[pct-l] snakes

[Jim & Jane Moody]

Shroomer posted a great story a couple of years ago about encountering a stubborn, large buzzworm on a run in the hills.  A cyclist came by with a water pistol and sprayed the snake, causing it move away rapidly.  



So, always a carry a fully-loaded water pistol in snake country.  No "carry permit" required. 

Mango 



----- Original Message -----


From: "David Thibault" <dthibaul07 at gmail.com> 
To: pct-l at backcountry.net 
Sent: Monday, April 9, 2012 11:21:51 PM 
Subject: Re: [pct-l] snakes 

Generally throwing stones at a snake doesn't work very well.  I suspect 
they don't really understand where the threat is coming from so they just 
stay where they are.  If they move they might actually go toward the threat 
-- so their best option is to stay where they are. 


The best way I've found to get a snake to move from the trail is to use a 
big brushy stick with lots of leaves (or needles).  The snake will always 
head the other way.  Of course there are some spots on the PCT where your 
chances of finding a big brushy stick is much less then your chance of 
finding a stubborn snake. 

A hiking pole will also work but you tend to get a bit closer 
(uncomfortably closer for most folks) to the snake than using the branch 
method. 

Day-Late (the mover of many a snake)