Wasps (?) at Sugarloaf - Should I Be Scared?

The things looked almost like wasps, but the eyes looked a little different, and the abdomen stripes seemed to be more white & black striped. My climbing partner thought he saw stingers on them.

We were just about to start up TM when we noticed them buzzing around, flying out of the crack/corner. After a few minutes there were sveral dozen buzzing about the North Summit rock. Our presence seemed to be attracting more of them. Rather than risk them swarming my friend midway through the 5.10a squeeze, we bailed on the pitch and climbed a different way to the summit.

That sucked, but we wanted to play it safe. Was that a good decision? Or were these things harmless? It would be nice to know for next time.

We were at the Leap all day yesterday and these things were everywhere on the rock. They didn't seem to notice us or bother us too much though, so that is a plus.

It's seasonal at the loaf. Tread lightly in the cracks. Haven't heard of anyone getting stung. If it happens you'll hear about it - no such thing as one wasp sting, unless you got somewhere to run, fast.

Mark P Thomas wrote:The things looked almost like wasps, but the eyes looked a little different, and the abdomen stripes seemed to be more white & black striped. My climbing partner thought he saw stingers on them. We were just about to start up TM when we noticed them buzzing around, flying out of the crack/corner. After a few minutes there were sveral dozen buzzing about the North Summit rock. Our presence seemed to be attracting more of them. Rather than risk them swarming my friend midway through the 5.10a squeeze, we bailed on the pitch and climbed a different way to the summit. That sucked, but we wanted to play it safe. Was that a good decision? Or were these things harmless? It would be nice to know for next time.

Ran the pics by my partner. It looks like those were what we saw. Yikes!

Hi, see my post about the yellowjackets in Yosemite in Oct.

They are out everywhere--some say leter than ever due to that global warming that doesn't exist for some people.

This summer I came across a brand new nut 3 pitches up in a climb. When I giggled the nut it became apparent why. I hate bugs when I'm climbing. Mulkey Gulch, Montana in August is the worst place to be on earth bug wise!