touring the southwest... in the winter!?
10-09-09, 03:08 PM
#26
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10-11-09, 10:26 AM
#27
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"ON THEM THANGS???? I WOULDN'T EVEN TAKE MY HORSE UP THERE!!"
Needless to say he got us a little nervous, since we had no clue about the hills ahead. When we actually started up the trail there was a never-ending stream of Oldsmobiles passing us with a gray-haired guy driving and a blue-haired lady in the passenger seat, usually with their mouths hanging open as they stared at us. It was an experience I won't ever forget.
Last edited by simplygib; 10-11-09 at 10:32 AM.
10-11-09, 09:35 PM
#28
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If you are camping I recommend taking a fully encloseable tent rather than a tarp or bivy. There are lots of dangerous critters in the desert. In my 20 years here in Arizona I have seen hundreds of rattle snakes and scorpions. At times run ins with them seem like a daily occurance. I have been stung a few times by scorpions and never had a problem like some people do. I've even been attacked by a rattle snake that launched off a boulder above me while hiking. It sank its fangs into the front of my shirt, but did'nt break my skin. I freaked and rolled 30 feet down off the cliff. Carry a Sawyer Extractor in case. Bites can be fatal to some. People say Gila Monsters are the most dangerous. I have only seen one up close while hiking and it was not aggressive. Taratulas are around but they are shy and a non issue. Coyotes are everywhere, but not dangerous at all. They are actually fun and playful at times with people - like dogs.
A few rules - do not stick your hands in places which you cannot clearly see. Walk carefully and slowly in thick brush. Be aware of the temperature. Snakes are cold blooded and will be most active when it is warm. When I have encountered snakes, Mr snake went one direction, and I went the other - no problem. Gila Monsters are not a problem at all. I do not know of any examples of anyone being bitten (My roommmate kept one in our dorm room at the UofA).
I came to AZ in 1956 for school. I was active in Search and Rescue in Tucson until I left in 1985 for Calif., participating in over 400 operations. How many snake bite accidents did we have in that time? - None whatever!
I attended a lecture by a Tucson physician who had treated something on the order of fifty or so snakebites. He had seen two types of patients - 1) young children playing around their houses , 2) people going in the desert deliberately seeking out snakes.
By the way, rattlesnakes are not unique to the Arizona desert. Every state (except Maine, I believe) has them. Be alert and aware and use common sense. The potentially most dangerous critters in the desert, and other places, as well, are bipedal.
I would really like to know more about the attack discussed in this post. I have never heard of anything like it.
10-11-09, 10:06 PM
#29
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Current EMS thinking is that the extractor doesn't work, nor does the old "loose" tourniquet. The best practices now are to keep your heart-rate low & dial 911. It's really very simple, and also, in the winter, the chances of encountering an agitated snake are pretty low.
10-12-09, 03:30 AM
#30
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This post is highly exaggerated and alarmist. While there are snakes and scorpions in the desert, they avoid people whenever possible. A Sawyer Extractor is most likely not going to be used and will be dead weight.
A few rules - do not stick your hands in places which you cannot clearly see. Walk carefully and slowly in thick brush. Be aware of the temperature. Snakes are cold blooded and will be most active when it is warm. When I have encountered snakes, Mr snake went one direction, and I went the other - no problem. Gila Monsters are not a problem at all. I do not know of any examples of anyone being bitten (My roommmate kept one in our dorm room at the UofA).
I came to AZ in 1956 for school. I was active in Search and Rescue in Tucson until I left in 1985 for Calif., participating in over 400 operations. How many snake bite accidents did we have in that time? - None whatever!
I attended a lecture by a Tucson physician who had treated something on the order of fifty or so snakebites. He had seen two types of patients - 1) young children playing around their houses , 2) people going in the desert deliberately seeking out snakes.
By the way, rattlesnakes are not unique to the Arizona desert. Every state (except Maine, I believe) has them. Be alert and aware and use common sense. The potentially most dangerous critters in the desert, and other places, as well, are bipedal.
I would really like to know more about the attack discussed in this post. I have never heard of anything like it.
A few rules - do not stick your hands in places which you cannot clearly see. Walk carefully and slowly in thick brush. Be aware of the temperature. Snakes are cold blooded and will be most active when it is warm. When I have encountered snakes, Mr snake went one direction, and I went the other - no problem. Gila Monsters are not a problem at all. I do not know of any examples of anyone being bitten (My roommmate kept one in our dorm room at the UofA).
I came to AZ in 1956 for school. I was active in Search and Rescue in Tucson until I left in 1985 for Calif., participating in over 400 operations. How many snake bite accidents did we have in that time? - None whatever!
I attended a lecture by a Tucson physician who had treated something on the order of fifty or so snakebites. He had seen two types of patients - 1) young children playing around their houses , 2) people going in the desert deliberately seeking out snakes.
By the way, rattlesnakes are not unique to the Arizona desert. Every state (except Maine, I believe) has them. Be alert and aware and use common sense. The potentially most dangerous critters in the desert, and other places, as well, are bipedal.
I would really like to know more about the attack discussed in this post. I have never heard of anything like it.
I think not bringing a tent is the better option. I love a good tarp.
10-12-09, 07:49 AM
#31
aka Timi
never had a bug-in-a-bag... but a few ants-in-the-ear 
10-12-09, 08:24 AM
#32
Hooked on Touring
I pitched my tent, once, on a lovely sandy bank of a river in Oregon.
I was miserable for a week afterwards.
Sand fleas.
I was miserable for a week afterwards.
Sand fleas.
10-12-09, 03:37 PM
#33
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