They Don't Always Rattle

[rmitchell]

Tuesday I was on a day hike in GSMNP, doing a loop up Lead Cove, to Bote Mountain and back out via Finley Cane trails. I encountered this guy on Bote Mountain.

He was going in the direction opposite me and moving uphill slowly. I froze but he kept moving toward me. First I pitched a small rock in his direction but got no response. Then another and finally a golf ball size rock that landed about four inches from his head. He continued to move up the trail. Never did he coil or rattle.
Edit: Added video link.
Fortunately the trail is very wide here so I moved around him and we each went on our way.131.jpghttps://youtu.be/Nmgw_pY5hGg