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WARNING: BEES ON WEAVER'S NEEDLE, WEST CHIMNEY!

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Charles Vernon · · Colorado megalopolis · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 2,655

WARNING: BEES ON WEST CHIMNEY! (and now, a fixed rope)

In what was probably the scariest moment of my climbing "career" (and my life!), I encountered a massive, angry cloud of bees just below the notch on the West Chimney route yesterday evening. I was by myself, and soloing the route, but trailing a rope to haul up a pack of camping gear. I set up a sling anchor as fast as I could, fixed my rope, and rapped all the way to the base of the technical climbing. I wasn't able to discern whether there was a hive, or whether they were passing through, or something--I don't know a lot about bee habits. They were on the right side of the chimney and if there is a hive it seems that it would be on a ledge to the right of the route on that side, rather than right on the route, but still, heads-up.

Unfortunately the rope is still up there; I didn't have time to double it through the anchor, I wanted all 200' anyway, and I sure as hell wasn't going back up with those bees up there. The rope is an 8mm 60 meter about 12 years old and not worth much, I just use it for rapping and hauling anymore. However, the slings and locking biner on the anchor I left are still in good shape. I apologize for littering the mountain, though at the time it really seemed like the safest option. If you clean this up for me please keep the slings/biner for your trouble (the rope you can probably toss). I will try to get up there soon (with a partner and headnet!) to clean it but not sure when I will have the opportunity to do so. If someone does clean it, please let me know (as I said, I don't request or expect anything to be returned to me).

Andrew Carson · · Wilson, WY · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 1,520

Wow, sounds scary alright. Were you stung or did they leave you alone? If they didn't get after you, it is possible that they were literally 'swarming', normal bee activity. If it were a swarm, then they might well have moved on... they're looking for just the right home, which may be in the vicinity of where you encountered them, or a long ways away.
The next climbers can carefully assess what they find, and maybe give us all an update.

FrankPS · · Atascadero, CA · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 276

Charles,

I don't know the area, at all, but is there one main parking area/trailhead where a sign could be posted?

Charles Vernon · · Colorado megalopolis · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 2,655

Andrew, I wasn't stung, but what was scary was that this large cloud of bees was slowly but steadily moving down toward me from their apparent home base on some ledges to the right. The cloud seemed to become increasingly larger and more agitated, something that I maybe just imagined, but I definitely didn't imagine the direction they were moving. I thought of Steve Johnson and had a few moments where I thought that maybe I was gonna die if I didn't get out of there fast. The thought of becoming enveloped in that cloud, on a small ledge on a cliff all by myself an hour before sunset, was absolutely terrifying. I just don't know enough about bees to know if I overreacted or not.

Marcy, thanks for the offers--I think I'm going to buy my own headnet! In previous forum threads some people argued that a headnet would be useless because you wouldn't have time to put it on, but this seemed like exactly the sort of situation where it would have had life-saving potential. I'll be in touch about getting back up there, too.

Frank--yes, there is (the Peralta trailhead), and I didn't think to do that when I got out of there. If someone reads this and is at the Peralta trailhead, please post a note!

Greg Opland · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2001 · Points: 181

Glad you're ok Charles.

Someone with solid bee knowledge could answer for sure, but i think if you have a giant cloud of bees and they're not attacking, then it's likely a hive on the move to new digs (they can outgrow a location, I believe). We saw a swarm pass by over by The Hand last weekend. I wonder if spring is just the usual time when hives split or move to new locations, or if this is something else.

I once had a swarm pass right over me up near Fremont saddle.
Initially scary, then kind of surreal.
Survey says: pretty hefty population of bees in the Supes, so heads up.

SkyB · · PDX, OR · Joined May 2012 · Points: 0

Gee, I remember bees on the west chimney route almost 20 years ago. Still there,hmmm? The ones we ran into were up on the 4th class "scramble" pitch, if my aging, failing memory serves. They seemed pretty chill, though. Didn't bother anyone. Not like wasps, which are deliberately mean and love to attack and scare people.

