What about snakes?

Rattlesnakes appear to be a thing where we’re going.

I remember once visiting Sweetwater, TX, home of the world’s largest rattlesnake roundup. More than 1000 lbs of rattlesnake are cooked on the spot for visitors.

I wasn’t concerned until Ben, our local mastermind, suggested buying snake-proof gaiters. Really?

I did some reading, here’s what I learned:

• Easy to get bitten if you land out and have to bushwhack back to a road

• Advice is to wear boots, long pants, and maybe gaiters

Rattlesnakes appear to be a thing where we’re going.

• Only 1 in 500 rattlesnake bites ends up being lethal

• about half the bites are ‘dry bites’, with no venom involved

• try to keep bite below the heart. Keep your heart rate down. Don’t apply a tourniquet, don’t apply ice, don’t take painkillers, don’t try to suck out the venom

• try to remember what the snake looked like (this is ridiculous, I can’t even remember what people looked like)

My conclusions:

• Boots: Probably not, just my Salewa Wildfire Edge approach shoe

• Long pants: Probably yes, mainly to avoid speed-bar chafing and getting dragged

• Gaiters: Will bring a pair. If space in my harness becomes scarce, I might drop them.