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How are the black flies at Cannon?

Original Post
Rich Brereton · · Pownal, ME · Joined May 2009 · Points: 175

Anyone been to Cannon or thereabouts this week? How are the BFs? Hoping to climb up there on Saturday.

jdejace · · New England · Joined Sep 2013 · Points: 5

They followed me most of the way up the W-G last weekend.

Tim Stich · · Colorado Springs, Colorado · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 1,520

They are delicious with garlic.

Steven James · · Portland, Maine · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 100

I was there yesterday. Literally no bugs. Wish I had brought sunscreen though! It even rained for the last two thirds of the climb and the walk-off. Still no bugs. We climbed Whitney-Gilman.

Nick Goldsmith · · Pomfret VT · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 440

The absolute worst black fly experience for me ever was june 6th many years ago on vertigo. and I have spent 51years in the north east.

Steven James · · Portland, Maine · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 100

With that being said, my second was unable to clean a basically brand new yellow x4 in a crack about 2/3s of the way up. I had built an anchor in a sort of unusual spot, but it was raining, and the right facing corner gave some shelter from the rain. (Also, I didn't know about the obvious cordellette anchor 30' past where I was when I made that decision. If you happen to retrieve it, it would be pretty cool if you'd return it. I also understand if you keep it and wouldn't hold it against you, or anyone else for that matter.

Paul Ross · · Keswick, Cumbria · Joined Apr 2001 · Points: 22,236

I climbed for many years day in day out on Cannon / Catheral etc . Black flys were no problem (as far as biting)as long as you covered ALL skin with the strongest fly dope.Remembering that the reason it works is they do not like to stand in DEET. Fly dope with no Deet is worthless.Some days there are no bugs the next can be different ... often depends on hatching /weather.

Steven James · · Portland, Maine · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 100

I mean, I used a quick spray of bug spray on just my ankles when I left the car, didn't see blackfies/mosquitos all day. Maybe it was a fluke? Sounds like other people have had bad experiences with bugs, and it was my first time.

It was great though and I'm excited to go back, (on Sunday.)

Eric G. · · Saratoga Springs, NY · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 70
Nick Goldsmith wrote:The absolute worst black fly experience for me ever was june 6th many years ago on vertigo. and I have spent 51years in the north east.
Same here Nick. Same route, same month, maybe three years ago. My neck was swollen to twice the size, I certainly had some sort of allergic reaction, shirt covered in blood.

I was the only member of our group of three that didn't use deet ("I'm sure the black flies won't follow us up there!").

Black flies will follow you up to the top of cannon.
Rich Brereton · · Pownal, ME · Joined May 2009 · Points: 175

Thanks for all the replies. I have heard similar stories like Nick's and Eric's where they are so thick and bloodthirsty that they leave people covered in blood and puffy with some kind of allergic reaction. Other days within the same week, you may see not a one. Seems like it's all about when and where they hatch, how hot or cool it is on a given day, and how strong the breeze is. Feeling pretty good about this weekend though, Steven is the second person to tell me they saw zero bugs at Cannon this week.

Jim Corbett · · Keene, NY · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 10

From all accounts and my own experience thus far it has been a very mild BF season; much better than the last couple of years when we had to put up with little bastards pretty much all summer. Guess the harsh winter did its job.
BTW, it's raining and is supposed to keep doing so right into tomorrow. Cannon will be wet, but if you can wait Sun. should be pretty primo.

Nick Goldsmith · · Pomfret VT · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 440

I feel that the bug seasson this year has been pretty mellow. we will see what this rain did?

john strand · · southern colo · Joined May 2008 · Points: 1,640

Ben's DEET, 100%...none of this pansy-ass 30% crap.

They will be out

Steven James · · Portland, Maine · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 100

Went back again today (Sunday) with a different group of friends. Had another bug free day and retrieved the yellow x4 I mentioned. Started Whitney gilman and it was wet and in misty cloud/fog. It cleared up half way through the third pitch. And an incredible wind dried everything.

Maybe the wind was strong enough to keep the bfs away? Id hate to honestly say I had two bug free days and then have them get worse. :X.

With that being said, more importantly, there were considerably less spiders on route today! *phew* I wish you well in your cannon climbing!

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northeastern States
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