View Full Version : Bears..check, ticks..check, next is snakes
OK WhiteBlazers I know that I am only planning a short hike of 50 miles next April but collectively you have put my mind to rest about various things, not least of which :
1. Bears - don't act like a numbnuts unless Bruin shows an interest in you then shout, yell, dance, wave your arms for all your worth (maybe a little morris dancing will scare the b*gger off).
2. Ticks/Lyme Disease - the American Lyme Disease Foundation reckon that Virginia is virtually No Risk (cool :banana )
(Though it has to be said that L.Wolf's comment about bee stings on the 'nads when in the privy has given me pause for thought :-? )
Now - while my concerns on these topics has been eased with the advise extracted from the pages of WB the one thing that I have left is snakes.
In the UK we have the grass snake which does no more that create a stink if you can ever see one & one poisonous snake (adder) which you see as often as a trustworthy politician.
So WB'ers, what advise can you give me about snakes apart from the obvious stuff like watch where you put your feet on the trail, don't go bimbling through the undergrowth and expect to get away with it etc
Thanks.
dessertrat
12-24-2007, 12:34
It's very low risk. Be careful when you put your hands or feet somewhere you can't see.
_terrapin_
12-24-2007, 12:38
Not a problem, really... though it might be wise to pay attention in rock piles and rock dens on warm or sunny days.
Thanks desertrat - those first four words are what I was hoping for
I have seen clips on YouTube where guys (read: idiots) are going close to rattlesnakes to get a better picture etc - take a picture from a distance and crop it when you get back home sounds like a plan to me
Read Getting over the fear of rattlesnakes?!? (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=17618).
See also my post PA's rattlesnakes: species of concern (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showpost.php?p=444144&postcount=59). There are a number of good posts in the 2nd thread. You can open it by clicking on the thread title in the upper right corner. Pay particular attention to posts by MOWGLI16.
john gault
12-24-2007, 12:41
That's complete BS about Virginia; I got lyme disease in Virginia, check yourself frequently. Your saving grace (probably) is you'll be there in April, I got bit in May. We still have a lot to learn about Lyme disease.
This is the deal on Rattlesnakes. They are posinous, but not really that bad of a poison. I laugh when people tell you to "watch your step", you simply can't watch your every step, everyone gets into that daze when hiking or looks at the scenery while hiking (not just standing and looking). No one watches their EVERY step, not even 25% of their steps.
I once came within inches of stepping on a Rattler in Virginia, never saw it and it was right off the trail (which in this section was about 12" wide dirt with green grass on either side, he was in the grass not 3" from the trail). I didn't see him until I had passed him and then he started rattling, I guess I woke him from that "sleep" they go into while sunning. Like I said, at least the poison is not that bad.
SoG: happy to work my way through previous threads if this has been covered before
JG: thanks for the BS Alert. Despite the ALDF info I was planning on going cautiously anyway but your warning is heeded.
Sorry if these seems 'fundamental' questions but I would rather people think that I was being over cautious than have to rely on someone to bail be out because I couldn't be bothered to seek advise and listen to it.
thanks
dessertrat
12-24-2007, 12:54
Thanks desertrat - those first four words are what I was hoping for
I have seen clips on YouTube where guys (read: idiots) are going close to rattlesnakes to get a better picture etc - take a picture from a distance and crop it when you get back home sounds like a plan to me
Also, if it makes you feel better (and peace of mind is everything, really), you can wear boots that go over your ankles (if you don't already), which will lessen the chance of a bite penetrating. It's very unlikely to be bitten, and if bitten, it's unlikely for the bite to be seriously poisonous, but as a precaution, you should still seek help right away, and remain calm.
A device called a sawyer extractor is sold for use after pit viper bites. The utility of it is debated quite a bit, but again, as a peace of mind thing, it might be worth looking into. (I don't carry one).
_terrapin_
12-24-2007, 12:56
I laugh when people tell you to "watch your step", you simply can't watch your every step, everyone gets into that daze when hiking or looks at the scenery while hiking (not just standing and looking). No one watches their EVERY step, not even 25% of their steps.
Nevertheless, it's important to understand the favored habitats of the critters you might encounter. Snakes, being cold blooded, like to hang out on warm rocks... hidden from their intended prey. (Their intended prey being tiny critters, not humans, of course.) If it's really hot, they'll be in the cool shade in the crevices.
The only rattler I've actually seen on the AT was on Peters Mtn. in PA. I had another encounter like yours in the Smokies, where I heard the snake's rattle, but didn't see it. The woman who was hiking a few steps behind me got a good look at it, and was obviously startled.
I have received the advise that I was looking for - so thank you all for coming back so quickly to help.
