Sounds like how Moses described it too ;-)

I don't like those conditions either. I won't summit under those conditions, but I guess I have always felt safe 700-1000 feet or more below the summit even if it looks stormy. Having said that, I really enjoy hiking in the rain so long as I have a hat to keep the water out of my eyes and a jacket is always nice too. When Steve C and I were hiking Half Dome, I retreated when I was about 20 yards from the top of the cables and saw clouds racing in. When I told Steve I was heading back down, he wondered about me, but supported my decision. As it turns out, nothing happened up there and Steve was no worse off for his decision to continue on. He got a little rain, but no lightning and no thunder. (He probably felt more comfortable with his karma. Me? I would be way too irresistable a target.)

Regarding the barometer--it will drop as you gain elevation regardless of whether there is a storm coming. According to this chart, standard pressure at 10K feet should have been at 20.6: http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/air-altitude-pressure-d_462.html


Brent