Nat

NOTE: This info is stuff I've read - I'm by no means an expert... A lot of people will quote stats about who is bitten and who isn't and what behaviors caused it (80% men, majority of those men drunk). Generally speaking, rattlers only bite in defense. They can perceive danger if you are too close or startle them. Good advice is "stop on, not over". Don't step over a rock when you can't see what's lurking on the far side of the rock. Step on then look down. If you notice a rattler, **STOP** then slowly back away. Go around (wide berth). Don't try to be a 'hero' and kill the snake (ie: throwing rocks, etc.). They also don't hear although they do sense vibration really well. Be loud from that perspective as you walk. Rattlers want to avoid you. Most of the time, they'll rattle to warn you, but not always. Sometimes they hide quitely. Rattlers can attack faster than your eye can notice so don't try to "get closer for a look". Even when not coiled, they can lunge 1/2 to 2/3 their length. As far as what to wear - most bites are low. Tall boots and baggy jeans are good. The advice I've heard about snake bite kits (and I'm no expert) is... don't cut yourself to get poison out and don't tie a turnicate. There are kits that suction/suck poison out - I don't know if that's a good idea or not. It sure seems like it would be, but I'm no expert. If you are ever bitten, you want emergency room attention ASAP. Call 911. Stay calm. If you freak out and have your blood pressure up, you'll spread the poison faster. Keep the bitten area lower than your heart. Hope that helps. Good advice Redfist. If you want maximum protection for your shins and legs you can wear leg protectors like hunters wear. I have a pair that cover my shins from my ankles to the bottom of my knees and are made of heavy duty canvas material that is almost like kevlar. I tried the hard PVC wrap around protectors but they were uncomfortable and got hot even on warm days in the desert were I live. I have never had to put them to use but I have peace of mind while I walk through tall grass and brush. They also work well to keep dry grass stickers (seeds) out of your boots, socks, and other clothing and off your body. I have seen people walk in the desert and step over a rattlesnake and not even see them because they blend in perfectly with the sand and rocks. It's good to wear some protection and heavy duty boots. -Nat I noticed this information in another forum after I posted this. These are the ticket! Thanks kawikaturn: Thanks for the update, Tom. Yes, I have over a dozen on hand. Different sizes and colors. I even have a pink pair! I sell them for and average amount of $55.00 on ebay. Click on the photos for more info on my ebay product page. I sell the exact same product as snakeguards.com sells for $63. Please contact me directly if you are interested and save $ on shipping and ebay fees. Dave "kawikaturn" Turner aka kawikaturn on ebay also! "The Journey Is The Destination"

NOTE: This info is stuff I've read - I'm by no means an expert... A lot of people will quote stats about who is bitten and who isn't and what behaviors caused it (80% men, majority of those men drunk). Generally speaking, rattlers only bite in defense. They can perceive danger if you are too close or startle them. Good advice is "stop on, not over". Don't step over a rock when you can't see what's lurking on the far side of the rock. Step on then look down. If you notice a rattler, **STOP** then slowly back away. Go around (wide berth). Don't try to be a 'hero' and kill the snake (ie: throwing rocks, etc.). They also don't hear although they do sense vibration really well. Be loud from that perspective as you walk. Rattlers want to avoid you. Most of the time, they'll rattle to warn you, but not always. Sometimes they hide quitely. Rattlers can attack faster than your eye can notice so don't try to "get closer for a look". Even when not coiled, they can lunge 1/2 to 2/3 their length. As far as what to wear - most bites are low. Tall boots and baggy jeans are good. The advice I've heard about snake bite kits (and I'm no expert) is... don't cut yourself to get poison out and don't tie a turnicate. There are kits that suction/suck poison out - I don't know if that's a good idea or not. It sure seems like it would be, but I'm no expert. If you are ever bitten, you want emergency room attention ASAP. Call 911. Stay calm. If you freak out and have your blood pressure up, you'll spread the poison faster. Keep the bitten area lower than your heart. Hope that helps. Good advice Redfist. If you want maximum protection for your shins and legs you can wear leg protectors like hunters wear. I have a pair that cover my shins from my ankles to the bottom of my knees and are made of heavy duty canvas material that is almost like kevlar. I tried the hard PVC wrap around protectors but they were uncomfortable and got hot even on warm days in the desert were I live. I have never had to put them to use but I have peace of mind while I walk through tall grass and brush. They also work well to keep dry grass stickers (seeds) out of your boots, socks, and other clothing and off your body. I have seen people walk in the desert and step over a rattlesnake and not even see them because they blend in perfectly with the sand and rocks. It's good to wear some protection and heavy duty boots. -Nat

