Southern Yosemite Climbing Discussions
Southern Yosemite Categories => General Discussion => Topic started by: mungeclimber on February 19, 2015, 11:32:09 am
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http://www.sierranewsonline.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=4877%3Alessons-learned-from-a-mountain-lion-encounter&Itemid=535
Most of us know they are out there.
Be aware.
Tiki Jer told me about the Mtn Lion that habits the Jackass Rock formation.
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Wow! Poor Sally! I like Candace's well-rounded post, and the view, "This cat was doing what mountain lions normally do when they shop for groceries."
I've heard more than a few people say they felt they were being tracked out there mostly east side on the ridge and into the SJR canyon. We've seen a few full grown area lions - one in the morning in the area that's now burned - Fish to Rock Creek Camps, and then the two mates not far from where you park to climb at Chiquito. I also am convinced I saw the tail end of one slipping into the woods, again, that was out in the area that was lush that's now burned and occurred while we were driving along Minarets. When hiking all over the place from the ridge to the SJR areas, I've not infrequently wondered if paw prints or scat belonged to a cat. There're plenty of area caves and rocky outcroppings for pouncing from. There's also considerably less habitat for those that have had to move from burn areas.
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(http://www.southernyosemiteclimbing.com/SMF/photo_album_resized/P1120703_resized.jpg)
Here's a prime cave right next to the climbs at the north end of Jackass.
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From what I've read, mountain lions are stealth attack animals. They attack from behind and go for the back of the neck. If you can see it, it probably won't attack. The humans I've read about never saw or heard it beforehand except the guy on a bicycle riding a paved road who said he heard the claws tapping as it made its final sprint behind him.
http://www.komonews.com/news/archive/4055016.html (http://www.komonews.com/news/archive/4055016.html)
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I've heard them described exactly that way as well, stealth being the perfect word. Yikes, the description of the sound of claws, fingernails on formica, gives goose bumps.
I've also heard that if a mt. lion allows itself to become visible within 50 yards or I wish I recalled the specific distance, that it's already too late, the cat may have the advantage and be about to pounce.
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Lions don't typically go to trees unless being chased. They definitely will attack from behind, never to the front. Similar to when you are walking down the hall and you cat comes out of hiding to claw your ankles.
Some tribes in areas where tigers are found have adopted wearing a mask on the back of their heads so the tigers never feel like they are at the back of the person. This was affective according to what I read.
Get a hat or stickers for your helmet that have some big eyes. hahaha
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Googly eyes for the back of my hard hat.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Googly_eyes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Googly_eyes)
"Barney Google With the Goo-Goo-Googly Eyes"
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I like that!
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Haha... I've done something like that at times... turned the hat around, put the sunglasses on the back of my head, tried wearing an extra headlamp backwards... generally I'm not really worried, but that recent post by Munge will get under my skin next times we are out.
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Wow I finally read that article . That's pretty crazy.
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Ran across this story regarding cats near North Fork going after sheep and goats :(
http://www.sierranewsonline.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=5058:mountain-lion-kills-livestock-near-north-fork&Itemid=468
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That's one hungry puty tat!
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A friend driving home from recently visiting with us in Soyo texted from Oakhurst that he just saw a mountain lion. 'he did, he did'. Said its length from its nose to the tip of its tail spanned the width of the highway lane.
Interesting article. Is that a normal diet for one cat? To kill seven sheep at once? Probably something skewed in the facts versus reports. Sounds extreme and a half.
When hiking by a boulder in Red Rocks once I saw a mountain lion's not-so-fresh kill. At first I noticed the flies buzzing and swirling and then saw the large dead goat partly buried with its head sticking face up out of the dirt.
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length from its nose to the tip of its tail spanned the width of the highway lane
Yikes!
To kill seven sheep at once?
Maybe so. Cats will bury their prey and save for later, much like that goat you saw. That cat won't be too happy if its prey has been removed.
Here's a decent read on mountain lion behaviors: http://www.defenders.org/mountain-lion/basic-facts