Gunks Temporary Hazard Report, 7/23/2020

We’re going to try to provide some regular posts of hazards reported at the Gunks – the temporary kinds, like wasps nests and snake spottings. We all already know about the constant threat from ticks, chiggers, and other biting insects, as well as people throwing their rap ropes down on you instead of waiting or lowering them. Hoping that these warnings can help you decide which climbs you may want to avoid for a bit. Thanks to everyone who submitted reports!

1. Trapps: Sixish – Wasps/Hornets – 7/16/2020
   • There was a wasp nest inside a crack on the second pitch. They are not aggressive and you climb around it but look before putting you hand in. There is vertical crack about 3/4 of the way up the 2nd pitch that is divided by a grass plug. It is in the top part.
2. Trapps: Northern Pillar – Wasps/Hornets – 7/18/2020
   • Hornet’s nest on 2nd pitch, behind a jug, next to piton
3. Trapps: Beginners Delight – Wasps/Hornets – 7/19/2020
   • Top of pitch 2 at the far left of the traverse almost to the right facing corner and below a sapling there is a jug on a flake that has a small hornets nest behind it.
4. Trapps: Madame G’s – Wasps/Hornets – 7/11/2020
   • On the 2nd pitch, went right to avoid them, party before us got stung
5. Trapps: CCK – Snake – 7/11 and 7/12/2020 (2 reports)
   • Copperhead in the approach stairs just before the base of the climb.
   • Copperhead seen at very top of CCK trail
6. Trapps: Middle Earth Approach Trail – 6/28/2020
   • Copperhead on Middle Earth approach trail, on stone steps, halfway up
7. Trapps: Casa Emillio – Snake – 7/4/2020
   • Copperhead top of pitch one
8. Trapps: Red Pillar – Snake – 7/12/2020
   • Snake before the roof

If you have a hazard to report, please use the form here: https://bit.ly/gunkshazardform.

This is a public service for the Gunks climbing community. Please do not spam it with jokes and bogus entries, those of us monitoring this have better things to do than delete multiple bogus comments a day. If there is too much abuse, we’ll have to shut it down.

Want to see the entries that have been posted recently? See the responses in https://bit.ly/gunkshazardsheet.

Have fun and be safe out there!

Copperhead found along the Near Trapps trail near Gelsa a few years ago.