Careful, Lots of snakes!

[safetybreak]

I usually see a snake or two at FATS from time to time, but my last trip was different.

I saw six snakes on a Deep Step>Big Rock>Tower>Big Rock>Deep Step loop that I made on Tuesday June 16th. 4 on Deep Step and 2 on tower. I was there from 11-2 or so and made an extra Deep Step loop that I did not see any snakes on. Most were sunning themselves trailside and were Black Rat snakes, although a couple took off before i could identify them.

In addition to those snakes, I saw a copperhead in the trail head parking lot. This is the one that had me worried. It was moving from the trash cans to the woods directly at the trail head. I almost ran over it, and then circled back to confirm. Most definitely was a copperhead, and it was between 18-24 inches.

Every snake I encountered was non aggressive, but I wouldn't get off my bike and go for a walk in the woods for awhile.

[seenvic]

Damn, and I was picking blackberries down by the river over off the road I live on.

I was looking for snakes, believe me!

Saw no snakes, but did a get a tick on me. Bastid!

[imnav8r]

YIKES!!

[txr]

OK well I am no doctor or medic but isnt this a great reason to have a snake bike kit in that first aid bag from another post? :-)

Tom

[imnav8r]

When I took First Aid training Tom, I was informed that the best thing to do for a snake bite victim is to call 911, try to keep the victim calm, and get them to a hospital as soon as possible. Try to assure the victim that most snake bites are non-poisonous and that proper medical attention can provide effective treatment.

Remove rings, bracelets, and/or watches near the wound to prevent constriction if/when swelling occurs.

If possible, transport the victim to a hospital or wait for an ambulance. The important thing in the case of a venomous snake bite is for the victim to remain calm and get anti-venom as soon as possible. It's a good idea for you to remain calm too!

The old fashioned snake bite kits where you take a knife and cut an "X" across the bite area to suck out the venom have proven to be mostly ineffectual. Cool for movies & TV, not so much in real world applications.

However, if you are a long way out in the boonies and it's going to be awhile before medical help arrives, use of the snake bite kit won't necessarily hurt, but neither will it necessarily help. Do not try to suck the venom out by mouth. Do not cut the wound with a knife or razor. Do not apply cold compresses to the wound.

Used to be folks would tie a rope, cord, or belt above and below the wound in an effort to try to slow blood flow and hence venom flow in the bloodstream, but again, the best thing to do is notify 911 asap and keep the victim calm until help arrives to transport the victim to the hospital.

If there are signs of shock, lay the person flat on the ground, elevate the feet slightly, and cover with a blanket to keep the person warm. Do not elevate the wound above the heart.

One of the best things we all can do as trail riders is to take a CPR/First Aid certification course so we are better able to assist those who may encounter such an injury.

Charlie Mock can talk more knowledgeably on this as he is an EMT and our CPR/First Aid Instructor and from whom I learned this information.

If you come upon a snake, leave it alone. Even though it is tempting to do your best Crocodile Hunter impersonation, it's best to just leave them alone and try to avoid a confrontation.

Be safe!
JL

[scmtbiker]

There goes my weekend ride. I do not like copperheads...nor rattlers.

[Mark Y]

Much ado over very little. John offers sound advice on managing snakebites, but venomous bites are very rare and are usually the result of some dumass trying to handle/provoke a venomous snake. There isn't a a snake indigenous to the United States that won't get out of your way given the opportunity. Agressiveness under any circumstances other than defending themselves is a wive's tale.

[scmtbiker]

I have never ridden FATS and was thinking of maybe heading that way if I do not go ride the coiurse for the Dirty Spokes 12 hour at Tribble Mill course.

[brianW]

I have seen many snakes at FATS and other local trails. All but one were nonpoisonous. I did see, last summer, a 5' rattle snake sun bathing on Brown Wave. I watched it for about 10 minutes. Very nice looking snake. since it was not moving I decided the best thing was just turn around.

This was the first and only time in my hiking/skiing/mt biking history I ever turned around because of an animal. I have encountered bear, moose, coyote, fisher on the trail and never was worried about my safety.

[safetybreak]

Jun 18, 2009 22:53:56 GMT -5 Mark Y said:

Much ado over very little. John offers sound advice on managing snakebites, but venomous bites are very rare and are usually the result of some dumass trying to handle/provoke a venomous snake. There isn't a a snake indigenous to the United States that won't get out of your way given the opportunity. Agressiveness under any circumstances other than defending themselves is a wive's tale.

You are spot on. I only intended to heighten the new riders awareness. I would be rich if I had a dollar for every snake I have seen biking, hiking, and paddling in the last 15 years.

There are quite a few poisonous snakes in the low country, and still very few bites. SC has a thriving population of copperheads and cottonmouths. In addition to those pit vipers, there are three rattlesnakes and the coral snake that are indigenous to SC. The rattlesnakes are the eastern diamondback, the pygmy, and the timber rattler. There is a chance that all three could be in the FATS area, but more than likely just the DB and the pygmy.

If you have never seen a snake on a mtb trail, then you just weren't looking. I would not heed this advice as a warning, but more of a reminder to watch where you step.

[DK]

I saw this little feller on LCHT the other day. He was just about to cross the trail as I passed him, so I stopped to snap a few pics of him.



He wasn't aggressive in any way, or frightened either, but when I approached for a few closer shots, I heard a rattling sound. The little bugger was shaking his tail in the grass and leaves like he was imitating a rattler! LOL!