If you have virtual caches in mind, my favorite one in Glacier was GC9869, Baring Falls. Nice hike to a roaring waterfall.

Stop by and visit my cache in Montana - Alberton Cache (GCXG11). It's best to take a short drive off I-90 to get to the cache (and an easy turn around near the cache if you don't have a trailer), or you can walk to it from the nearby Westbound rest stop if you choose an area where the weeds aren't too tall.

WOW! I appreciate all the responses! I'm not sure how to adopt them out; I guess the fairest deal is to start at the first reply, email the cachers, and go down the list. I think I will enjoy caching in Montana because I won't be overwhelmed by the lower number of caches to find (and slower life to live in general). Since I am one of the unfortunate people who work most of the week I can't keep up with you hard core cachers. But I have had fun trying to get to 500 finds and seeing areas of Southern CA I would have never seen without a geocache to draw me there. I will bring some tricks I have learned and hide some new and clever geocaches in Montana. I'll start contacting the interested parties soon. Happy caching!

This is a good time to add that I am moving out of state and I have 13 Geocaches that I would like to adopt out. I am also archiving some of them. Here's the list of active caches I own: Pinyon Mountain GCB037 Treasure Tree #6 GCJVKD Coins in the Cleft GCR4AW "Eat at Moe's" GCR98B Treasure Tree #2 GCJFM4 Treasure Tree #4 GCJK4A San Felipe Cache GCHGJA Treasure Tree #5 Relocated GCKY0H Cache Catcher GCM1YY Diablo GCF01F PCT in the Valley GCQVAW Coyote Mountains Claim GCMBRF Golden Crown GC279D Any takers? I'm moving to Montana in a month and I'll bet a few of you would like to take over the maintenance on these caches. THANKS!

I was just asking Splashette that same question last week. She said because the rain we got was so late in the season that this will actually not be a very good year for wildflowers. I'm not sure when the peak will be, but most people I've talked to told me to go around mid-April. I drove grapevine canyon trail from the 78 to Ranchita last weekend and didn't see anything blooming . plus went up S3 for a few Caches and nothing there. Ocotillo Wells the only thing growing are weeds at my place. Since I see the desert frequently I can agree with Splashette and Skillet - the desert flowers certainly don't look as good as they did last year. Some of the cacti and Ocotillo are blooming, and if it doesn't warm up there may be a late burst of color.

Can you beat 1968? (I was just a kid then and it was my dad's coop number but it was my money and so it still counts...) Trivia question: Where was REI in San Diego before its present location? Smokey, I am a long time REI member and I remember when their store was on University Avenue. Am I right? BTW, when I sign some cache logs I also sign my dog's name Smokey. He can't go everywhere with me, but he is as obsessed with geocaching as I am. So if you see a log by Nat and Smokey I am talking about a black lab mix, not you. No hard feelings....

Okay, all you White Jeep Travel Bug enthusiasts, check out the newly approved cache I hid in the desert. Its GCQVAW, also known as PCT in the Valley. The first ones who can hike a few miles can pick up a White Jeep and a FTF. Good luck! I won't be able to get to the event in the Truckhaven area, but maybe this Jeep TB can. Have fun out there, and be safe!

Contest time...guess where this is. ? Picture John & Jess, Is it the Cactus Loop Trail area near highway S3 and Tamarisk Grove Camp?

