Alright, figured I’d walk through how I tackled the Thunder at Trail Blazers situation today. Woke up early buzzing to see the skies clear as glass. Grabbed my gear thinking it’d be smooth sailing.
First Steps & The Setup
Threw on my worn hiking boots feeling confident. Packed basic stuff: water, snacks, first-aid kit. Saw some clouds in the distance but brushed it off. “Nah, won’t hit us,” I mumbled to myself. Started walking that trail feeling real good.
Hearing the Rumble
Halfway up the mountain, heard this low grumble like a stomach growl. Looked up seeing dark clouds crawling over the ridge. Felt a cold gust smack my face. Thought, “That thunder sounds way closer than it should.” Panic kinda tingled in my fingers.
Quick Actions I Took:
- Zipped open my pack hunting for rain cover
- Checked phone – zero signal, obviously
- Yelled to my buddy down the trail to hustle up
- Scanned for any rock overhangs nearby
Making Moves When Sky Split Open
Sky lit up white-bright for a second. One Mississippi… BOOM. That thunder cracked right overhead like fireworks exploding. Rain started pelting down hard. Duck walked toward a rocky outcrop wiping water from my eyes. Buddy slipped in mud grabbing my arm to steady himself.
Undercover Reality Check
- Shivering under that tiny rock ledge
- Wind whipping rain sideways soaking our backs
- Thunder shaking the ground every few minutes
- Stupidly realized fleece jackets soak water like sponges
Waiting It Out & Climbing Down
Sat there munching soggy trail mix for nearly an hour listening to nature’s drama. Finally the thunder rumbled farther east like a train leaving the station. Rain slowed to drizzle. Crawled out stiff-legged staring at wrecked trail becoming mini rivers. Trudged downhill slow-motion style avoiding slick roots.
Key Takeaways: Mother nature does whatever she wants with zero warnings. That cheap plastic poncho in my bag’s bottom? Totally useless when you need it fast. Pack rain gear in the dang outside pockets next time. And dry socks? Should’ve brought two extra pairs. Never trusting “clear skies” again.
