rain was reasonably heavy but we had waterproofs and walking sticks. Suddenly we were simultaneously struck by lightening, standing approximately 5 metres apart. We were not at the highest point so continuing was needed but hazardous. No further incident occurred. However we learnt the next day of a fatality on a neighbouring Munroe around the same time as our strike [www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/lightning-strike-death-scotland-highlands-woman-hiking-glencoe-a8950726.html]
Lessons
Always prepare for extremes of weather. Check carefully the weather patterns (though that didn't help us in this incident). If using walking sticks ensure that the rubber tips are on (they kept falling off my daughter's sticks but fortunately she found replacements before the strike. Minimize touching rocks.
Causes
Lightening strike
Anonymous?
No
Reported By
Participant
Wearing Helmets?
Rescue Services Involved?
We did not require assistance since we were shaken but unharmed. However we noticed helicopter activity about 2 hours after the strike, presumably to attend to the to other party which incurred 1 fatality and 2 other injured people.
Author
Malvena Stuart Taylor
11 February 2020 at 16:19:40
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