Snake 05

Post by **ynot** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:23 pm

A garter snake fell out of a tree about 4 feet from us on Saturday. that's the second time I have had that happen at the Red.

Post by **J-Rock** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:39 pm

Ynot, I've seen garter snakes in the tree limbs 3 times at Muir Valley. Kind of weird. I've never seen any other snakes in the trees before. I saw a copperhead at New River climb a vertical rock wall once. That was pretty cool.

Post by **charlie** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:41 pm

J-Rock wrote:..I've never seen any other snakes in the trees before.

Black snakes (aka black racers) climb trees pretty well, and often. I've seen big ones, like 6 feet long, climbing trees in the red on 2 occasions. Pretty cool thing to see, but those snakes are kinda ornery.

Post by **diggum** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 12:15 am

this is the last time i check this thread...y'all are just trying to FREAK me OUT now. aren'tcha?

i can't think about snakes falling from the sky. they've crossed the line now. it's on.

Post by **busty** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 12:20 am

Diggum, I agree. Now I have to somehow look above me and down the ground at the same time.

Post by **Wes** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 12:21 am

diggum, Would you like stories of snakes actually on routes? Ask Meadows about her up close and personal wildlife experence. I have climbed past several snakes over the years, including a copperhead or two.

Wes

Post by **busty** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 12:23 am

I wonder whether I would have a heart attack or a stroke or both if I came across a snake on a route. I might also have one of those white streaks running through my hair like Frankenstein's bride.

Post by **diggum** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 12:26 am

busty wrote:I wonder whether I would have a heart attack or a stroke or both if I came across a snake on a route. I might also have one of those white streaks running through my hair like Frankenstein's bride.

ok i lied...i can't stay away. what if someone actually posts how to keep the varments away from me?? i'd miss it!

God forbid I have a lot of slack out if I run into one on a route.

Post by **busty** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 12:33 am

Maybe if you whack a couple of sticks together like the original Parent Trap....no, that was bears, nevermind.

Post by **J-Rock** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 1:25 am

Those Racers are impressive! The two biggest snakes that I have ever seen in the wild were both Racers at Muir Valley. They were as thick as my arm and must have been at least 8 feet long. One immediately fled when I was still 30 or 40 feet away. I cautiously approached the other one with the camera and took a few photos from a distance. The big guy didn't let me get very close. Within about 20 feet the other one took off through the brush. I could see the undergrowth moving as he raced away. Never before had I seen a snake move so quickly. It was unbelievable and I stood there for a moment admiring the speed of those incredibly quick snakes.