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Post by starwalker on Apr 20, 2017 10:05:00 GMT -8
Tuesday, I was outside, taking down an old barbed wire fence that is on the edge of my yard, when, without warning, a dead limb, about twice as long and around as my arm, crashed down about 10 feet away from me. There was no wind, no rain, it was at sunset, but it had been an very nice day. The limb decided it had had all it could take I guess. So, it isn't just windy or stormy conditions that can have limb fall, so always be sure to look up before pitching your tents.
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Post by Lamebeaver on Apr 20, 2017 10:23:56 GMT -8
Glad you're OK
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Post by Coolkat on Apr 20, 2017 10:30:46 GMT -8
so always be sure to look up before pitching your tents. This was something that when I first started backpacking that my "mentor" warned me about time and time again. Now I'm not sure if I can even think about pitching a tent before looking up. |
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crawford
Trail Wise!
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.--Edison
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Post by crawford on Apr 20, 2017 10:34:08 GMT -8
so always be sure to look up before pitching your tents. Thank you for the reminder. This is always good advice. I don't think any of us can hear it too often. Glad you were ok. |
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Hungry Jack
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Living and dying in 3/4 time...
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Post by Hungry Jack on Apr 20, 2017 12:09:24 GMT -8
The beetle kill is increasing making this an issue out west, and some places east.
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swmtnbackpacker
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Back but probably posting soon under my real name ... Rico Sauve
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Post by swmtnbackpacker on Apr 21, 2017 14:33:50 GMT -8
Hard to say as CW has people putting all sorts of shelters under trees for more warmth and maybe less condensation.
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driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
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Post by driftwoody on Apr 24, 2017 9:39:50 GMT -8
I've made it a strict policy to never hang my hammock anywhere near trees.
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walkswithblackflies
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Resident terrorist-supporting eco-freak bootlicker
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Apr 24, 2017 10:14:15 GMT -8
Glad you weren't hit. I was actually struck in the arm while trail running a couple months ago (only the slightest of breezes). Only 3' long and 2" in diameter... but scared the crap outta me, and hurt more than I thought it would.
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Post by trinity on Apr 24, 2017 12:35:14 GMT -8
Thanks for the important reminder, and I'm glad you were out of the way. I've always been somewhat paranoid about widowmakers, but I'm even more so since we lost Chuck D.
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speacock
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I'm here for the food...
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Post by speacock on Apr 24, 2017 13:11:08 GMT -8
In college stomping around Rockies, came across a deer - mostly skeleton - pinned to the ground by a large branch. Would have thought their reflexes would have put it a mile a way by the time the branch hit the ground.
Like Starwalker said: "...without warning..."
I like looking up at stars. That puts me a bit away from deadfalls.
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desert dweller
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Power to the Peaceful...Hate does not create.
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Post by desert dweller on Apr 24, 2017 21:13:33 GMT -8
Don't pitch your tent if the area looks like this.  |
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RumiDude
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Marmota olympus
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Post by RumiDude on Apr 24, 2017 23:27:23 GMT -8
There was no wind, no rain, it was at sunset, but it had been an very nice day. The limb decided it had had all it could take I guess. After the winter storms, the limbs loosened up tend to fall throughout the spring. And yes, it doesn't take a big wind , just a subtle shift in a tree and down it comes. Rumi |
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walkswithblackflies
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Resident terrorist-supporting eco-freak bootlicker
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Apr 25, 2017 2:16:39 GMT -8
Don't pitch your tent if the area looks like this. That looks like the entire Adirondacks. |
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desert dweller
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Power to the Peaceful...Hate does not create.
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Post by desert dweller on Apr 25, 2017 8:40:08 GMT -8
That looks like the entire Adirondacks. Actually, it's in Arizona, north of Flagstaff from a few days ago. (Trip report, soon.) We hiked through three miles of deadfall. Widow makers galore. |
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talus
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Post by talus on Apr 25, 2017 9:42:06 GMT -8
That looks like the entire Adirondacks. Naw, I could walk through that without bleeding. |
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