Hiking above treeline is one of the great experiences in the mountains, and it is also one of the most exposed. With no trees for shelter, a hiker on a ridge or summit becomes the tallest object for a long way in every direction, which is exactly what lightning looks for. Mountain storms can also build shockingly fast — a clear morning can turn into towering thunderheads by early afternoon. Knowing what to do when you are caught out is essential knowledge, not optional.

Prevention is always the better plan. Check a mountain-specific weather forecast before you leave, not just the general weather app, because valley forecasts miss alpine storm patterns entirely. Start early and plan to be off the summit by noon, since the majority of alpine lightning happens in the afternoon. Watch the sky continuously: towering cumulus clouds with dark bases, sudden wind shifts, or a drop in temperature all signal that a storm is building. If your hair stands on end or metal objects buzz, a strike may be imminent — act immediately.

If a storm catches you, your first priority is to get off high ground. Leave ridges, summits, and exposed shoulders as quickly as you safely can, descending toward lower terrain or below treeline. Do not wait to see if the storm passes — lightning can strike many kilometers from the storm's center, well beyond the range where you hear thunder. Even dropping a hundred feet to a less exposed position meaningfully reduces your risk, so move downhill without hesitation.

When you cannot reach safer terrain, assume the lightning crouch as a last resort. Crouch low on the balls of your feet with your heels touching, tuck your head down, and cover your ears with your hands. Do not lie flat — when lightning strikes nearby, current spreads through the ground, and the greater the distance between your contact points, the more current passes through your body. Crouching on an insulated pad is better than bare rock. If you are in a group, spread out at least fifteen meters apart so one strike cannot injure everyone.

Know what to avoid. Never shelter under a lone tree, near cliff faces, or at cave entrances, because ground current travels along rock. Stay away from water, wet gullies, and metal objects — set trekking poles, ice axes, and frame packs at least thirty meters away from where you crouch. A tent offers no protection from lightning, and neither does a small rock overhang. The only genuinely safe places are substantial buildings and hard-topped vehicles, so if neither is available, your position and posture are all you have.

After the storm passes, wait at least thirty minutes after the last thunder before resuming exposed travel, since storms can regenerate quickly in the mountains. Check your group for injuries, because lightning injuries are not always obvious and the struck person is safe to touch. Treat the experience as a planning lesson: build earlier starts into your route, study how your winter shelter would handle a real storm, and learn why storm-rated pole systems matter for exposed camps. Respect for mountain weather is what keeps alpine hiking a lifetime sport.