TrailGators, I don't know where to get a list of waypoints, but I have done a little geocaching near Lone Pine and Rock Creek. The Alabama Hills is a pretty area with lots of places for kids to explore. I like the cache "Mavericks Hideout" in the Alabama Hills. Also, there is a virtual cache North of there along 395 called "Earthquake Memorial" that is quick and easy. I like the website www.395.com and you might be able to find a link to waypoints there. Good luck and happy driving! Nat

Very funny Harmon! I had a feeling you couldn't resist! Actually, it's not a bad touch up. Now I have just one question. Where the heck am I????!!!!! Or should I ask, Adios Mio!!!! Donde estoy????? Thanks for the laugh, Nat

Harmon, Yes, that is indeed one of the reasons why I don't post my photo. I don't work for the Forest Service, but if I do tell you where I work I'll have to kill you. And I don't have it in me to do that to an ornery cowboy. I guess if I ever can afford the gas money to search for the rest of your famous caches I'll meet you in person and disclose where I work. In the mean time you'll have to keep feeding your weakness. Just kidding..... Happy Geocaching, Nat

Harmon, I am actually enjoying your pictures and submissions to the San Diego Thread. I feel badly that you hurt your leg, but the time you spend on the Forum really entertains us. I also have a feeling you're planning more devious SCC caches when you're not doctoring our pictures. I make it a point to never put a clear picture of me on my profiles. There may be a few on some virtual caches I found, but I had to take them to get credit for them. Anyway, that makes it difficult for any creative geocacher to doctor my photo. Thanks again, Harmon. I enjoy reading your blogs more than I do reading the local backcountry newspapers! Nat

I agree with Parsa. The desert is my favorite place to cache, but quality caches in unique places can be more worthwhile than adding a slew of them to your total. Sometimes the easy ones are fun, but I enjoy the challenging ones too. And even though the ranger that patrols Blair Valley picks up a lot of trash, he would respect geocachers if he knew that we picked up trash while we were caching.

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Bad news, the tour coin was NOT in "The Box". There is a note in the log that says Ackmah and Crew took this TB January 10th. There is no log on GC to indicate their visit at all. I'm having rouble finding there user id on GC. Anyone know them? Hey Duscwe! and devhead, Ackman did pick up the Anza Borrego Coin in January but did not post it until a few days ago. I am the owner of the coin - he contacted me and asked if he could hang on to it until he comes to Anza-Borrego in April. I told him to hang on to it until then. So it won't be in the desert in February, but maybe you can find it on your next trip. Nat Happy Geocaching!

All of Cuyamaca Rancho State Park is closed to vistors, including the turnouts along highway 79. The rangers are on patrol 24/7 and are citing people going into the park. I would suggest checking on your caches when it reopens. It might not reopen until April. Unfortunately there were not enough firefighters to save the historic headquarters/museum or the old Boy Scout Camp (Hual Cu Cuish). The plan is to rebuild and restore what is left. "I don't have a career, I have a life." Edward Abbey

I wanted to post the fact that Cuyamaca Rancho State Park and all the trails in the park are temporarily closed as of Sunday afternoon (10/26). Highway 79 is still open through the park. I'll post another reply when this changes. "I don't have a career, I have a life." Edward Abbey [This message was edited by Nat on October 27, 2003 at 12:48 AM.]

I visit national parks on my vacations and hike on their trails and explore off trail sometimes. I would enjoy finding caches in national parks while I'm getting to know them. I think it would create little more use than is already occuring. When I find caches on my vacations it seems like I have to go out of my way and route to get to other public land that already have caches hidden there.

Thanks for your reply, Elias. Later MyPop files have been virus free. It could have very well been a false positive. I learn something new everyday. I'll contact you if it happens on a routine basis. Cosider this topic closed.

I use Hotmail and it scans every file with McAfee. This was the first virus it has ever picked up in the last 3 years I've been using the service.

Has anyone else found a virus in their MyPop searches? I found one today (March 29, 2003). Next week I will have antivius software, so maybe I can identify the virus. I DIDN'T open the download.