stevetimetravlr Posted June 23, 2010 Posted June 23, 2010 I was leading a climb today out east. I was almost to the anchors, and all of a sudden a rattlesnake dives by me to a small bush. It literally dove off a little ledge by the anchors and went past my head on the left. Then it sat there and stared me down. I threaded the anchors with shaking hands and then slowly lowered, there was a draw about 4 feet in front of it and i was determined not to loose the draw, so I stared back at the snake down and talked to it in a calming manner and got my draws back. The guy I was climbing with, Tim Wilson, he was determined to do the climb and got up under where the snake was and said "That is a really big snake, holy shit." he lowered from there, spooky. Be careful out there of flying snakes. Quote
justinp Posted June 23, 2010 Posted June 23, 2010 Is this like snipe hunting Where were ya Steve? Quote
stevetimetravlr Posted June 23, 2010 Author Posted June 23, 2010 Not like snipe hunting at all, the snake was really there. If I told you where I was, I'd have to have the snake kill ya...but GAKK, it was scary! Quote
billcoe Posted June 23, 2010 Posted June 23, 2010 If the rattlesnakes have fledged and are starting to fly, it's time to open the cliff. Â I've only been rattled at once, on lead, and it still is a strong memory 33 years later. Quote
area51 Posted June 23, 2010 Posted June 23, 2010 you are not the first to see flying snakes out there! A well know smith rock climber had TWO fliers in one day! Â helmet for the choss, forearm chaps for the snakes - yikes! Quote
billcoe Posted June 23, 2010 Posted June 23, 2010 Holy crap Paul! It's a flying Rattlesnake epidemic. Who knew that this kind of crazy animal behavior even existed? That's so scary. One moment you're moving on stone being at one with the universe and the next moment you could have a serpent come flying out of nowhere all kung-fu like and it's wrapped around your arm and you're looking at each other going WTF?. Â Route name potential though: Rattlesnake Jam. Quote
area51 Posted June 23, 2010 Posted June 23, 2010 (edited) We do have a route over at wankers called rattlesnake, as I was rattled off of it. My belayer thought I was having an epileptic attack as I was shaking and downclimbing feverishly and erratically! Â Although the worst encounter was getting rattled at on the trail at the base of sinks in WY, and back-pedaling and tripping and nearly falling off the approach ledge.... Edited June 23, 2010 by area51 Quote
justinp Posted June 23, 2010 Posted June 23, 2010 Is this like snipe hunting Where were ya Steve? Â Not like snipe hunting at all, the snake was really there. If I told you where I was, I'd have to have the snake kill ya...but GAKK, it was scary! Â Hey aint sayin Quote
LostCamKenny Posted June 23, 2010 Posted June 23, 2010 Is this like snipe hunting Where were ya Steve?  Not like snipe hunting at all, the snake was really there. If I told you where I was, I'd have to have the snake kill ya...but GAKK, it was scary!  Hey aint sayin  *a-hem* duh, PM...! Quote
stevetimetravlr Posted June 23, 2010 Author Posted June 23, 2010 The location was on a Jim Anglin route, if that helps any. Maybe the snake was the ghost of Jim telling me not to grab the draw. I didn't, really I didn't!! Ok, I did grab it on the 11b, but only for the clip just for a second.....waaaaaa, I am so busted..... Quote
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