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Date of Incident
08/12/2019
Country
England
Area
Route
Incident
Our group stopped for a drink and chat in the shelter of a Tor around midday. The wind was blowing 25-30 so the calm was appreciated.
We heard a distant rumble but though nothing of it, forecast was for strong winds and heavey showers, although only a couple of light showers had hit us so far.
The first we knew of the storm was the lightning strike this side of the adjacent hill. Too close for comfort.
Our party made for cover down hill, aiming for the shelter of a depression below a small outcrop. We almost made it, but the wind increased to 40+mph, firing hail like bullets and grounding our movements.
Huddling with our backs to the wind we waited for it to pass over, it cleared up within minutes, leaving as quickly as it had arrived.
Lessons
A distant roll of thunder can move fast, there we no other warning signs that this hazard would present itself. If we had not had the knowkedge of where to seek shelter we probably would have remained sheltering next to the big lightning conductor on the highest hill more miles around. Not ideal...
Activity
Summer walking
When
On top of a Tor
Injury
No injury
Causes
Adverse Weather
Anonymous?
Yes
Reported By
Participant
Wearing Helmets?
Rescue Services Involved?
Author
1 August 2020 at 18:56:56
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All reports are self-submitted and have not been edited by the BMC in any way, so please keep an open mind regarding the lessons and causes of each incident or near-miss.