DRAKENSBERG
KwaZulu-Natal
South Africa
Mountain of the Dragons
South Africa’s mightiest
mountain range with its spear-like peaks – reminiscent of the saw-toothed spine
of a gigantic dragon.
Where Adventure
beckons..........
DRAKENSBERG WILDERNESS PHOTOS ©
WILLEM PELSER
“WHEN YOU SEE LIGHTNING, IT HAS ALREADY MISSED YOU. WHEN YOU HEAR
THUNDER, RELAX, THE SHOW IS OVER. THE NOISE IS JUST THE AUDIENCE RUSHING FOR
THE EXITS.”
UNKNOWN
THUNDERSTORMS IN THE
DRAKENSBERG MOUNTAINS
The Dragon of the Dragon Mountains comes out of his lair and roars
defiance with Fire and Fury…
One of the most dramatic
and awe-inspiring displays of nature is the sky-splitting spear of light that
flashes from the thunder cloud during a storm and the deafening roar that
follows it. It is not surprising that our ancestors were unable to explain lightning,
and consigned it to the world of the supernatural. Today, we know that
lightning is no more than a gigantic spark, and our scientists have been able
to explain exactly what brings it about.
When a thunder
cloud is being formed, a mass of warm, humid air rises until it cools and
condenses into water vapor and tiny ice crystals. In due course, as the clouds
grow in size, these droplets, and crystals coalesce to form raindrops and hail.
When this happens, a separation of electric charges takes place within the
cloud by a complicated process that need not detain us here. What is important
is that the cloud mass now becomes a huge dynamo, generating millions of volts
of electricity. It acts, too, as a huge storage battery, with the positive
terminal at the top of the cloud, and the negative terminal at the bottom –
perhaps several kilometers below.
Meanwhile, the base of the cloud which carries an overall negative charge
induces a positive charge on the surface of the earth directly below. As the cloud
drift over the countryside, the positive charge on the ground follows the
negative charge like shadow, climbing trees, ridges, pinnacles – anything that
will bring it closer to the cloud.
We must now
note that when a negatively charged object is brought into contact with one
that has a positive charge, electrons flow from one to the other so that the
two objects become equalized, and the tension between them neutralized. If,
however, the current is high enough, they do not even need to touch – the
electrons will leap across the space separating them, making a spark. Lightning
is nothing more than spark on a gigantic scale. It is in fact, the high current
discharge which cancels the electrical imbalance within the storm cloud itself,
or between the cloud and the earth. The potential difference in energy between
the cloud and the ground can be as much as a thousand-million volts of
electricity! It is estimated that there are about 1 800 storms in operation
throughout the world at any one time, and that lightning strikes the earth
about 100 times every second.
When lightning
flashes, we do not see the electrons themselves. What we see is the air
particles in the strike path which have been super-heated to incandescence. The
particles are made white-hot by the lightning current, and reach temperatures
as high as 30 000 degrees centigrade. The super-heated air expands explosively,
producing a shock-wave, which breaks the sound barrier and we hear thunder.
The long
drawn-out peal that issues from a single stroke of lightning may last for
several seconds. There are several reasons for this. In the first place, sound
travels at about 330 meters per second, or about one kilometer in 3 seconds –
far slower than the speed of light. If lightning strikes nearby, the first
acoustic signal to reach our ears (usually a deafening crash) will come from
the end of the stroke, perhaps only a short distance away. Sound, however, will
be generated along the entire length of the lightning path, which might extend
several kilometers into the sky. This means that thunder will be heard
continuously until the sound waves from the furthest point of the strike
channel have reached us. The sound we hear is uneven because lightning normally
takes an uneven path. This brings about the rolling and rumbling effects which
last for many seconds. Reflections, or echoes, from mountains or valleys may accentuate
these sound effects, and cause them to continue even longer. This is one of the
reasons why storms in mountain regions are so dramatic.
Incidentally, with our knowledge of the speed of sound, we can easily determine
the approximate distance of a lightning strike. All we have to do is count the
number of seconds it takes for the peal of thunder to reach us after the flash
appeared, and divide the time in seconds by three. This will give the distance
in kilometers between us and the point of impact.
