Hiking along a sun-soaked hillside full of bushes and rocks.
Huh that shape is kind of snake-y. I’d probably use my pole to push it and then
Huh what’s that buzzing noise?
OH SHIT OH JEEZ OH WOW THATS A RATTLESNAKE. It’s moving. Its coiledish but that’s a rattlesnake head and it’s definitely moving and not happy to be disturbed. not taking that next step that would’ve landed my foot right next to it.
Couple steps back now, not jerky but not slowly either. Probably a good time to take out my AirPods. Oh that’s DEFINITELY a rattle.
Tap tap tap with my hiking poles, yes rattlesnake be scared of me and move off the trail please… yes good okay keep moving away… wait no not that way the trail curves and that rock is right next to the trail dammit.
I was able to skirt around its little rock bunker there while staying mostly on trail and tapping my poles in its general direction, but phew was that a jolt today. Probably 3 feet long and 1.5-2” in diameter. Otherwise, mostly just a hot climb for a 14.5 mile day.
Staying at this extremely cool spot though, run by this guy named Mike. He’s got this property with a couple big water tanks and tons of tent sites and opens it up to pct hikers. Wish he were around to meet I bet he’s a character.
Looks like I’ve got a long water carry ahead of me tomorrow, there’s maybe a source 10 miles out but the only sure water is 25 at paradise valley cafe. Think I’m bringing 6L out of here and checking that spot in 10 mi.
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