Crystal Gravelle was on the second last day of her first backpacking trip in August 2005 when three storms converged over Ontario’s Killarney Provincial Park, peppering the park with lightning.

She and a friend were part-way down an especially technical descent near the end of La Cloche Silhouette Trail in the pouring rain, trying to get to lower ground, when she felt what she thought was her foot exploding. She’d been struck by lightning. She survived, but it wasn’t until the next day she learned someone else struck by lighting in the park that day hadn’t. 

On today’s episode of Catch Me Outside, Crystal will tell her survival story. Then, Steve Jones, an instructor with iRescue training who teaches courses in emergency wilderness survival and first aid. Steve has taught countless backcountry explorers how to mitigate risks in the wilderness, and today, he’ll share some lightning safety tips anyone who spends time in the backcountry should hear. 

📍Killarney Provincial Park borders the lands of Point Grondine, Wikwemikong, Whitefish River and Whitefish Lake First Nations.

It is because of the Indigenous Odawa, Ojibway and Potowatomi peoples and their relationship with the land that backpackers like me are able to experience it in such a beautiful, intimate way today.
 

Episode shoutout

iRescue Training - https://irescuetraining.com

 

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