On Your Butt Adventures

[RobG]

Have you ever stepped on one of those downhill-pointing sticks covered with wet snow and found yourself instantly on your side? Yeah, that is what I'm talking about. Last Monday I hit one and landed harder than ever on my shoulder. Each year I wonder when I'm going to break something...

What do you call these death traps? Sticks of peril? Slick Willy? Otter's P*cker?

 

[MThuntr]

Oh I hate those! My hips and ass hurt just thinking about them.

We had plenty of those yesterday when we were above 8000' (where the snowline was currently at). My friend crashed twice and the second time knocked the wind out of her. Almost had to carry her down the mtn...thank god we were a short drive to the nearest hot springs to soothe our aches.

 

[Big Fin]

The best ever "Digger" I ever witnessed was Spitz when we were hunting in WY last year. If he didn't break something on that fall, he isn't "breakable." Given we have new snow and I head out for a week of hunting tomorrow, it will be rare that a day goes by without some sort of spill on those.

Those are bad, but a five-year old burn of barkless blown down trees are "slipperier than deer guts on a door knob." I know from personal experience.

 

[RobG]

Those are bad, but a five-year old burn of barkless blown down trees are "slipperier than deer guts on a door knob." I know from personal experience.

No kidding, but I know to stay off those now. My hiking partner and I decided to take a "short cut" on a "no longer maintained" trail in the Selway 20 years ago. I mean, how hard could it be? Huge mistake as it was an old burn with blowdown of old spruce 5-6' in diameter. You couldn't duck under the trees so we walked on top of them. Then the bark sloughed off of one and sent my friend for about a 6' drop with a full backpack load on.

He was always an adventure to hike with.

 

[track1]

I wear these when I hunt steep country in the snow. they work great. Kahtoola micro spikes.

 

[Ben Lamb]

I am an expert at falling. Whether it's wade fishing, hunting or just not being able to put one foot in front of the other, I've learned how to tuck & roll.

It's why I maintain my extra padding. I'd be all stove up if I was skinny.

 

[RobG]

I wear these when I hunt steep country in the snow. they work great. Kahtoola micro spikes.

I have a pair of older boots with a bunch of sheet metal screws in the soles that work well (other than being noisy on rocks), but if you hit one of those sticks you are still going down.

 

[noharleyyet]

I usually trip on extension cord-like vines under the leaves...no worries though, my rifle scope usually breaks the fall.

 

[jryoung]

Sitka needs to modify the "Timberline" pant and introduce the "Ass Over Tea Kettle" pant with removable pad for not only your knees but ass too. Sitka - Turning clothing into protective gear for the average hunter.

 

[Ben Lamb]

I usually trip on extension cord-like vines under the leaves...no worries though, my rifle scope usually breaks the fall.

God bless the Leupold warranty.

 

[MKotur325]

I've learned how to tuck & roll.

How's that work in waders!!

 

[Ben Lamb]

How's that work in waders!!

Depends on the stream.

 

[MKotur325]

Depends on the stream.

Tell 'ya what... The Gallatin is my nemesis when it comes to wading... I've had more wader filling days on that river than every other river I've fished combined. Especially from Williams Bridge-YNP... I've spend many a day on that river doing the wet wader shuffle.

As far as the Sticks under snow, I just call them a pain in the A$$!

 

[jtw]

I strained my groin on one of those under some alder leaves elk hunting this year. Took a step and next thing I knew, I was doing full splits down hill.

 

[300stw]

Sitka needs to modify the "Timberline" pant and introduce the "Ass Over Tea Kettle" pant with removable pad for not only your knees but ass too. Sitka - Turning clothing into protective gear for the average hunter.

I take two pairs my son and I both need them

 

[mixedbag]

Yep, love little saplings like that tucked under the snow facing downhill.Sent me skiing unwillingly on more then one occasion.I'm also fond of those small beaver chewed saplings I always seem to find and trip over.Tripped over one driving islands on the Yellowstone River a couple years back and landed on my scope.That sapling sure helped a nice 5x5 survive the following day when I realized my scope was now way off the mark

 

[Nameless Range]

I'm not sure what the scientific name for those things is. Something like:

Genus: Expletive of choice

Species: "Stick"

 

[RobG]

I'm not sure what the scientific name for those things is. Something like:

Genus: Expletive of choice

Species: "Stick"

I've got it: frustrum stercore lignum

 

[RobG]

Today was a perfect day for an OYBA. The new 2 inches of snow had no cohesion because it fell in sub-zero weather; it was like powdered graphite. My friend warned me that there would be swearing on the climb-out to the ridge since it was so steep and slippery.

He was leading the way and knocked the snow off one of the slippery sticks (lubrico baculus) when he barely missed it. Now I'm thinking "Ha, you aren't going to get me you gosh darn slippery stick! I'm going to step over you and cleverly use you to lock my foot in place, keeping me from sliding downhill." However I didn't see the %@*#$ bastard polished log immediately above it and did a full face plant. I filled my binos and open shirt with snow, and the rifle hit the ground hard; luckily I broke the rifle's fall with the back of my head so minimal damage done .

I made a walking stick out of an old branch and it made all the difference in the world... I'm carrying a trekking pole from now on.

Diagram attached...

 

[DaveHawk]

You guys need to hunt in the marches of the eastern shore h re in Md. You step in one of the nutra holes and down ya go, mi ht hit a sunken stump , them things will put a hurten on ya.