[DK]

Jun 18, 2009 18:35:13 GMT -5 imnav8r said:

If you come upon a snake, leave it alone. Even though it is tempting to do your best Crocodile Hunter impersonation, it's best to just leave them alone and try to avoid a confrontation.

Be safe!
JL

Guess I shoulda read this before snapping those pics huh? ;D

Of course I did use the zoom feature on my camera.

[DK]

Jun 19, 2009 7:16:20 GMT -5 brianW said:

I have seen many snakes at FATS and other local trails. All but one were nonpoisonous. I did see, last summer, a 5' rattle snake sun bathing on Brown Wave. I watched it for about 10 minutes. Very nice looking snake. since it was not moving I decided the best thing was just turn around.

This was the first and only time in my hiking/skiing/mt biking history I ever turned around because of an animal. I have encountered bear, moose, coyote, fisher on the trail and never was worried about my safety.

I've encountered one snake while walking that made me adjust my course. Same situation, he was sunning himself in the path. It was a copperhead, and I almost stepped on him. Was within six inches of it. He wasn't bothering anyone, and seemed oblivious to me, so I retreated and walked well around him. Hey, he was there first, and I didn't want to piss him off!

Also had an encounter with a mama bear and her cubs once that made me turn around and retreat. Mama popped out on the trail in front of me and started tu run in front of me. I had to nail the brakes to keep from hitting her in the . Then I noticed her cubs climbing the tree next to me, so I figured that I should be the one to retreat as she would want to turn around for her babies. I went about 1/4 mile back the way I had come and waited for a bit to let her collect the babies and move on. No sign of her the rest of the ride.

[imnav8r]

Saw this little guy today on Tower. Now these are the kind I don't mind seeing!

[nitro]

Jun 18, 2009 22:53:56 GMT -5 Mark Y said:

Much ado over very little. John offers sound advice on managing snakebites, but venomous bites are very rare and are usually the result of some dumass trying to handle/provoke a venomous snake. There isn't a a snake indigenous to the United States that won't get out of your way given the opportunity. Agressiveness under any circumstances other than defending themselves is a wive's tale.

The problem is that is is very easy to frighten a snake when biking. Last year, I was cruising down a hill on Brown Wave and was literally on top a snake before I could see the thing. Needless to say, the thing was not happy and struck at me foot! Fortunately it missed (and it looked like a common black snake), but it really scared the crap out of me. Since then, I have had 3 other snake encounters (2 on Brown, 1 on Skinny, 1 on Big Rock). I definitely slow it down during snake season.

[dgaddis1]

Nitro! Where you been man? You coming to the TT at the canal next week?

And check your math....2+1+1 does not equal 3

[nitro]

Jun 27, 2009 21:09:20 GMT -5 dgaddis1 said:

Nitro! Where you been man? You coming to the TT at the canal next week?

And check your math....2+1+1 does not equal 3

Friends don't let friends drink and post... Anyway, what I meant was that after that first snake encounter, I have had three more.

I have been doing a lot of traveling for work the last 2 months, so I have not be riding much. I am settled again and looking to ramp back up (still hoping on Fool's Gold this August). As far as the TT this week, my front fork is currently completely disassembled and I am waiting on parts for a rebuild. If I get them soon enough I'll be there (not looking good right now though!)

[txr]

Saw two snakes in Skinny today. The first one was about 1.9 miles in going CCW at a small switchback. It was about 3 or 3.5 feet long and stretched out across the trail. Not a herpatoligist but I think it was a King Snake (black with chain like markings). A constrictor. I did not see him until I was on top of him almost. As this was about my 4th or 5th time clipless I got a good acid test of clipping out quickly. I think I did ok since I had to break to a full stop and had the rear wheel off the ground as I clipped out. I ended up about 2 feet away from the bugger and slowly backed up a bit to give him space. He NEVER moved. I threw a stick off to the side of the trail to the side of him to see if he would move on...NOTHING. He finally moved on and went just off the trail. I got my camera out of my camelback and when I looked back up to snap a shot he was not to be seen. Hmmm oh well. Back on the bike I went. About 2 miles later I noticed a large turtle on the trail on a small uphill section and was focused on the turtle thinking...wow the trail builders sure do add some nice trail features and heard Alex in my head saying....can we add this trail feature to the "how well do you know the trails?" game. As I chuckled to myself and my lunacy I realized a small (about 8 inches long) snake strike at my pedals as I rode towards the turtle. OK I think the turtle was working with the snake here ;D Yup..the heart rate went up a bit there. Anyways...just a reminder to all riding the trails....just keep your eyes open and watch your speed as these guys are everywhere and as someone said earlier its not that they will be aggressive as the first one was totally tame but its when you come up on them going fast they get startled and defend themselves if they have to. Just a thought but thats my story and I am sticking to it ;D

Tom

[brianW]

On Deep Step Saturday Dustin stopped because of some good size holes in the trail. I noticed right away the holes were from something 9maybe a racoon) raiding a turle nest. Mainy egg shells near by.

[cyclemama]

The most exciting thing we've encountered at FATS were the bovine, ha! We've had deer and green snakes as well, but those I'm kosher with. Now the canal?? Insane wildlife. Alligator, many, many (many) snakes of all colors, turtles, and even baby raccoons. Must be all the water around the trail.