Fun with Thunderstorms

[ProCaliberTraveler]

I hiked up to and over Paiute Pass yesterday at above 11,000 feet of elevation. There are dense splotches of wildflower color through the basin from where the below image was taken. This was my turnaround point. You can see Mt. Humphries in the background; this is one of the prominent peaks to the west of Bishop, CA.

While shooting the flowers, I was startled by a boom of thunder. I knew thunderstorms were in the forecast, but I didn't expect them to develop so early. The below image was taken from the pass. I knew I didn't want to be in an open area or on top of the pass in a thunderstorm.

After coming down from the pass, I felt a bit safer. I took a rest by Paiute Lake below the pass where I felt the beginnings of rain. A few people were fishing nearby.

This was the last image I took before I put my camera away because of a downpour. A few minutes later, I saw bolts of lightning overhead that struck the peaks. The thunder was roaring. I soon got pelted by hail. The trail turned into a flowing stream. You can imagine the adrenaline rush I felt!

This turned out to be arguably the wildest hike I've done. Such a thrill and certainly a learning experience.

 

[AlanLichty]

Sounds like you had fun getting your extra adrenaline for the day I like your shots of the hike and the atmospherics.

 

[Michael13]

[QUOTE="ProCaliberTraveler, post: 223988, member: 1294"

While shooting the flowers, I was startled by a boom of thunder. I knew thunderstorms were in the forecast, but I didn't expect them to develop so early. The below image was taken from the pass. I knew I didn't want to be in an open area or on top of the pass in a thunderstorm.

You were lucky! Thunderstorm at high elevation can be deadly. Good thing you knew what to do in that situation.

I like the first and last images best. The first because of the deceptive calm and the last for showing the aftermath.

 

[Jeffrey]

Great experience up there for you. I've been over that pass a dozen times. Never had THAT kind of excitement!

 

[JimFox]

What a great time you had Michael. I am glad you got below tree line after the storm hit, though capturing the lightning would have been cool too.

The afternoon thunderstorms sure do sneak up fast. I will be dealing with that starting next week as I will be up in the mountains in Colorado chasing wildflowers.