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DrewLooking4U · 41-45, M
Rattle snake! Heard the rattle before seeing it while hiking alone years ago. I froze and watched it slither over my hiking boot and waited 5 minutes until it was out of sight before moving on. Won’t ever forget that experience. I was 6 miles deep in the woods and alone. It was a mature fully grown rattle snake. Every bit over 6 feet long. If it bit the venom would have killed me for sure. I’d never make it to my SUV and would die of cardiac arrest for sure as the poison attacks the nervous system.
Ynotisay · M
@DrewLooking4U They're a wake up call. That's for sure. But just to toss it out there, only about 1 in something like 500 rattlesnake bites result in death. Something like a third are "dry" bites, with no venom, and many others don't produce enough venom to kill. It's actually pretty rare to die. Comes down to how much venom a snake releases.
But in your case, you would have exasperated the issue being six miles out. If you get hit the more still you can be the better. You probably wouldn't have a had a choice but to move. While I've never been bit I know a couple of guys who have and they said the pain is off the charts. That would be a messed up six mile hike out. No doubt. You got lucky.
But in your case, you would have exasperated the issue being six miles out. If you get hit the more still you can be the better. You probably wouldn't have a had a choice but to move. While I've never been bit I know a couple of guys who have and they said the pain is off the charts. That would be a messed up six mile hike out. No doubt. You got lucky.
DrewLooking4U · 41-45, M
@Ynotisay I’ll always remember that experience. Yes I’ve heard of same statistics if dry bites, venom/ non venom, but when you are alone and in the thick of it, you don’t think of anything but “If this bites me I’m a dead man.”. I was very very lucky for sure 😁👍
Ynotisay · M
@DrewLooking4U I hear ya. I hike and long distance backpack so "What if" is always at the top of my mind. :)
I'm actually more cautious around snakes than I am bears. You can see bears and have a good idea of how they'll behave. Rattlesnakes are a little different. You need to be aware of where not to step. And even then they can behave randomly. It is good to know they can only strike from about half their body distance away. And they usually give a warning. But not always. That's where it gets tricky. You've got a good story out of it though. Sometimes that's the big payoff. Sure beats getting bit.
I'm actually more cautious around snakes than I am bears. You can see bears and have a good idea of how they'll behave. Rattlesnakes are a little different. You need to be aware of where not to step. And even then they can behave randomly. It is good to know they can only strike from about half their body distance away. And they usually give a warning. But not always. That's where it gets tricky. You've got a good story out of it though. Sometimes that's the big payoff. Sure beats getting bit.
DrewLooking4U · 41-45, M
@Ynotisay that’s awesome you hike and long distance backpack. I used to little while back but work hours have kept me from the trek. PM sometime and we exchange gear pics. I like my setup when I go out.