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Sonic
Trad climber
Central Coast, California
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Jul 14, 2011 - 01:44pm PT
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Weschrist-
I've seen a couple up around echo lake, but not around the lake
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Jul 14, 2011 - 01:48pm PT
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I saw a Mountain Gartersnake, Thamnophis elegans elegans, above Mineral King at 10,800'.
Mountain Gartersnake range:
Occurs throughout the Sierra Nevada Mountains, through most of the north except for the outer Coast Ranges south at least as far as Mt. St. Helena. There is an isolated population in the San Bernardino mountains and in the Sacramento Valley. Ranges north into Oregon. The species Thamnophis elegans ranges from sea level to 13,100 ft. (3,990 m) in elevation in Colorado. (Stebbins, 2003)
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Mike Bolte
Trad climber
Planet Earth
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Jul 14, 2011 - 01:54pm PT
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Thanks for the post and the story Dick. I have always assumed, that Tuolumne was rattlesnake free. Nice photos.
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Chaz
Trad climber
greater Boss Angeles area
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Jul 14, 2011 - 01:54pm PT
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Weschrist,
Google "rattlesnake avoidance", and you should find someone who can snake-proof your dog.
My dogs have all been snake-trained, and they don't want anything to do with snakes anymore. If the Doberman thinks she's spotted a snake, she won't even let me get near it.
I saw a big black one a few years ago on the Mt San Bernardino trail, between Limber Pine Bench and Washington Monument - at least 9,000 feet.
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James Wilcox
Boulder climber
Santa Barbara
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Jul 14, 2011 - 01:55pm PT
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Last year I looked into the rattlesnake vaccine for dogs. The vaccine doesn't completely eliminate the need for anti-venom shots if your dog is bite, but it does reduce the number of treatments needed, and maybe more importantly, buys you extra time getting your dog to the vet. But the vacine isn't cheap, either, and lasts for about year if I remember correctly.
A while ago I encountered coal black rattler at Lizard's Mouth here in S.B. In the shade of the manzanita it looked like a stick. A little scary how "invisible" it was.
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Jul 14, 2011 - 02:09pm PT
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We had a dachshund that got nailed at 7000'+ at an area near Flagstaff in the late 90's. Vet said she didn't want to give him anti-venom because of the damage it could do to internal organs, so she pumped him huge with saline and he came out okay. He was like a walking bowl of jello for a while. We didn't expect snakes that high either, but now we know better.
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Chaz
Trad climber
greater Boss Angeles area
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Jul 14, 2011 - 02:14pm PT
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I used these guys to train my dogs:
http://socalrattlesnakeavoidancetraining.com/
They came right to the house.
I used to use a guy in Norco, named Callaghan, until he passed away a couple years ago.
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frog-e
Trad climber
Imperial Beach California
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Jul 14, 2011 - 02:16pm PT
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All the snakes in South east San Diego county are mellow, even the rattles.
they are all kicking back, digging the onshore's and living life in what must be "snake paradise"; cracks in clean huge granite boulders.
Climate control!
They knew we were there, they saw our hands and feet sticking into the cracks we climbed and thought "there are those silly ape things, again'.
The rattles down south, they like siesta, and margaritas with the sunset.
they are the home crew, and you better respect 'em Pancho.
Cause they could wreck yer day any darn time they want.
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Chaz
Trad climber
greater Boss Angeles area
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Jul 14, 2011 - 02:18pm PT
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I'd like to see a few rattlers around here.
The king snakes and racers have taken over ( they eat rattlesnakes ), so now the goddamn ground squirrels are out of control.
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surfstar
climber
Santa Barbara, CA
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Jul 14, 2011 - 02:19pm PT
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So not cool. I thought I was safe at elevation. How long until the poison oak makes its way up too?
Great, one more thing to worry about next weekend - what's worse though, the skeeters or rattlers in the Meadows right now?
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Jul 14, 2011 - 02:19pm PT
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So, Chaz, is this a pooch before or after training by these guys? :-)
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Bad Acronym
climber
Little Death Hollow
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Jul 14, 2011 - 02:23pm PT
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Sat down about a foot next to a baby rattler (7") a couple weeks ago at the campground boulders at the leap. We were fiddling around with big bro placements in less-than-parallel cracks. A guy nearby jumps up, grabs the #5, pushes the trigger and attempts to persuade the little guy to move on. He then utters one of my new favorite (climbing-related) quotes: "Dude, it's not responding to the big bro."
Conclusion: the #5 proves nearly useless in all regards.
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Daphne
Trad climber
Mill Valley, CA
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Jul 14, 2011 - 02:29pm PT
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Bad Acronym, thanks for the laugh! Great line!
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Chaz
Trad climber
greater Boss Angeles area
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Jul 14, 2011 - 02:34pm PT
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Reilly,
That's during the training.
That dog is wearing a shock-collar, and he's about to get zapped.
He'll never get that close to a rattler again.
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TYeary
Social climber
State of decay
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Jul 14, 2011 - 02:59pm PT
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Mountain Gartersnake, Thamnophis elegans elegans
Caught one coming off the Vivian Creek Trail, San G. a while back. Not common but in isolated populations as Reilly says.
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rmuir
Social climber
From the Time Before the Rocks Cooled.
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Jul 14, 2011 - 03:15pm PT
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Another venomous critter... I've seen small scorpion more than once in the Whitney Portal (8,000') in the last 20 years. ...surprised to see them that high.
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Friedo
Trad climber
South Lake Tahoe
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Jul 14, 2011 - 03:23pm PT
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Although I do fear for my dogs safety (seeing her get bit is my worst nightmare), you have to remember that rattlers don't want to bite you. They rattle when they feel threatened. Just back away when you hear it. The only way you'll get bit is if you step on one, get WAY too close to a coiled one, or start f**king with one...
I think it's actually pretty cool that they warn you when you're too close!
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Crillz
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Jul 14, 2011 - 03:43pm PT
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It'd be nice if they warned you every time, but about half the time I see them around Leavenworth, WA it's like they're on stealth missions (which they actually are I suppose). I've seen more this year than the last few years combined.
I'm pretty sketched now and carry sticks to probe the bushes along the climber trails, and try to be super cautious. They've got pretty good camo though, and are pretty hard to see until you get close, see them move, or hear them rattling.
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tallguy
Trad climber
eastside
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Jul 14, 2011 - 03:55pm PT
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Actually Cragman, I don't think that snakes hear the noise of rack at all (other types of animals would though). It's your footsteps I think. Walk heavily and maybe you give them the warning they need.
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TYeary
Social climber
State of decay
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Jul 14, 2011 - 03:58pm PT
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Dean, I'm still waiting to see pics of your Rosy Boas there in June Lake.
Have you seen any this season yet?
TY (Tony)
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