[pct-l] Rattlesnakes

[Robert W. Freed]

A rattler would rather avoid you than bite you if given a choice. They do not attack but rather defend them self's when surprised or stepped on. They can only strike half of their body length so just a five foot buffer is all that is needed even for the biggest rattlesnakes.

Keep your eyes moving scanning the trail ahead every few steps. Always pull large objects towards you rather than pushing. And if you happen pick up a box of clay targets and a snake slithers out, give it the time it needs to escape before you panic. :)
Not knowing your own limitations and/or poor decisions have killed more hikers than all other causes combined.
Robert
------------------------------------------------------------------Message: 7
Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2016 18:03:48 -0700
From: Reinhold Metzger <reinholdmetzger at cox.net>
To: PCT <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Subject: [pct-l] Rattlesnakes
Message-ID: <571583F4.3010604 at cox.net>
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Jeil000,
You hit the nail right on the head....I have been saying the exact thing for many years.

JMT Reinhold
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