Aksor
Unregistered User
(4/18/02 6:16:18 am)
They're baaaaaack!!!!

If y'all are going after "Castle Rock" on the Silver Comet Trail, be aware that I saw a 3' copperhead in the area of the cache. I came within 5 feet of stepping on it. From what I read about them, they're not aggressive and don't (usually) strike unless stepped on. Needless to say, I was a little more cautious after that and abandoned my search. Be careful out there!

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LoCache
Administrator
(4/18/02 8:46:59 am)
Re: They're baaaaaack!!!!

Guess I an mark that one off my "watch list" for a few months!

Geo

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Gossamyrrh
Magnificent Poster
(4/18/02 1:17:31 pm)
Re: They're baaaaaack!!!!

About two weeks ago, I was hiking along the Amicalola River Trail when I encountered two snakes enjoying the rites of spring. I tried to make enough noise to alert them to my presence, but they only pulled off to the side of the path instead of vacating the area altogether. I tried to wait them out so I could finish the trail, but after a few minutes one of the snakes dove at me. My first impulse was to smack him with my hiking pole (I didn't hurt him, but certainly got his attention).

I went home and looked him up on the internet...I encountered a Southern Black Racer....harmless, but neurotic as hell and will attack if cornered. He wasn't cornered, but the err..."interruption" added to his ire.

So if you encounter a long, slender black snake with white on his cheeks, get ready to jump, cos he can move like the dickens!

I have also added a snake bite kit to my cache pack.

I doubt this, and the poison ivy from Nacoochee's Revenge will stop me from hiking in shorts, though.

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AllenLacy
Registered Geocacher
(4/18/02 1:24:17 pm)
Re: They're baaaaaack!!!!

Just be glad you haven't run across a Hoop Snake. And LoCache if you want to avoid all chances of running across a snake, from early Spring to late Fall you need to stay out of the woods, including wooded areas of Urban parks, and stay off trails that go by the woods. We are going to miss you at the GGA Challenge.

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Aksor
Unregistered User
(4/18/02 1:34:09 pm)
They're baaaaack!!!

A snake bite kit has been on our list of things to purchase in Spring. I guess now is the time.
I doubt the incident will keep us from caching, but we will be extra careful from now on. I played
"blind man" on the trek out of the woods after that. Used my hiking stick and tap, tap, tap. Take
a step. Tap. Tap. Tap. Take a step...

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Gossamyrrh
Magnificent Poster
(4/18/02 4:15:32 pm)
Re: They're baaaaack!!!

Well, the Racers proved that I could jump like Michael Jordan...a Hoop Snake would prove that I could sprint like Carl Lewis.

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LoCache
Administrator
(4/18/02 4:38:49 pm)
Re: They're baaaaack!!!

Ahh, I hate snakes, but not enough to stop caching...HOWEVER, if I know for certain that their are COPPERHEADS in multiple numbers hanging out at a particular cache, it sure ain't gonna be on my hit list any time soon.

While I personally think the only good snake is a dead snake, I have already encountered one on the hunt while caching with Jess one day. It was Rock On! by Goatsauce....check out my posting to see how manly I was about my encounter. I am a warrior at heart as you will plainly see.

Geo

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the mtn man
and puppymonster
(4/18/02 5:20:26 pm)
Re: They're baaaaack!!!

Hmmm... was I suppose to take my snake bite kit out of my pack...

I have actually had mine with me even this winter.

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AllenLacy
Registered Geocacher
(4/18/02 6:37:24 pm)
Re: They're baaaaack!!!

I left mine in the pack as well as my bottle of DEET, and Sunscreen, easier than removing them. As for snake bite kits I highly recommend the Sawyer Extractor. I have heard of too many problems using old syle with the scalpel suction cup.

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Aksor
Unregistered User
(4/19/02 6:38:30 am)
They're baaaack!!!

After I discussed this incident with Raskol and I pulled her off the ceiling fan, I thought I'd post the senseless things I did that day that might have led to tragedy. 1) Went caching alone. 2) Did not tell anyone where I was going or when I'd be back. 3) Didn't have a cellphone. 4) Didn't have a snake bite kit. 5) Didn't watch my step. Anyone wishing to admonish me at the next GGA meeting, feel free to do so. I deserve it.

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thadd
Registered Geocacher
(4/19/02 3:26:22 pm)
Re: They're baaaack!!!

On the upside, copperheads are venomous, not deadly.

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simplespirit
Registered Geocacher
(4/20/02 8:38:15 am)
Re: They're baaaack!!!

The proportion of venomous snakes to non-venomous is fairly small and even then that proportion becomes almost minute when you are talking about deadly snakes. Usually if you know the type that bit you and you get treated for it within 2 hours you'll be fine. Most of the venomous snakes aren't deadly, they only make you sick enough to where you would probably wish you were dead. Same goes for spiders and scorpions. Always be ready for what you might encounter when you enter the wilderness.

