Joe, drowning was the least of my concerns. Not being transformed into a crispy critter at Mother Nature's holiday BBQ was all I really cared about. I once had a lightning bolt strike about 15 feet from where I was standing, and I've had a more-than-healthy respect ever since.
Almost all of my backcountry trips are non-events, but every once in a while . . . remind me to tell you some time about a group camping trip a few years ago. It involved several buddies who weren't really hikers, a trunkful of booze and beer, a curious, persistent bear, and one idiot's idea of the cool photo that might be had if they could just get the bear drunk . . .
Don't worry about an eventful Whitney backpack - it's not exactly a wilderness experience, with the exception of no cellphone reception (forget that SAR call, dude). Pesky marmots will be the only four-legged concern, so don't sweat and we'll be OK (they love salt).