Every year,
people in Kwa-Zulu Natal are killed by lightning. Most of these are people
living in grass huts, but lightning fatalities are not unknown in the
Drakensberg. Many years ago, a man and a girl (daughter of the Administrator of
the Free State) were killed on the escarpment close to the Namahadi pass near
the Chain Ladder in the Royal Natal National Park. A brass plaque,
commemorating their deaths, use to stand at the spot – a solemn reminder to all
passers-by of the perils of a summer storm. A game ranger, John Clarke and his
girlfriend, Carol Richter, together with their dog, were killed by lightning
during a “dry storm” on the 20th December 1979. They were
standing on a ledge overlooking the Injasuthi Valley at the time, watching the
storm built up.
Lightning generally
follows the shortest possible route between a cloud and the earth. For this
reason we should avoid tall trees, rocky outcrops, and high summits,
particularly if they are well defined. There is, however some evidence to prove
that a tall pinnacle or rock projection can act as a lightning conductor, and
provide a zone of protection for the hiker. The area protected by the high
point is termed the lightning shadow, and its area has a diameter four times
the height of the projection.
If the hiker
finds himself in an exposed position during a thunder storm, he should avoid
running for shelter at all cost. Running in a potentially charged area creates
a magnetic field which attracts lightning. He should crouch down on some kind
of insulating material, such as a sleeping bag or pile of clothing. Standing or
lying down can be dangerous. You should keep out of vertical cracks and
chimneys flowing with water, and away from dripping overhangs. Water is a good
conductor of lightning, and hikers have received severe shocks even hundreds of
meters below a summit after a strike. Rock climbers should remember that a wet
abseil rope will provide a good path for an electrical current, while belay
ropes can direct a stream
of water on to the body.
Perhaps the very best advice is, keep calm, and never
give way to panic. If you have taken reasonable safeguards and precautions,
your chances of being hit by lightning are very slim. Enjoy the show!!
Sunrise from the summit of the Berg is never more beautiful than after a
night of storms. The air is clean and bracing, and the silence is undisturbed.
The light breaks through the parting clouds in a blaze of glory, and lays a
mantle of gold over the rain-washed peaks. This is the moment to be awake and
alert, for the beauty of daybreak never lingers.
If you are in the
mountains, you need to assess your situation and decide what to do. Here are
some guidelines:
If you’re
above the tree line on an exposed ridge, get lower. Don’t hide under trees.
If you’re
in a forest and can’t find a clearing, find the lowest group of trees you can
and try to stay away from their bases.
If you
can, look for a cave, or find a low, open space, a meadow, or a clearing of
some kind, and head to the lowest ground possible. The entrance to a cave
can be hazardous, so move in and out as quickly as possible.
Stay away
from taller rocks. Rocks can attract lightning the same as anything; if there’s
an appealing shelter under a rock; make sure it’s not very tall.
If you’re
in an open space, spread out about 20 feet apart from each other and away from
tall trees, and try to stay dry and warm. Wait for the storm to clear, or until
you haven’t had lightning closer to you than 10 seconds (mark the time from
when you see the flash to when you hear the thunder) for ten minutes, and then
get to safety.
Once you’ve found your
place of refuge, whether in a group of shorter trees, the back of a cave, a low
spot in a meadow, or a low spot on a talus slope, get into the lightning
position. Minimize your contact with the ground by standing on a foam pad with
your feet close together and crouch or squat to lower your overall height. If
you don’t have a foam pad, you can use your pack. Make sure to keep your shoes
on, as the sole will help insulate you. The idea is to minimize your contact
with the ground and stay insulated from the ground.
If you’re at your camp,
evaluate how close a proper shelter is. If a building or your car is nearby,
then head for it. Otherwise, evaluate the safety of your camp spot. Are
you near tall trees? Are you on a high point in a clearing? If your tent is not
near tall trees, and you’re in a low spot in a clearing, you’re probably best
staying in it. Remove all the metal items you can and put them far away from
your tent. Try to stay insulated from the ground using your sleeping pads and
backpacks. The exception would be if you have an old tent with steel or
non-anodized aluminum poles, as these will conduct electricity. If your tent
has anodized aluminum poles or fiberglass poles and you’re pitched in a good
spot, staying in your tent may be your best option.