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erik88l r
Administrator
(4/20/02 2:28:19 pm)
Re: They're baaaack!!!

I found about a 3' shiney black snake this morning. I looked it up when I got home and confirmed what I thought it was - as eastern black rat snake. It actually acted fairly friendly - didn't try to get away like snakes usually do and just turned his head and sniffed the air with his tongue when I gently touched him with my stick. I let him be and went on my way. Wish I'd brought my camera. ~erik~

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thadd
Registered Geocacher
(4/20/02 2:34:59 pm)
Re: They're baaaack!!!

Your right. I didn't mean that one should take a sack full of copperheads home for the kids to play with (as tempting as it maybe sometimes). I was just trying to point out that they do get lumped in with some much more dangerous snakes like eastern diamondbacks and water moccasins. You should leave all snakes that you come across alone and it becomes a non-issue. After all, what would you do if, while caching, some guy came out of nowhere and started poking you with a stick.

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robertlacy
Registered Geocacher
(4/20/02 7:42:47 pm)
Re: They're baaaack!!!

LoCache, here is a cache you need to goto now. Read the log for April 20. I bleave you will just love to do this cache.

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erik88l r
Administrator
(4/20/02 8:04:30 pm)
Re: They're baaaack!!!

Sounds like Indiana Jones in the pit scene! I guess the snakes have been hibernating and now the hot weather brought them out.

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LoCache
Administrator
(4/21/02 5:41:11 am)
Re: They're baaaack!!!

I say we nuke the whole area, just to be safe!

Geo

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the mtn man
and puppymonster
(4/21/02 10:52:40 pm)
Re: They're baaaaaack!!!!

Well, I now join the ranks of the group who has seen a snake this year. This one was on Little Kennesaw Mountain Sunday morning. The puppymonster and I were out for our usual weekend walk. We went up from Burnt Hickory road, up the steep rocky trail. Once at the top we stopped to get a drink of water and then continued to the cannons on Little Kennesaw. We went to the exposed rocks up there as it starts to go back down before going up to big Kennesaw. As we got there four girls passed by and they had stopped in the shade just before the cannons. We started walking back and I heard them saying "look at that!" We came around the corner and a snake was crossing the trail going back into the brush. It was a black snake with thin yellow rings going around it over the entire length of its body. It was about 3 feet long. I told them not to worry. I said that I could not remember what kind of snake it was, but felt that it was not poisonous.

Anyone remember what kind of snake that was? (I could not find a picture of it on the internet tonight!)

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Gossamyrrh
Magnificent Poster
(4/21/02 11:56:57 pm)
Re: They're baaaaaack!!!!

I know you can attach bells to yourself to warn bears of your approach...I wonder if the same would work for snakes.

Then again...I could be cruel and carry a can of mace....

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lmoseley
BigDog
(4/22/02 12:17:56 am)
ezSupporter

Re: They're baaaaaack!!!!

And, as they say, you can tell the bear poop in the woods because it has little bells in it and it smells like pepper spray.


--------------------------------
Resist authority!
Desist, authority!

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nasty george
Registered Geocacher
(4/22/02 7:34:52 pm)
Anyone remember what kind of snake that was? (I could not fi

Probably a king snake.
My training indicates that a cell phone is your best medicine if you are in range of 911. Under no circumstance should you attempt to make an incision. Many more people in the United States are killed by bees and ants and other insect bites due to allergic reactions to the bite than snake bite. Do you know of anyone dying of snakebite? I guess I know at least 500 professionals who make their living in the outdoors. I know of only one who was snake bitten. It was a cotton mouth but he recovered(the surveyor). I know of one dead from a wasp sting and several who had to be hospitilized from ant and yellowjacket stings.
Compare all these deaths with deaths due to smoking and automobile accidents and I think you will agree the woods are a much safer place than the highway.

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the mtn man
and puppymonster
(4/23/02 7:06:58 am)
Re: Anyone remember what kind of snake that was?

Thanks NG, I thought that was what it might be. I cannot wait until we get the "snake lady" back to one of our meetings!

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thadd
Registered Geocacher
(4/30/02 9:38:05 pm)
Re: They're baaaaaack!!!!

Fox5 just ran a story about an increased number of snakebites last year and said the DNR expected the trend to continue this year as our drought goes on. They also said there were 6 snake to worry about in ga, but I could only think of 5. I got coral snakes, copperheads, cottonmouths, timber rattlers, and eastern diamondbacks. Anybody know what number 6 might be?

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Da Rebel
Magnificent Poster
(4/30/02 10:11:01 pm)
Re: They're baaaaaack!!!!

That would be the Pygmy Rattlesnake.

More info:

web page

"If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything." - Mark Twain

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thadd
Registered Geocacher
(5/1/02 12:21:11 am)
Re: They're baaaaaack!!!!

Thanks for the link. I had always thought that pygmy and timber rattlesnakes were the same thing.