[pct-l] Rattlesnakes on the PCT

[Matthew Edwards]

Sure, I saw plenty of rattlesnakes on the PCT last year. Mostly in the first 400 miles. Every time except once I had ample warning from the snake. That one time was climbing Jenkins peak. The air had turned cooler as a gentle rain began to fall. I was distracted by the mesmerizing weather amid what to me seemed like Desert enviroment. I stepped right next to a slumbering juvenile rattler. I jumped back before it reacted. It was in the middle of the trail so I relocated it with my trekking pole due to a train of hikers I knew were no more than 1 hr behind me. As the tip of my trekking pole touched it's body the snake instantly struck the pole basket three times in rapis succesion!
Anyhow I relocated the snake down slope a bit and then did something we all began early in the hike.
 I made a squiggly line in the trail dust for 10 feet in front and after the point I found the snake.
In my "tribe" it was our way of signaling a snake was nearby.
Definitely not LNT so go ahead and rip me for the suggestion if you like.
Other than that one encounter I really never worried to much about rattlers either on trail or cowboy camping at night.. Neither did anyone I met.
Just use common sense and try to stay alert especially during the warming times of the day and evenings.
Beautiful Animals!
-Iceaxe

HikeStrong2010.com Benefits Cancer Research
Sent on the go from my Peek