The linked thread really gives all the advice (& more) that I could wish for so if someone want to lock-off this thread then no complaints from me.
I always check for spiders before sitting down inside.
I always check for sunning insects/biting stuff before sitting down outside.
bigcranky
12-24-2007, 14:51
I got Lyme disease in Virginia, too.
Snakes aren't a problem unless you get drunk and try to pick them up. (Redneck's last words: "Hold my beer and watch this!!")
Redneck's last words: "Hold my beer and watch this!!")
Someone told be that was a cue to run and hide behind a big rock :D
Almost There
12-24-2007, 15:13
Saw one heading up Priest Mtn in 2006. Was walking up the trail and saw a chipmunk chittering at something off to the side of the trail. As I came up the chipmunk looked at me and ran off the opposite direction. When I got to where he had been I looked to the side and sure enough there was a 3ft rattler completely stretched out with head up but remaining completely still. Told the girl I was with to go around me and then snapped a couple pics, he was in high grass and none of the pics came out really well. Guess the camo works pretty well!
Anyways, I just keep an eye out ahead of me when I see big sun spots on the trail in the forest. I have seen a copperhead, but he skedaddled off the trail before I got up to him. Just be aware of sunny spots on the trail in the forest and when you are out amongst sundrenched exposed rockfaces, etc.
Frolicking Dinosaurs
12-24-2007, 15:21
Since it appears Jack T is away for Christmas... And I sat on a rattlesnake one horrible July day. In central Pennsylvania, the prudent hiker looks around before sitting on a rock. (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=465679#post465679)
canerunner
12-24-2007, 15:28
Thanks desertrat - those first four words are what I was hoping for
I have seen clips on YouTube where guys (read: idiots) are going close to rattlesnakes to get a better picture etc - take a picture from a distance and crop it when you get back home sounds like a plan to me
Sounds like a really good reason to have a good zoom lens!:D
Appalachian Tater
12-30-2007, 22:06
I wouldn't worry about bears, it's rare to see one and if you do, you'll consider yourself fortunate. Hope you'll have time to grab your camera.
Lyme Disease is a serious problem. Worry about that the most, even in Virginia, despite the CDC map. Notice that the highest risk area extends almost to Virginia and that the map is almost four years old. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/lyme/riskmap.htm
The most common poisonous snakes you need to worry about rattle. Don't mess with them at all. Cottonmouth bites can be serious but I haven't heard about them on the A.T. http://www.trailquest.net/SNpoi.html
Nearly Normal
12-31-2007, 10:52
Back when priveys were common, black widow spiders posed a real threat.
Painted Turtle
12-31-2007, 11:35
As you probably see by now everyone has had a different experience.
I for one have done the "AT" from ME to Southern PA (plus MD) and have never seen a Rattler. Came close many times according to hikers going the other way and notes posted on tree branches (rattler ten feet ahead).
Not the same story with Black Bears. I have had a lot of run ins with them. In fact I have seen a Black Bear in every state (9) I have done. Every time the bear as soon as he/she saw me headed the other way in a very big hurry.
I have had only one bad experience I got Lyme in PA. Found the tick right away got to doctors he put me on meds and sent the tick out. He said if it comes back neg then you can stop taking the meds. If it comes back Pos then you got a head start. Well it came back pos. Finished meds went back a month after finishing the meds was tested and found negative. Very important to stay on top of it.
A friend of mine got bite by a reclus. Not pretty!
North of NY you have next to no chance of seening a Rattler.
When I was at Baxter (2002) they were having Black Bear problems at Katahdin Stream Camp ground stealing food. Saw 4 bears there in a two hour time spand.
Rattlers are protected not to be harrassed in any way!!!!!!
Did I miss?? It what part of the trail you doing?
CoyoteWhips
12-31-2007, 12:19
I think probably the worst would be bears flinging rattlesnakes covered with ticks.
saimyoji
01-01-2008, 21:02
No one watches their EVERY step, not even 25% of their steps.
If you don't watch every step on some stretches in PA I'd say rattlers would be second on your list of dangerous objects on the trail. Of course, there may be rattlers in between those rocks.
Good luck. :cool:
If you don't watch every step on some stretches in PA I'd say rattlers would be second on your list of dangerous objects on the trail. Of course, there may be rattlers in between those rocks.
Or on the other side of that log you're about to step over, where you're putting your hand that you didn't look, etc. I don't put my feet, hands, backside or anything else where I haven't first looked.
saimyoji
01-01-2008, 21:38
Had a buddy reach up onto a ledge going up Lehigh Gap. Got bit by something. Over the course of a hike he went from electric sensations to extreme pain to numbness. Had no way to call or obtain assistance until the end of his hike. Later we figured it was a blue recluse, not a rattler. All the same, I look first, move second.