Saturday, August 15, 2015 Ankles and Snakes

 

 

 

EARLY AUGUST ON OLD RAG

SATURDAY AUGUST 15, 2015

 

Flowers along the roads.

 

 

 

 

 

PREVENT SEARCH AND RESCUE

 

An ankle injury is loaded into the ambulance for transport.     Old Rag has many ankle injuries across the spectrum of severity.   After you leave the summit it is not unusual to relax.   The challenge is over.   It is time to think and talk about what fun stops you might make on the way home.   This is also a good time to remind yourself you still have a long hike out.  A good time to remind yourself that your body is tired and that you are apt to be less focused on the task at hand.  Climbing up meant gravity kept your speed and momentum more controlled while heading down means the opposite.   This is why the percentage of ankle strains and sprains is MUCH! higher for hikers going down the mountain than for hikers going up the mountain.    Reminding yourself of these thoughts before leaving the summit might be a good preventive measure.   The

best recues are the ones that never need to happen.

SNAKES MOVING AT NIGHT

The following two shots of Copperheads crossing the fire road were taken  forty minutes and two miles apart.   The first one was taken during fairly bright dusk conditions near PO Junction and the second was taken in night conditions about a half mile from the upper parking lot.    I had been looking off through the woods at a campsite and did not notice the first one until my lead footfall was about four feet from him.   The end of my next pace had a likelihood  of landing my foot on this fellow.  From his coloration it looks like he may be getting ready to shed.   Snakes can be a little bit grumpier when they are in this condition.     It is not a good idea to be walking around at night without some type of light when SNP snakes are active.   Make sure you are watching were you put your feet, hands, or other body parts when in the SNP backcountry.