SNAKE ALERT - Appalachian Trail

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#1

Just wanted to warn all those who may not be familiar with but experiencing the NC and Virginia trails that this year you need to keep an extra close eye out for Rattlers and Copperheads due to the dry weather allready being experienced and predicted for the rest of the summer. I know hikers always keep an eye out for the crawlers, or should, but this year will and allready has snakes crawling more and coming lower off the mountains and closer to the streams, creeks and springs due to the dry conditions in higher elevations and around rocky areas. A large rattler was killed very near my mountain home (about a hundred yards away) on our road, and although we always have copperheads, the rattlers tend to stay up on the mountain sides in or near rock dens except in dry years. To see one this early this close to the house is a warning, especially since we have cleaned up extensively in the past few years, and have no shelter for snakes and their prey to be living near our house. (We quit farming so to speak, and all our equipment, woodpile and materials are stored away from the house…) I noticed that one hiker has allready been bitten near Damascus leaving trail days. So for all you guys new to the mountains, read up on your snakebite prevention rules and have a safe hike this summer. Expecially be cautions when watering up and approaching springs and streams!!! I know most hikers want to see snakes in the wild, but no one wants to be surprised by one in the wrong way.

Big Dee

#2

Besides the very obvious “get to a Dr or medical help”, what do you do once you are bit, on an immedite basis? I know the old “slit, suck,& spit” response is not recommended. Given that you find a way to transport yourself to help; do you keep your leg elevated or do you keep it lower than your heart? Thanks…hope for a snake free summer: cheers

Laura

#3

Well, one thing that you can do if you get bit, is to try to keep calm. Raising your body part above or below your heart probably won’t make a difference (since most hikers are in good shape and the blood is going to flow quickly anyway). I would drink plenty of water to maintain your hydration and dilute out the effects of the toxin. About 50% of bites from Timber Rattlers are “dry bites” meaning they don’t have any toxin (so hope…). Rinsing the bite will help also (possibly). If you have Benedryl or an antihistamine to take, take that, b/c it may slow down the histamine release and potential reactions of the cells to the toxin.

Mostly, just stay calm, hydrated, and get medical attention (anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, and fluids).

FatCat

Michael Sanwald

#4

According to Backcountry First Aid by Buck Tilton, after a snakebite;

  1. Get away from the snake
  2. Remain as calm as possible
  3. Remove anything that might restrict circulation when swelling occurs.
  4. Gently wash the bite site
  5. Splint the bitten arm or leg, and keep the bite site on a level with the patient’s heart.
  6. Transport the patient to a doctor.
  7. Do not use cold packs, tourniquets, cutting and sucking, or electrical shocks.

Generally speaking, you will usually see snakes and you should not have any problems unless you harrass the snake. Just leave them alone and they will leave you alone.

I’m surprized that it’s a dry year in the south. We had near record rainfall in April in New England, and last year was a wet year for thru-hiking.

Peaks

#5

Suck out the venom is a myth, isn’t it?

Jeff T

#6

Hi. Virginia timber rattler here.

Guessss what? You people are TOO BIG TO EAT. No offensssse, but WE DON’T CARE ABOUT YOU. Don’t bother usssss, we won’t bother you. Just don’t put your handssss or feet in a place you can’t ssssee, okay? My nervoussss cousssin Phyllissss might be resssting in that very ssspot.

Oh, and don’t poke, prod, and throw sssstuff at the pretty ssssnake jusssst to provoke a rattle. We have lawyersss, you know.

snake