Rattlesnakes in holds?

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Messages 1 - 13 of total 13 in this topic
quartzmonzonite

climber
Topic Author's Original Post - Aug 25, 2015 - 12:05pm PT
I have only been climbing for 5 years but I've encountered probably 15 to 25 rattlers out climbing, a few in san diego, near tahoe, 1 in jtree, and lots in and near idyllwild. I nearly stepped on one in san diego, and managed to step on one near tahoe, probably only 4 or 5 of the rattlers i saw accually rattled which scares me, but my real question is : how many accounts of bits have occurred on a route, or how often are they encountered on a route? I've been doing remote fa's lately and fear that i'll reach deep into a crack and grab a rattler, get bit and fall on a runout. I've seen a rattler on 'who dunnit' on tahquitz maybe 500ft up, i've put my fingers in a crack on a boulder and realized later there were 2 baby rattlers an inch away from my fingers and i've heard of someone getting bit topping out a boulder at woodson. Someone please give me peace at mind that i wont get bit when i go to do fa's in the rattlesnake infested part of the southern Sierra.
Spiny Norman

Social climber
Boring, Oregon
Aug 25, 2015 - 12:07pm PT
YER GONNA DIE!!!!
Alexey

climber
San Jose, CA
Aug 25, 2015 - 12:21pm PT
be safe, try to avoid runouts if rattlesnakes in the cracks. Single blue camelot is not enough in those cases
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Aug 25, 2015 - 12:22pm PT
It doesn't matter to Mr Rattletail if you're on an FA or 40thA. A buddy
slapped a ledge on the Cookie and got sent packing, er, flying, as in 50'.
Then it took hours to get to Modesto. His hand was never good for anything
afterwards other than shooting pool. YMMV
chalkfree

Trad climber
Claremont, CA
Aug 25, 2015 - 12:39pm PT
Sounds like you get out a bunch, so be cautious and be on the lookout as I'm sure you are. They don't want to bite you; they want to save their venom to kill rodent food.

I've been going to Tahquitz and Suicide rocks for 35+ years and have only seen 2 rattlers, one at start of Tahquitz trail, and another at Suicide at base of Flower.

Safe climbing!
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Aug 25, 2015 - 01:04pm PT
I've been going to Tahquitz and Suicide rocks for 35+ years and have only seen 2 rattlers

Rest assured, a lot more of them have 'seen' you. Vote early and often,
as we say in Chicago, for the Mountain King Snake Party! ;-)
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Aug 25, 2015 - 01:08pm PT
I've seen a lot of 'em in the great outdoors, but never stuck my hand into one on a route. Pretty small danger in the big scheme of things.

Now sticking your flipper in a cactus while climbing in New Mexico? That's a different story.....
apogee

climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
Aug 25, 2015 - 01:12pm PT
" I've seen a rattler on 'who dunnit' on tahquitz maybe 500ft up,"

Seriously? 500 feet up? You sure it was a rattler?

Ward Trotter

Trad climber
Aug 25, 2015 - 01:53pm PT
I would guess the drought has seriously affected rattlesnake populations due to stress all along their food chain. However, those that are still active are very hungry and must range further and more often to obtain prey. The hunger probably makes them more on edge and more likely to strike if surprised.



pyro

Big Wall climber
Calabasas
Aug 25, 2015 - 01:55pm PT
At stoney point I put this fake rattler inside a pocket at the back wall.. totally funny prank everybody fell for it..


This video shows a rattler at8:40...
[Click to View YouTube Video]
skcreidc

Social climber
SD, CA
Aug 25, 2015 - 01:57pm PT
Bats in crack are probably looking mighty tasty about now.
Ward Trotter

Trad climber
Aug 25, 2015 - 02:00pm PT
fake rattler

That looks like a king snake ( top photo) They actually eat rattlesnakes. That one looks very young.
skcreidc

Social climber
SD, CA
Aug 25, 2015 - 02:05pm PT
Apogee, looks pretty similar to one to me.

Messages 1 - 13 of total 13 in this topic
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