Dune climbers trapped during storm screamed as sand pelted ‘like a million needles’

LEELANAU, MICHIGAN — The sounds were terrifying, Kathy Ockaskis said. Skies that suddenly become dark over Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on Sunday afternoon had unleashed their fury, dropping torrential rain and hail with winds that blew the sand up so violently it stung.

Ockaskis, of Comstock Park, felt it all against her bare skin as she fought to climb the large dune from Lake Michigan along Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive on Aug. 2. “It felt like a million needles,” she said. “People were yelling, ‘We’re going to die.’” Ockaskis and her family, an athletic and adventurous crew, had already completed the climb without a problem earlier in the day. It rained for awhile after they finished their first hike, but then the skies cleared. It didn’t seem as though anything was ahead except for some rain later in the forecast. They made their way back down to the water in bathing suits to swim. Ockaskis’ son stubbed his toe and her husband headed up early with him. Ockaskis, her 15-year-old daughter and her daughter’s friend stayed behind on the beach. The skies began to darken after some time and they, too, started the climb back. They were about halfway up the dune when the skies let loose around 4 p.m. The next several minutes were a state of pandemonium as about 25 people on the dune began frantically climbing, Ockaskis said. “It was horrifying … the most painful thing I’ve ever endured.” Screams came from all over. Climbers called out, crying that the scene felt like movie.

Read more of  Heidi Fenton ‘s story on mlive

Pictures below via Twitter from the area