why you should check your stuff

“It amazes me how many times I have heard of people in the RRG getting bit by copperheads because they don't zip their tent closed but this is comical.

http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=69963”

“It amazes me how many times I have heard of people in the RRG getting bit by copperheads because they don't zip their tent closed

Really? I've been going down there for years now and have never heard of it or even seen a copperhead down there. I'm sure they're there though. Hell I do a lot of tarpin' down there. Maybe I should check my sleeping bag before getting in...”

“I could zip my tent, but it does not have a floor.”

“I will NEVER sleep anywhere but in a closed up tent!!!....you should see the size of our snakes & spiders in Alabama!!!”

“one morning got up and checked my pack, a big ugly spider, nothing to grab him with before he scurried out of sight so I grit my teeth and grabbed it with ny bare hand and flung it.still gives me the willys about picking it up.”

“We had a copperhead come right up to our campfire last year at RRG. He was peeking right over Miss Doolittle's shoulder.”

“I hate sleeping inside a tent. If the weather is good, i cowboy it.”

“I personally know someone that lost a finger from a bite, a nurse from Cincinnasty...left the tent unzipped in september...they were nice and warm. She woke up and had to relieve herself and placed her hand on it getting out of the bag.

I have personally seen no less than a dozen copperheads up close and personal at the gorge. Including one at the trail corner going to the program shelter for Koomer Ridge campground about 30 minutes before a program.

Seeing a copperhead on every trip to the gorge in the early 70's is what influenced me to buy my very first tent.

The place is literally crawling with them, if you have not seen one then you are not looking IMHO. They are the booby trap of choice for pot growers down there because they are so plentiful.”

“lol... what windigrl said. He wanted the heat from our fire that night and decided to sneak up on me.

:D”

“I understand they can make for good eating... should have let him flambe hisself....”

“hissself?”