As many have now heard, the deaths of two 25-year-old hunters, Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko, in Colorado’s Conejos County were attributed to a lightning strike. After last contact with the two took place on September 11, the pair was considered missing for a week until their bodies were recovered on September 18.

Both said to be experienced outdoorsman, those close to the case have called the situation a ‘wrong place, wrong time’ scenario, highlighting how unpredictable and terrifying lightning can be in Colorado.

According to the National Weather Service, around 500,000 lightning strikes take place in Colorado each year, resulting in an average of two fatalities and 12 injuries. While average cloud-to-ground flash density in Colorado was last ranked at 32nd among American states during a recent 10-year period, the state ranked 7th in terms of lightning-related deaths during roughly the same time frame, and it ranks 4th in deaths if looking at numbers dating back to 1959. These numbers show the reality of how dangerous lightning can be, especially for those at higher-elevations and above tree line.

As far as lightning safety goes, it’s important for every backcountry traveler to know what to do if a sudden lightning storm rolls in when they’re above tree line.

Be warned of the misconception that hiding under rock outcroppings is a safe thing to do – it’s not. Rocks tend to attract lightning strikes, making them something to avoid. If getting to a lower elevation isn’t an option as a storm starts to hit, spread the group out with at least 150 yards between each member. Maintain visual contact, but don’t be close enough that a single strike would be likely to impact multiple people. Once spread out, crouch down as low to the ground as possible, while also reducing your own footprint – in other words, crouch down on the balls of your feet. Safety tips from Rocky Mountain National Park also mention that sitting or crouching on top of a backpack can reduce direct content with the ground, as well.

Read more about lightning safety here.