OT: How many of you all have hiked the Fiery Gizzard?
- Thread starter NeveSSL
- Start date
Fanof49ASU
Premium Member
I haven't been, but some of my friends love it.....though, you don't want to be there during 'snake season'.....it's supposed to be filled with those nasty critters.
NeveSSL
Got tubes?
Huh-oh... you called snakes nasty critters... Steve's gonna come after ya, Mark! :lol:
Don't think we'll have to worry about it too much next weekend, although it IS going to rain apparently.
I've got rain gear, tho, so maybe it won't be too bad. Then again, I may wait until the next trip... heh.
Brandon
PS Found another new polyp on "the zoas" yesterday.
They seem to be taking off! 
Makes me muy happy...
Don't think we'll have to worry about it too much next weekend, although it IS going to rain apparently.
I've got rain gear, tho, so maybe it won't be too bad. Then again, I may wait until the next trip... heh.Brandon
PS Found another new polyp on "the zoas" yesterday.
They seem to be taking off! Makes me muy happy...
sandalscout
New member
Brandon, I've not done it either, but I am in TTA, and the Clarksville chapter has done it, and everyone I know that's been on it has really enjoyed it.
Man, I keep going to the wrong schools! Everyone I know that goes to different colleges end up taking diving classes, and now hiking classes?!?!?!?! man oh man!
Man, I keep going to the wrong schools! Everyone I know that goes to different colleges end up taking diving classes, and now hiking classes?!?!?!?! man oh man!
Fanof49ASU
Premium Member
I only hate the poisonous ones. Rattlers, copperheads, cotton mouths, etc. I grew up in an area that used to be a swamp. It is infested with them, and although it's illegal to kill a rattler, I'd wipe out every one that I saw.
I'd spend the entire weekend (literally) shooting cotton mouths at my Grandparents house, and I never put a dent in the population. I hate those damned creatures!!!
Fanof49ASU
Premium Member
BTW.....my favorite snake is a King snake....for obvious reasons.
Fanof49ASU
Premium Member
Just did a search on this. Man....you've got me wanting to do this!
http://outside.away.com/magazine/0393/933deten.html
http://www.montesano.com/hikeweb/gizzard.htm
http://www.thebackpacker.com/trails/tn/trail_261.php
http://outside.away.com/magazine/0393/933deten.html
http://www.montesano.com/hikeweb/gizzard.htm
http://www.thebackpacker.com/trails/tn/trail_261.php
DMBillies
Active member
Brandon-
I've not done the Fiery Gizzard. We have hiked at least half of the Savage Gulf area just north-east of there. Nice hiking, plenty of places to camp, and the trails are marked well. One issue we've found is that anywhere you are hiking up or down between the gulf rim and the gulf is incredibly steep and, more importantly, very rocky because of falls from the walls of the gulf (i.e., hard to walk because you're skipping stones). It's very slow going, so you just have to allow for that, which I imagine your teacher/guide will. I've not had encounters with any snakes, but I would imagine that there are some in that kind of habitat (especially the rock falls where there would be plenty of places to hide).
I think this goes without saying, but lose any weight you don't need. Obviously there is some basic safety gear you should not go without, but all those extra ounces add up fast. You won't be doing 3,000 foot climbs or anything so extreme, but best to be realistic about what you really need.
If you have any specific questions, shoot. I'm not a total expert, but I have spent quite a bit of time in the woods and I've been on a few hiking trips... including a week in the Alps
I've not done the Fiery Gizzard. We have hiked at least half of the Savage Gulf area just north-east of there. Nice hiking, plenty of places to camp, and the trails are marked well. One issue we've found is that anywhere you are hiking up or down between the gulf rim and the gulf is incredibly steep and, more importantly, very rocky because of falls from the walls of the gulf (i.e., hard to walk because you're skipping stones). It's very slow going, so you just have to allow for that, which I imagine your teacher/guide will. I've not had encounters with any snakes, but I would imagine that there are some in that kind of habitat (especially the rock falls where there would be plenty of places to hide).
I think this goes without saying, but lose any weight you don't need. Obviously there is some basic safety gear you should not go without, but all those extra ounces add up fast. You won't be doing 3,000 foot climbs or anything so extreme, but best to be realistic about what you really need.
If you have any specific questions, shoot. I'm not a total expert, but I have spent quite a bit of time in the woods and I've been on a few hiking trips... including a week in the Alps
NeveSSL
Got tubes?
Wow, Mark... didn't know you were so passionate about snakes! I understand, though. Its definitely something you need to be aware of hiking, too, needless to say. It kind of concerns me that this weekend is supposed to be like 68 degrees. Not sure if thats warm enough to bring them out, but as Brian pointed out, there are plenty of places for them to stay.
Brian: Thanks for the offer of advice. I'm borrowing most of my stuff from a friend. It just so happens that he does hiking quite a bit and has all the gear and also needs someone to put his studio together... we worked out a deal.
And I think he's got pretty nice stuff.
I'm going to try to find someone Wednesday to split up the cooking stuff and the tent with, but we'll see. There are actually more girls in our class than guys, which made my 65 year old teacher extremely happy as she is also female. We have a good class, though. Most everyone is really into it and seems mature and responsible about it... and thats extremely nice, especially in a class like this where we could be depending on each other rather heavily should something go wrong.
Anyway, thanks again for the replies. Does anyone have any pics or anything? I've found some via google, but you can never see too many pics.
Brandon
I understand, though. Its definitely something you need to be aware of hiking, too, needless to say. It kind of concerns me that this weekend is supposed to be like 68 degrees. Not sure if thats warm enough to bring them out, but as Brian pointed out, there are plenty of places for them to stay.Brian: Thanks for the offer of advice. I'm borrowing most of my stuff from a friend. It just so happens that he does hiking quite a bit and has all the gear and also needs someone to put his studio together... we worked out a deal.
And I think he's got pretty nice stuff. I'm going to try to find someone Wednesday to split up the cooking stuff and the tent with, but we'll see. There are actually more girls in our class than guys, which made my 65 year old teacher extremely happy as she is also female.
We have a good class, though. Most everyone is really into it and seems mature and responsible about it... and thats extremely nice, especially in a class like this where we could be depending on each other rather heavily should something go wrong.Anyway, thanks again for the replies. Does anyone have any pics or anything? I've found some via google, but you can never see too many pics.
Brandon
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