Last weekend while bolting a route at Muir we noticed a nest in one of the much needed jug holds. Thinking this was a bird's nest we decided to bolt the route since the birds are probably gone by now and they don't often reuse the old nests. We rappeled in, placed two top anchors and then proceeded to top-rope the route to decide where the bolt placements would go. The climb is a gorgeous orange streak with super cool climbing. However when I got to the spot with the nest I took a peek and decided to grab the hold in a way such that the nest would not be disturbed. Much to my surprise a critter leaped out just missing my face as it gracefully soared over to a nearby tree. Whoosh! Next another one jumped out at me and just missed my ear by an inch or two. I could feel and hear the rush of air as these two flying squirrels took flight. I tried to climb around the nest (without using this much needed jug hold) but it was very difficult without the key hold (maybe even two or three number grades harder). We couldn't decide what to do so we pulled the rope to give it some more thought.
It's a great looking climb, but I don't want to disturb the flying squirrel home. What if it really screws up my karma with nature? Or, perhaps these two crazy creatures could easily find a new cliff dwelling? I don't know. There are plenty of other routes, but this one looks really good. What to do!?! What to do?!? Oh yeah, and I stepped on a copperhead and didn't get bitten. Is it a sign?
Ethical Dilemma
Ethical Dilemma
"Those iron spikes you use have shortened the life expectancy of the Totem Pole by 50,000 years."
--A Navaho elder
--A Navaho elder
Re: Ethical Dilemma
Woah.J-Rock wrote: Oh yeah, and I stepped on a copperhead and didn't get bitten. Is it a sign?
A sign that you're saved no matter what you do to the flying squirrel nest?
In the summer we keep our boat in a covered dock on Lake Monroe at the Fourwinds Marina. Near the outer edge there's a U-channel horizontal metal frame at the top. Birds make nests in it and proceed to shit all over the boats below. I take a hose and power wash them into the lake, screaming baby birds and all.
My advice is to follow your conscience, Jared. If the worst thing you do to your karma is displace a couple squirrels, I'm sure you are destined to find Buddhahood in just a few more lifetimes.
ZSpider
My advice is to follow your conscience, Jared. If the worst thing you do to your karma is displace a couple squirrels, I'm sure you are destined to find Buddhahood in just a few more lifetimes.
ZSpider
-
longlegsrule
- Posts: 1799
- Joined: Sat Jan 25, 2003 7:21 pm
I don't know how common they are, but I've only seen a couple of flying squirrels in my life. There are so many new routes around - what about waiting a few weeks and checking again? I'm sure that as rodents, their home is a somewhat temporary winter quarter. In any case they have a nice winter home built in a safe place with plenty of mast to feed - it probably will be bad karma to disturb a creatures necessity for our recreation. Then again I was glad when somebody sprayed wasp and hornet spray on a best at the big jug on awol a few years ago. You just gotta go with your conscience and decide for yourself.
Last edited by KD on Mon Oct 18, 2004 2:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
longlegsrule
- Posts: 1799
- Joined: Sat Jan 25, 2003 7:21 pm
A friend of mine cleaned all the bats out of his attic with a shop-vac. Quite effective, he told me.
That said, I will cast a vote for leaving the squirrels alone. The one time I saw flying squirrels at the gorge, it was the coolest thing. I am told that Muir Valley has plenty of rock and the squirrels will eventually move on.
That said, I will cast a vote for leaving the squirrels alone. The one time I saw flying squirrels at the gorge, it was the coolest thing. I am told that Muir Valley has plenty of rock and the squirrels will eventually move on.
No chalkbag since 1995.
Re: Ethical Dilemma
Only if it told you so in Parseltongue.J-Rock wrote:I stepped on a copperhead and didn't get bitten. Is it a sign?
"I snatched defeat from the jaws of victory." --Paul
---
(Emails > PMs)
---
(Emails > PMs)
-
squeezindlemmon
- Posts: 1452
- Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2004 7:02 pm
Jared calls on me to get rid of spiders in the apartment. He's too scared to touch them and risk squishing the tiny things. I end up with the task of delicately catching them and letting them go outside. I already know he's not going to touch that nest. I think this post is actually a plea to someone/anyone out there to do the dirty deed for him. 
He's too scared that he'll end up a homeless flying squirrel in his next life.
He's too scared that he'll end up a homeless flying squirrel in his next life.
Now, Z, that's just way too evil! Screaming baby birds and all?!Zspider wrote:I take a hose and power wash them into the lake, screaming baby birds and all.
Emancipate yourself from mental slavery. None but ourselves can free our mind. ~Bob Marley
-
keith_b00ne
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2004 5:19 pm
FYI - Flying squirrels are currently on the endangered species list. We caught a baby one once and called the local vet to see how to take care it. Within the hour 2 park rangers were at our door threatening fines. Carefull messing with their habitat. Could cause problems for climbers in the future.