Andrew Carson · · Wilson, WY · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 1,520

Charles, fully with you on the scary aspect, especially given your location. In fact, that huge a gathering of any insect in a technical setting would freak me out at least a little!
And yes, they were probably a classic swarm, which is how bees propagate. About half the hive up and leaves with the older queen, and go looking for a new home.
As wild a sight as it is, they have nothing to defend and have no interest in losing their life by stinging you. Still, I'd want 'outta there' asap, too. Glad it didn't turn into a disaster.

jacob m s · · Provo, Utah · Joined Apr 2011 · Points: 135

It could be a swarm of bees, a little early in the year, but not unheard of. If it was a swarm of honey bees they will be gone and it will be easy to get your gear back. also just a head net won't do much to protect you, its more about the number of stings that matter and not where they sting you. Good luck

Geir www.ToofastTopos.com · · Tucson/DMR · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 2,751

Glad you are OK Charles!

Perhaps borrowing lightweight bee suits would be the safest option when it comes time to get your gear back.

Thanks for the warning!

Scott M. McNamara · · Presidio San Augustine Del… · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 55

Really glad you are OK!

Sounds like you did the smart thing.

Scott Mc

http://www.mountainproject.com/v/weavers-needle/105931022

Greg Opland · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2001 · Points: 181
jacob m s wrote:It could be a swarm of bees, a little early in the year, but not unheard of.
It's warmer than normal for this time of year if that makes a difference.
By like 9 degrees or something like that.
jacob m s · · Provo, Utah · Joined Apr 2011 · Points: 135

It could, swarms are related to colony growth, and in the spring they start rebuilding the hives numbers. So they could have started growing early because of the warm weather, and with plenty of food they could have grown extra fast.

The nice thing about swarms is that they are completely calm. I have walked around and worked with swarms with just shorts and a t-shirt. As long as they don't get stuck in your hair or under your clothes they won't sting you. They are just looking for a new home, so as long as its not a variety of cliff dwelling bee it should be clear now.

FrankPS · · Atascadero, CA · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 276
jacob m s wrote: They are just looking for a new home, so as long as its not a variety of cliff dwelling bee it should be clear now.
Yeah, but who wants to go back to verify it's all clear, knowing this story? Some unsuspecting soul will.
Charles Vernon · · Colorado megalopolis · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 2,655
jacob m s wrote:The nice thing about swarms is that they are completely calm.
Is that true of Africanized colonies as well?
Steven Groetken · · Durango, CO · Joined Sep 2012 · Points: 390

Good good call on bailing the route. Bees are not something to mess around with. MP user Robbie Mackley has a pretty intense picture of what happened to him at the hairpin on a route that I think Steve Johnson set. He probably shouldn't be alive as well. I wish you the best in getting the gear back, but to whoever decides to clean it, I hope I don't have to read another article in climbing about it. Please exercise caution.

jacob m s · · Provo, Utah · Joined Apr 2011 · Points: 135

I don't know how calm Africanized bees are when swarming, I'm to far north to ever deal with them. I would guess still very calm, but I honestly don't know.

I would still advise caution when going to get the gear. Bees or wasps on a cliff face is really not something I ever want to deal with.

W. Mart · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 5
Robbie Mackley · · Tucson, AZ · Joined May 2010 · Points: 85

Charles,
I'm glad to hear that you made it out of there safely ANSI don't think that retreating from a potentially fatal situation could ever be considered over reacting. Good on you for keeping it together and getting the F- outta there quickly. I know how terrifying that is.
People keep saying head nets won't help, however they'd probably be singing, or more likely screaming, a different song when those angry little bastards are crawling up their nose and out their mouths. Just my $.02.
-Mackley

Geir www.ToofastTopos.com · · Tucson/DMR · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 2,751

^^^^^^^^^^^ A couple of years ago, at Robbie's suggestion, I put two head nets and a pair of belay gloves in my climbing pack. They are compact, light, and easy to keep around. I hope I never have to use them.

Steven Groetken · · Durango, CO · Joined Sep 2012 · Points: 390

Do you still have that picture Robbie?

Robbie Mackley · · Tucson, AZ · Joined May 2010 · Points: 85
More than 1500 stings later.
Here ya go Steve.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Arizona & New Mexico
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