If you’re climbing, you’re
in a tough spot. The best option is to go down. If this isn’t possible and you
have to wait it out on the wall, try to find a good ledge or a cave you can
take shelter on or hide in. Space out as best you can from your climbing
partners. If you get stuck at a hanging belay, have some people lower down so
your group is as spaced out as possible. Bolts and chains will attract/conduct
electricity, but your anodized aluminum carabineers won’t
(provided the coating is not worn off). It’s important to remember, however,
that everything conducts electricity when it’s wet.
If someone gets struck by
lightning, there are three major risks: electrical shock, secondary heat
production, and explosive force. Electrical shock and skin burns are the most
common injuries sustained after a lightning strike. Send for help immediately,
treat for shock right away, make sure the victim is breathing and has a strong
pulse, administer chest compressions and rescue breathing if necessary, and
then treat any burns. Make sure to minimize additional lightning risk while
treating victims.
Remember: the easiest and
most effective way to stay safe in a lightning/thunderstorm is not to get
caught in one. Be alert to signs in the weather that will tell you a
thunderstorm is coming. If you do get caught, assess your situation. How far
are you from safety? How severe is the storm? Can you go down? Should you stay
put? In high alpine terrain, speed is safety. Early starts help you get off the
mountain or out of the danger zone before a storm hits. Having a good base of
fitness, whether hiking, climbing, or paddling, will help you be able to step on
the gas and get out of a bad spot if a storm moves in on your fun.
Do NOT
seek shelter under a picnic shelter, lone tree, or other object to keep you
dry. It will attract lightning. The rain won't kill you so it is better to be
wet and alive than dry and dead.
Come down
from high places. Seek a valley or depression in the terrain. Be careful of
entering a dry wash that may channel a flash flood from the rainstorm.
Seek
shelter in a low stand of trees. This will help keep you dry and not attract
lightning.
If you
are above tree line, seek shelter in the lowest area you can reach, preferably
with large boulders around so you can get some protection from driving rain
behind some smaller boulders.
Put on
your rain gear and remove your backpack.
If you
have a metal frame pack, leave it 100 feet from where you are seeking shelter.
If you
have a hiking stick or poles, leave them with your pack.
Your
group should not huddle together. Instead, have each person find shelter about
100 feet apart. This minimizes the possibility of multiple casualties from a
single strike.
If you
are not able to get to any shelter, you need to become a small target and cross
your fingers. Minimize your contact with the ground and minimize your height.
Crouching down on the balls of your feet placed close together with your head
tucked down is the recommended position. This position reduces your exposure
and encourages any lightning strike to travel down your back and hopefully have
less damage to vital organs. Lightning travels through the ground from the
point of impact in random tendrils similar to tree roots. The smaller your
footprint, the less chance there is of you being shocked from a nearby strike.
Cover
your ears and close your eyes to protect from the intense noise and light of
nearby strikes.
Lightning First Aid
Lightning is an extreme
electric shock and has similar first aid requirements for burns and heart
attacks.
Immediately
after a close strike, do a headcount of everyone in your party having them call
back to you that they are ok. If someone does not respond, go to their
location. Only allow those you need to gather. Keep everyone else spread out
since there is still danger of additional strikes.
There is
no electrical residue after a strike. It is safe to touch someone that has been
struck.
If there
are multiple victims, prioritize care needed. A victim that is not breathing is
highest priority. There is a relatively good chance of reviving a lightning
victim with CPR.
Check for
and give first aid for burns. Check around jewelry, buckles, and fingers and
toes especially.
Treat for
shock, keeping the victim warm and calm.
Immediately
send for help.
The End.
Safe Hiking.
References and Acknowledgements
From the book – “A
Camera in Quathlamba” – ML Pearce
Photos: ©Willem Pelser
Black and White Photos – “A Camera in
Quathlamba” - ML Pearce
Compiled by Willem
Pelser
