Komikaze Marmot

Posted by ped on 7/4/2007 on ped's blog

I’ve never seen anything like this before. My climbing compadre, Jason, and I were hiking back to the car today after a stellar day at Lumpy. We were rapping about {insert typical climbing dialog here}, when I see Jason scrambling like a madman to get off the trail. Immediately, I see the cause of his distress. A well fed marmot was galloping down the trail right toward us at what seemed like attack speed. Now, being the one right in his line of (apparent) attack, and considering his alarming velocity, I removed myself from the trail as quickly as possible. Still, this crazy and probably rabid rodent bore down on us. I only had enough time to conclude that we were going to be the victims of some kind of brain-fever-induced bloodlust, when, ten feet away, he peeled off at a 45 degree angle heading to God-knows where. He was gone in an instant. It was the funniest and the freakiest thing I’ve seen in a while. I laughed for a long time. But I have to say, it was way more unnerving than any of the climbing we did.

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6 comments

gonzobeer says:

That's just the circumstance that BD was considering when they made the #6 Camalot
Licentia Haud Vestigium

by gonzobeer on Wed, 2007-07-04 04:57

ped says:

Ha! Self defense, eh? I didn't have my #6 with me. It's not everyday you need it for these kind of attacks.

by ped on Wed, 2007-07-04 05:08

gonzobeer says:

Obviously you were never a boy scout. Always be prepared, that and a #6 ALWAYS makes chicks dig ya. Perhaps the violence isn't neccesary, Nice Marmot, The Dude abides.
Licentia Haud Vestigium

by gonzobeer on Wed, 2007-07-04 06:28

woodchuck07 says:

I find chicks like at least a size 8 to be impressed. As for the kamiMarmot..Well you know as Woodchuck07 there must be a story behind it related to cousin marmot or groundhog in some way. My 'charging' marmot was rabid but unfortunately in a Wisc. State Park where they did not appreciate my 'offing' the varmint in defense of a harmless backpack. Drop kicks to the body did not deter this animal at 2 AM when all good groundhogs must be asleep I would think. So out came the trusty Buck knife (Charles Manson model of course) and Stabber' had the pesky rodent pegged through and through to the ground. We waddled off to die I guess, and next thing I know I'm in jail for 'hunting' in a state park. Held overnight. Knife confiscated. Bond paid. Trial date set. Fines paid. Free at last, free at last, thank God awlmighty' I was freed in the AM after a terrible jailhouse breakfast of greasy sausages floating in maple syrup on soggy french toast. So Always have a Camelot ready cuz a Buck knife seems to be considered 'with intent' where the cam might be considered self defense.

by woodchuck07 on Wed, 2007-07-04 12:39

doubleD says:

I recently had a very ticked off bat give me a hard time on a trad lead at Sam's Throne in Arkansas. He was about 2 inches back in the crack. When I first saw the movement I thought it was several bees moving around. He made a strange noise. When I looked closer it was a bat that was upright and showing his fangs like a rabid dog. If I had jammed that part of the crack I would have been bitten for sure. igottagetoutside calmly says "Well just come down!" Hmmmm, I was in the middle of a trad lead so "just coming down" was not really an option. Thankfully he didn't come out and I finished the lead. The guy that seconded was warned that right above the grey alien was a very angry bat. STILL, when he got there I felt the rope go tight. When he finally got to the top I asked why he fell. He say 'that bat scared the s... out of me'. I thought that was hilarious since he had extensive advanced warning and knew exactly where it would be.

by doubleD on Wed, 2007-07-04 23:34