Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
phylp
Trad climber
Millbrae, CA
|
|
|
Jul 14, 2011 - 04:07pm PT
|
Wow, this has really changed my assumptions about when I'm likely to encounter a rattler. Now I guess I can just be hyper-vigilant ALL the time!
|
|
StahlBro
Trad climber
San Diego, CA
|
|
|
Jul 14, 2011 - 04:59pm PT
|
Vibrations, heat and really strong sense of "smell". Here is one from JT. I have seen them above 9,000 before.
Got buzzed by a big one on an MTB ride last weekend, which was unusual. It was already buzzing when we got to it. Usually they just ignore us on the bike unless we stop and they feel like they trapped/threatened. This one really had an attitude for some reason.
|
|
looking sketchy there...
Social climber
Latitute 33
|
|
|
Jul 14, 2011 - 05:26pm PT
|
Where is this secret 9,000 ft summit in Josh? ;)
|
|
labrat
Trad climber
Nevada City, CA
|
|
|
Jul 14, 2011 - 05:30pm PT
|
StahBro did not say JT and 9000 in one sentence. Read the post sketchy....
Erik
|
|
crazymountaingoat
Big Wall climber
modesto, ca
|
|
|
Jul 14, 2011 - 05:44pm PT
|
I talked with my vet friend a while back and he said the dog vac.s are good for giving you more time to get help, but the tissue damage from the venom will still happen. so your dog could survive but without limbs posibly. Seems like a good idea overall.
the dog training is only a shock collar? I'll do that myself thank you. Anyone have pet rattlers for a little down home dog trainin'?
|
|
Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
|
|
|
Jul 14, 2011 - 05:58pm PT
|
There's a very high summit somewhere behind Mount Dutzi, possibly on the Cohn property.
|
|
StahlBro
Trad climber
San Diego, CA
|
|
|
Jul 14, 2011 - 06:28pm PT
|
Sketchy,
I'm not telling till I bag all the mega classic choss. It starts in a 5,000 deep ft canyon in Queen Mountain ;-)
|
|
cleo
Social climber
Berkeley, CA
|
|
|
Jul 14, 2011 - 07:49pm PT
|
I had a similar experience, Dick. Saw TWO rattlers on the approach to Snake Dike (guess that's why they call it Snake Dike). The 2nd one I only saw out of the corner of my eye as it lunged at my foot. Luckily it missed... bugger was half in, half out of its hole, which is why it had limited range (and why I didn't hear it buzzing!)
|
|
F10
Trad climber
e350 / Bishop
|
|
|
Jul 14, 2011 - 08:00pm PT
|
"StahBro did not say JT and 9000 in one sentence. Read the post sketchy...."
I've been over 9000' many a night in HVCG....
|
|
Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
|
|
|
Jul 14, 2011 - 08:02pm PT
|
But you don't need to worry if you see Bridwell wearing a feather boa.
Then again,..
(somebody needs to photoshop the shot of him with Billy and Largo)
|
|
Friedo
Trad climber
South Lake Tahoe
|
|
|
Jul 14, 2011 - 08:08pm PT
|
Cragman,
Funny you should mention carrying the rack, since I've scared myself sh*tless when stoppers brush against a rock. Sounds similar to a rattle.
A few weeks ago at the Leap I did just that, then realized it was only my rack. Then my partner came up the approach trail and jumped, "Yup, you were right, that was a rattler"!
Glad I told him I scared myself...
|
|
tom woods
Gym climber
Bishop, CA
|
|
|
Jul 14, 2011 - 08:50pm PT
|
There used to be a big fat one that lived on the shoulder of Half Dome. You could usually see him just off the trail to the right, in the trees, before the campsite at the base of the steps.
I don't know how many people walked by that one, but he/she didn't seem to mind.
|
|
Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
|
|
|
Jul 14, 2011 - 09:03pm PT
|
Would snakes living in such high places migrate in spring and autumn from and to lower elevations, where they'd have more time to get fat before hibernating, and maybe it would be easier to find a dry, safe hibernaculum?
|
|
Tobia
Social climber
GA
|
|
|
Jul 14, 2011 - 10:07pm PT
|
Anti-venom shots are over $900 for dogs in this part of the country. In the last few years I have had 4 dogs to get fanged. None have had any permanent damage. 3 of the 4 were either water moccasin or rattle snake bites (judging by the distance between punctures). One was more than likely from a copperhead. Two were bit on the muzzle, they must have stuck their face in the snakes and the other was on the leg.
The chow, bitten on the leg, skin turned black and swelled somewhat. After a few days his skin returned to normal. The other bites were on labs. Each one's head got to be the size of a small watermelon. One was only a puppy and his head was as big as his body.
Each one of the labs from then on, when approaching a snake, would stand back and give a distinctively different bark. If I was in hearing distance I would go check and there would always be a snake of some type.
I see all kinds of rattle snakes, but on my property I seem to have an abundance of canebrake or timber rattlers. They will only strike when they are cornered and have no means of escape.
I usually leave them alone. I did kill a copperhead not to long ago that was in the stall of a neighbor's barn (along with the horse). Kind of a testy situation not to get clobbered by the horse before getting to the snake. Fortunately the stall was big enough to give the horse a little maneuvering room. It was like two boxers in their corners in a title bout. I was more worried about the horse (17 1/2 hands) freaking out on me than the snake.
|
|
Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
|
|
|
Jul 14, 2011 - 10:36pm PT
|
What a beauty! Glad it didn't bite your gal.
Four feet's a big'un!
|
|
p-owed
Trad climber
Ramona ca
|
|
|
Jul 14, 2011 - 10:50pm PT
|
KILL ALL SNAKES
|
|
surfstar
climber
Santa Barbara, CA
|
|
|
Jul 15, 2011 - 01:39am PT
|
KILL ALL SNAKES
As it relates to surfing, I approve.
|
|
Daphne
Trad climber
Mill Valley, CA
|
|
|
Jul 15, 2011 - 01:51am PT
|
Ok, that does it. I am staying in the gym ;-)
|
|
BurnRockBurn
climber
South of Black Rock City (CC,NV)
|
|
|
Jul 15, 2011 - 02:04am PT
|
I get my dogs The antivenom shots every year. 39 bucks each. Not sure why they are so much other areas of the country. Have taken care if several kids bitten by rattlesnakes in the last couple years. Not pretty and the antidote is over 5000 per vial and you usually start with 2-4 vials. Last kid bit we used 12 vials. Kiddo did great though. Be safe out there
Shawn
|
|
Willoughby
Social climber
Truckee, CA
|
|
|
Jul 15, 2011 - 02:12am PT
|
I've seen rattlers in Inyo Co. up to around 8500' on the eastern slopes. Can't recall any higher than that.
Speaking of garters, here's a perhaps-inappropriately named Valley Garter from Donner Summit today. I don't always harass every snake I see, but this sucker deserved a photo or three. Big!
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!