Deep Water Solo Serpent Scare

by Derek Wehrle
(Rock Springs, Wyoming)

I have climbed off and on for the past few years, but for the past several months I have really taken bouldering seriously. My friend Dane and I have climbed at our local wall about 2 hours a day, 6 days a week. Sometimes we go to the "T Rex Boulders", they are about the only good boulders we have in our direct area, Without burning a whole tank of gas.

One day Dane asked me to go to Squal Hallow with his family for a day at the lake. This is an area of the Wyoming section of the flaming gorge. We both had taken our chalk bags and shoes with us in hopes to squeeze in a bit of "deep" water soloing. Now the rock in this area is nearly entirely white sandstone I would not trust to hold on for 2 seconds. However we found a cliffside that offered very sturdy crimps and cracks. This particular area was not high up so we decided to give 'er a go. We first got off Dane's boat and walked to the top and looked down to make sure there were no rattlers around. The Flaming gorge is famous for pygmy rattlesnakes.

All looked good. Well Dane and I walked back down to a platform where we could get a good start. Dane lead the way, with me a good 5 or 6 holds behind him, just enjoying the amazing day.

All appeared good, I was amazed at some of the crimps I was latching onto, and gave Dane props on his footwork on several moves. (we skipped several holds and only used crimps to add our own challenge, otherwise this cliff would have been way to easy). Then I heard a frantic panicking voice. When Dane needed to rest and chalk up, he reached up for a huge jug to grip for a while. Poor Dane, i wonder what he thought when he felt the snake skin on his hand. hahaha.

The snake turned out to be only a bull snake, and quickly slithered up through the cracks. Where this spot was, there was a small ledge about 7 feet below Dane, preventing him from just falling back into the water. IN fear of having a rattler on his hand, Dane yelled for me to back up. I was sadly unable to do so easily, as I did not want to panic and break a bone because of a sloppy movement.

Let's just say that I have never seen Dane stick a bigger Dyno since. he used only his hand he had in the jug, two small foots, and latched onto an overhang with such style that Sharma would have been proud. Dane went from being 10 ft from the top to landing a SICK dyno, and topping out in about 8 seconds.

Turns out Dynos are 50% mental. hahahahaha

-Derek