A tornado forms near Mount Evans, Colo., on Saturday. (Mike and Jamie Connors photo)
Add this to the news of the weird. And the things you have to watch out for when you hiking and climbing in the high country.
On Saturday, a tornado was sighted on the slopes of Mount Evans, a 14,264-foot peak in Colorado’s Front Range.
A National Weather Service report says the tornado was spotted southeast of the peak near Lincoln Lake, with its funnel dropping down to about 12,500 feet. The tornado caused no damage and eventually dissipated.
I can’t say for sure if this is or is close to a record for the highest elevation a tornado has ever been spotted. But it is rare.
Typically, tornadoes are the stuff of violent supercells that occur on the plains east of the Rockies. They can occur anywhere (as evidenced here), but a tornado in the mountains — and that high — is extremely uncommon.
So, a list of stuff to watch out for in the high country: Altitude sickness, lightning, wildlife, dehydration, sun exposure, hypothermia — and tornadoes.
But don’t let that stop you from bagging a peak or two.
Bob Doucette
On Twitter @RMHigh7088
Ugh….creepy!
Indeed. Nowhere to run or hide up there if a tornado is bearing down on ya!
Awesome photo. Talking about being in the right place at the right time. Or maybe they weren’t wishing they were in that place at that moment.
Either way it made a great photo.
Oh yeah. There were some others taken that were pretty good too. Incredible shots or a very rare weather event!