OT - hiking on the Appalachian trail

[rjohns94]

was out this weekend on the trail, hiked from pine furnace grove to boiling springs, about 19.8 miles. Covered 7 peaks over that distance. Now these aren't like rocky mountain peaks but its the best us flatlanders here on the right coast have. Was a great hike and what made even more so was seeing a timber ratler. it was just off the trail, and jumped back and coiled and commenced making all sorts of noise as I walked by. Got a picture of it from about 6 feet away. Nice healthy, thick snake with beautiful coloring. I have to say, this is the first rattle snake I have seen in PA. Saw lots of them in CA when I lived there but this one was the largest I have seen in the wild. was very kewl. I will post the poor pic later. had to wonder about those who walk with their dogs on this trail, and saw one father with a baby on his back.

[kimwcook]

Good for you Mike. It's been years since I've been out on a longer walkabout. We've got good sized timber rattlers here too. Green as green gets and as thick as your forearms.

[Pitchy]

Whoa, think i`ll keep my deer flies.

[jeepnik]

My BIL did the trail a couple of years before his heart transplant. He's planning the Pacific Crest next year. Some folks just can't be stopped.

[Ysabel Kid]

He'd make a nice hat-band!

[Pisgah]

Ever since our ex-Governor gave his famous cover story for going to Argentina to be with his girlfriend, "hiking on the Appalachian Trail" has taken on a whole new meaning here in SC!

[mav]

Sounds like a great time. I've never seen a rattler in the woods in PA. I know a couple of guys who hunt them regularly. It seems like they are more common in certain areas and less in others. Funny, I have fished a number of streams that the locals avoid in summer and still haven't seen one. I guess I don't have the eye for them.

[madman4570]

Mike, watch it on them trails.Problem is many people that get bit within 15 mins are unable to walk and start having severe chest pains and breathing problems.
In 2007 we caught a 57" yellow Timber Rattler up here.(Actually though their venom isn't the most potent of vipers in NA(they inject the most)
I always carry a Sawyer Venom extractor(just the plunger/largest cup)dont carry whole kit.
Not real good for getting struck in the large muscle areas but on ankles/hands/feet etc.might save your life.

[rjohns94]

Madman, until that day, I had not seen a rattler in Pa and didn't bother carrying a snake bite kit. I will definately take your suggestion. My thought that day was wondering what if, and how far would I get if I had to do some exerting effort on hiking out. Just before I saw that one, had topped out one peak that had bolders and huge rocks all over it and I was thinking about snakes at that time. wasnt three miles later when I saw this guy. thanks for the heads up.

[RIHMFIRE]

pretty common down this way.....
but we see a heck of a lot more pigmy rattlers than diamond backs...
Water mocasins are the most common and very aggressive if it gets threatened....
and the last few years at the hunt club we have seen a bunch of copperheads......
and I have only seen a few coral snakes
they are worst of the bunch when it comes to the poison....
but they really have to chew on ya unless hes big one...
Biggest rattler so far 64"......

I was out very early in the morning, well before daylight...
getting ready to set up my climbing treestand on the edge of this swamp.....
and I heard that sound no one ever wants to hear in the pitch dark....
stood still for a while,... shinny my flashlight all around me......
could not find him....so up the tree I went....
That sucker rattled till I stopped climbing...
and was gone when the hunt was over....thankfully....

they can strike about 1/2 to 2/3s their body length.....so be careful
I have encounter a couple when its pretty cold out....and they were very slow moving...
and did not coil up....just lied there...waiting for it to warm up in the sun....

[jerry b]

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[Tumbleweeds II]

I hiked the entire width of the AT last fall. Beautiful place.

[rjohns94]

Yep, I'm aware there are higher peaks than in south central PA on the AT. I have the maps for the entire 2100+ miles. Just working on doing some section hiking close to home. Will eventually hike it on a through hike along with the PCT, God willing.

[jeepnik]

I hate to burst any bubbles, but for the most part, venom extractors and such are pretty useless. And, of course, you really can't carry anti-venom unless you know what type of snake will bite you, and they likely need special storage anyway.

On the plus side, they do, at least for pacific diamondbacks, have a "vaccine" for your dog. It doesn't remove the need for treatment, but prolongs the window, and does lessen the damage somewhat.

It's amazing, but all this went thru my mind in the nano second it took to draw and fire (never knew I was that fast), not to mention wishing I was a vaccinated dog.

[Paladin]

Some Rattlers I have found in the last two years, both still out there some where. The Timber Rattler about 90 miles from the trail.