Grays and Torreys road getting rough

[peter303]

One of the 46 14er fatalities this decade was directly attributed to lightning.
It is possible that some of falls were due to fresh wet or icy surfaces.
http://www.coloradomountaineering.com/2 ... hs-on.html

Speaking for myself, Zeus's anger is rather terrifying if its not that dangerous.

P.S. To my knowledge there were 13 more after this study, all falls except for one heart attack.

[thurs]

One of the 46 14er fatalities this decade was directly attributed to lightning.
It is possible that some of falls were due to fresh wet or icy surfaces.
http://www.coloradomountaineering.com/2 ... hs-on.html

Speaking for myself, Zeus's anger is rather terrifying if its not that dangerous.

P.S. To my knowledge there were 13 more after this study, all falls except for one heart attack.

Well, you're not including the injury rate which is significantly higher (only 1/10 lightning strikes are fatal). Like in 2015, when 15 people were struck on Bierstadt, and 3 had to go to the hospital, and somebody's dog died. No human deaths, but your cited statistics omit all sorts of scenarios like that. But yes, in the grand scheme of things, running downhill to escape lightning is far more likely to injure you than the lightning itself.

[AnnaG22]

TL;DR YER GONNA DIE!!!!1!1!!

Seriously though, late August is not a time of year where starting at 11.30am tends to work out well. If you were asking about doing that during Indian summer in October, it might be a different story, but even that entails watching the weather carefully.

I've started from trailheads mid- to late morning before, and even started as late as 1.30 pm when I did Mount Edwards. but those trips involved A) bluebird forecast all day, which usually isn't a thing in August, and B) knowing when I started that I might have to turn around if unforecasted weather manifested, and being okay with that reality.
-----------
Quibbling: 17 people were struck on Bierstadt in 2015, and a german shepherd died. Its owner said it saved him. People also were hospitalized/killed by lightning on Yale that year.

[jfofun]

is it t-storm potential in afternoon

Yep, primarily. Storms can roll in quickly and without significant warning. If you recognize incoming inclement weather, even on a relatively short hike like Grays/Torreys, it will be likely an hour or two before you get below treeline. That's a lot of exposed time. Starting that late puts you in exposed territory during the time of the day when t-storms are the most prevalent, and keeps you in it for the entirety of your hike.

Is there cellular/internet coverage along the route and near/peak to check weather radar via a phone app?

[benlen]

is it t-storm potential in afternoon

Yep, primarily. Storms can roll in quickly and without significant warning. If you recognize incoming inclement weather, even on a relatively short hike like Grays/Torreys, it will be likely an hour or two before you get below treeline. That's a lot of exposed time. Starting that late puts you in exposed territory during the time of the day when t-storms are the most prevalent, and keeps you in it for the entirety of your hike.

Is there cellular/internet coverage along the route and near/peak to check weather radar via a phone app?

https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/cellrepo ... Grays+Peak

[mtree]

I am planning to hike Grays/Torrey's on Sunday 8/26. I am flying into Denver that morning and unfortunately won't be able to get to trailhead until about 11:30am.

1130am start time is fine. Just realize you typically stand a better chance of stormy weather later in the afternoon. If you're taking the standard route, rain/hail/snow won't affect trail conditions significantly other than maybe a little slick. Wind and rain can make you wet and cold. You decide how to deal with it. If you're ok with lightning its just a bunch of loud and potentially deadly obstacles you cannot juke. Most lightning strikes are not direct hits, but move across the ground to give you a serious ass poking and you'll probably get knocked off your feet. If you fall, you'll fall on rock and that hurts bad. Most folks don't wear a helmet on Gray's standard route, but you might want to consider bringing one. Like every hike, there are risks involved so prepare accordingly. Otherwise, you should have plenty of daylight to complete your hike and might have the summit all to yourself!

Now, if you're bringing kids I'd have to say its not a good idea. After all, they're depending on you and its not cool to take kids on adult outings without proper supervision. Have fun!

[kaiman]

One of the 46 14er fatalities this decade was directly attributed to lightning.
It is possible that some of falls were due to fresh wet or icy surfaces.
http://www.coloradomountaineering.com/2 ... hs-on.html

Speaking for myself, Zeus's anger is rather terrifying if its not that dangerous.

P.S. To my knowledge there were 13 more after this study, all falls except for one heart attack.

Well, you're not including the injury rate which is significantly higher (only 1/10 lightning strikes are fatal). Like in 2015, when 15 people were struck on Bierstadt, and 3 had to go to the hospital, and somebody's dog died. No human deaths, but your cited statistics omit all sorts of scenarios like that. But yes, in the grand scheme of things, running downhill to escape lightning is far more likely to injure you than the lightning itself.

This. Just looking at statistics about lightening fatalities is misleading as most strike victims live through it (even though they probably wished they were dead). In general, the rule of thumb is to be off the summit by noon as the warm air and low pressure systems are usually generated throughout the morning and tend to start accumulating over mountains by mid-day.

Kai

[Khronikos]

Last March two guys were stuck up a quarter mile from the parking lot. I went up and didn't do the peak as it was dark and I just wanted to see how it was up there--I'm from MN--but when I came back down they were still stuck in a truck! I convinced them to start digging out the tires--it was hugely embedded and they didn't think it was possible--and eventually that thing came out after an hour or so.

I have a Civic and will be doing Grey's in a couple weeks. I don't think I will be leaving the parking lot.