Sherri Posted April 30, 2007 Posted April 30, 2007 A little rattler was intent on getting up close and friendly with my toes while I belaying at Clamshell Cave this weekend. I caught his movement out of the corner of my eye, thankfully, but not before he was too darn close for comfort(about 18" away). And he didn't give up the chase even after I took a couple big, s-l-o-w steps out of his path. Finally distracted his fatal attraction to my feet by flicking the rope at him a couple times. Watch for them. They're baaaaack. Quote
selkirk Posted April 30, 2007 Posted April 30, 2007 hmmm, I've never seen them anywhere else in L-worth, but I've seen 2 or 3 in clamshell. Including a cute little guy who set up camp on a ledge in the wide crack to the far right Quote
tradclimbguy Posted April 30, 2007 Posted April 30, 2007 We ran into a huge guy laying on the trail to the Pearly Gates about this time last year. Looked like he'd just eaten a small dog or something too I usually run into them mostly around Tieton it seems. It almost seems like you could bring two 5 gallon buckets to stand in while belaying sometimes Quote
selkirk Posted April 30, 2007 Posted April 30, 2007 Yeah, Tieton is crawling with little buggers. Mrs. Selkirk reached to pick her pack and nearly grabbed a fat rattler instead. She tells me they're nothing like the Southern Idaho rattlers though Quote
EWolfe Posted April 30, 2007 Posted April 30, 2007 Hey, wait! How can snakes be "afoot"? Hmmm? I've also seen 'em around the footbridge past Castle Rock Quote
Dechristo Posted April 30, 2007 Posted April 30, 2007 Hey, wait! How can snakes be "afoot"? Hmmm? Quit making fun of their disabilities. Quote
Sherri Posted April 30, 2007 Author Posted April 30, 2007 True. They'd get stuck in the belay device. Quote
Sherri Posted April 30, 2007 Author Posted April 30, 2007 Hey, wait! How can snakes be "afoot"? Hmmm? I've also seen 'em around the footbridge past Castle Rock ...looking for feet, no doubt. Quote
fenderfour Posted April 30, 2007 Posted April 30, 2007 I saw one at the Special Spot (Near Clem's Hollar) a couple weeks ago. Saw plenty at Tieton. My partner also pissed on a scorpion at Royal Columns. I've never seen them out there. Quote
smithisheaven Posted April 30, 2007 Posted April 30, 2007 Pearly gates, snow creek wall, clems holler, trundle dome and everywhere else in the 'cicle and 'water rattlers can and will b found. Its not like this is new news. They are always here. Quote
EWolfe Posted April 30, 2007 Posted April 30, 2007 Nonetheless, I reserve the right to react excessively, thank you very much. Quote
Sherri Posted April 30, 2007 Author Posted April 30, 2007 (edited) Yes, that's a good point...but when you've climbed there for a couple of years without seeing one, it's easy to become complacent about the likelihood of encountering one. Honestly, I was watching more closely for ticks that day. Last thing I was expecting was to be chased by a rattler instead. That'll teach me. Edited May 1, 2007 by Sherri Quote
G-spotter Posted April 30, 2007 Posted April 30, 2007 you could feed your ticks to the rattler... a fed snake is a slow and happy snake! Quote
Alpinfox Posted April 30, 2007 Posted April 30, 2007 fed, slow, and happy snakes are aid. Taking the challenge and uncertainty out of climbing... you modern sporto wimps sicken me. Stay in the gym if you are 'fraid of a little reptile! Quote
smithisheaven Posted April 30, 2007 Posted April 30, 2007 You know every1 makes such a big deal about ticks all the time. Whats the big deal. There are insects everywhere and they are always buzzing about. What about black flies that take a big mfing bite outta u. Now that hurts. Ticks dont hurt they are just a minor annoyance. Plus the fun of tick checks wit your female partner{s} after. Quote
selkirk Posted April 30, 2007 Posted April 30, 2007 badger, badger, badger, badger.......Snakes! Quote
Sherri Posted May 1, 2007 Author Posted May 1, 2007 You know every1 makes such a big deal about ticks all the time. Whats the big deal. There are insects everywhere and they are always buzzing about. What about black flies that take a big mfing bite outta u. Now that hurts. Ticks dont hurt they are just a minor annoyance. Plus the fun of tick checks wit your female partner{s} after. My mom's health has been completely debilitated by Lyme's Disease, from a tick bite about 8 years ago...guess she missed out on the fun part. Quote
EWolfe Posted May 1, 2007 Posted May 1, 2007 Good point, Sherri. But the cases of Lyme's Disease in Washington are super-rare. I am sorry to hear about that, I can't imagine how much that would suck. Quote
ZimZam Posted May 1, 2007 Posted May 1, 2007 Has it not reached there yet, or are deer ticks rare? Quote
ScottP Posted May 1, 2007 Posted May 1, 2007 Good point, Sherri. But the cases of Lyme's Disease in Washington are super-rare. I am sorry to hear about that, I can't imagine how much that would suck. About 150 between 1987 and 1996. link Quote
EWolfe Posted May 1, 2007 Posted May 1, 2007 Nonetheless, I reserve the right to react excessively, thank you very much. Quote
Sherri Posted May 1, 2007 Author Posted May 1, 2007 Good point, Sherri. But the cases of Lyme's Disease in Washington are super-rare. I am sorry to hear about that, I can't imagine how much that would suck. Thanks, MisterE. Good to know that it's not as prevalent 'round these parts. I'm probably just extra wary of the possibility, seeing how profoundly it change a person's life. Hard to believe that a tiny little bug can do so much damage. Quote
JayB Posted May 1, 2007 Posted May 1, 2007 Incidence of Lyme Disease in the US, per 100,000 persons: Quote
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