So we're heading out this weekend and I noticed we're going to be in for some scattered thunderstorms. No big deal as we've ridden them out before. Just curious what you all do to avoid "elemental dangers" while you're out there. A couple quick ones just off the top of my head:

- Set up your tent in an area that's as best cleared from potential falling trees as you can. "avoid the widow makers"
- Get off the lake when there's lightening coming

I bring a weather radio. And a ditch kit.

One thing I've recently learned, tie the canoe down at night or if you notice some rough looking weather headed your way.

Tie the canoe down at night...bow and stern!! When arriving at a "new" campsite, ascertain whether there are any clouds within 50 miles of you. If so, rainfly goes up first!!

i always look for a secure spot to ride out a big blow should it happen...large boulder, depression, large tree already down.

I always tie the canoe down, both ends. I hang my food bag in the tallest tree so if it's hit by lightening breakfast is cooked when I get up. Other than that I don't worry about it much.

quote kanoes: "i always look for a secure spot to ride out a big blow should it happen...large boulder, depression, large tree already down."

+1 I don't ride out severe storms in the tent anymore, I like to see whats going on around me .

quote Basspro69: "

quote kanoes: "i always look for a secure spot to ride out a big blow should it happen...large boulder, depression, large tree already down."

+1 I don't ride out severe storms in the tent anymore, I like to see whats going on around me ."

I usually do the scoping for a depression or other secure place for a big blow.

I so want to subscribe to the leave the tent during a storm as I can see the logic in this practice but would find it hard to leave the false security of a dry warm tent. Do you set up under a tarp instead while the storm rages?

The best sleep I've had since 1983 was in a thunderstorm on Topaz 2 years ago. Slept 9 hours, ate breakfast and slept 3 more.

quote oldgentleman: "I always tie the canoe down, both ends. I hang my food bag in the tallest tree so if it's hit by lightening breakfast is cooked when I get up. Other than that I don't worry about it much."

Hot breakfast. Funny!

quote luft: "

quote Basspro69: "

quote kanoes: "i always look for a secure spot to ride out a big blow should it happen...large boulder, depression, large tree already down."

+1 I don't ride out severe storms in the tent anymore, I like to see whats going on around me ."

I usually do the scoping for a depression or other secure place for a big blow.


I so want to subscribe to the leave the tent during a storm as I can see the logic in this practice but would find it hard to leave the false security of a dry warm tent. Do you set up under a tarp instead while the storm rages? "

Nope just my rainsuit, usually between some boulders if I can. Im talking severe thunderstorms also, they almost never last more than an hour, and its usually 20 to 30 minutes before the worst of it is over. p.s. I always check for widow makers when I set up my tent.

Do's and Don'ts for Heavy Weather :)

quote Basspro69: "

quote kanoes: "i always look for a secure spot to ride out a big blow should it happen...large boulder, depression, large tree already down."

+1 I don't ride out severe storms in the tent anymore, I like to see whats going on around me ."

+1

If it is going on while I am awake, I like to be outside watching it all go down. If at night, I'm probably asleep and will not wake up for it. One of the items I do shortly after setting up camp or during is find a couple areas that will offer protection in the event of a serious weather event. Can't do much more than that.

Weathered out a storm on an island while fishing in Canada last weekend in our rain suits. Looked pretty much over so we headed back out only to have another lightning strike. Then all was good.

Once years ago a lightning storm hit while paddling somewhere around Slim or Loon Lake (up from LIS) I was able to paddle under a rock and actually stayed pretty dry.

But sometimes I stay in the tent and take my chances... But only after much preparation and making sure there is no widow makers. Any tree can become a widow maker though if it's hit just right with lightning.