Where have people had trouble with marmots/porcupines?
Forum rules
- This is a mountaineering forum, so please keep your posts on-topic. Posts do not all have to be related to the 14ers but should at least be mountaineering-related.
- Personal attacks and confrontational behavior will result in removal from the forum at the discretion of the administrators.
- Do not use this forum to advertise, sell photos or other products or promote a commercial website.
- Posts will be removed at the discretion of the site administrator or moderator(s), including: Troll posts, posts pushing political views or religious beliefs, and posts with the purpose of instigating conflict within the forum.
- Cool Hand Luke
- Posts: 189
- Joined: 3/14/2011
- 14ers: 58 1 5
- 13ers: 105
- Trip Reports (6)
Re: Where have people had trouble with marmots/porcupines?
I had trouble at Navajo Lakes TH for the Wilsons, a marmot crawled behind my tire while I was 10 ft away from the car. Please do not use mothballs at the Navajo Lakes TH, as it is extremely close to the West Delores River and would drain directly into it.
The marmots were also really bad at Navajo Lake and near the ROA Saddle; they ate a pair of shoes and all my food stashed in the mine cart near the saddle. They even hopped on my bivy sack around dusk; this was early May so my gear may have been one of the first meals of the season. I would strongly recommend using a bear bag and suspending anything they may chew when you leave camp.
The marmots were also really bad at Navajo Lake and near the ROA Saddle; they ate a pair of shoes and all my food stashed in the mine cart near the saddle. They even hopped on my bivy sack around dusk; this was early May so my gear may have been one of the first meals of the season. I would strongly recommend using a bear bag and suspending anything they may chew when you leave camp.
- EZSide
- Posts: 113
- Joined: 3/26/2010
- 14ers: 11
- 13ers: 2
- Trip Reports (7)
- Contact:
Re: Where have people had trouble with marmots/porcupines?
My brother and I speculated that the wires are appealing because they are rodents and a copper wire may leave a sensation on their teeth (bite a piece of copper wire sometime) - perhaps they even get the DC 12v sensation, or perhaps they just can't tell the difference between wires and hoses and they like the taste of antifreeze (sweet) but toxic in a large enough amount. The soy protein sounds like BS to me.DArcyS wrote:Does anybody know if the porcupines and marmots go after the same thing on the cars?
I had a porcupine chew on my car, but I heard it because it sounded like he was going after some metal.
Marmots seem to go after wires because, as I've heard, the wires are made out of soy protein. Really? Is that true?
In the end it doesn't matter why. Rodents chew (I'm assuming like many rodents their teeth don't stop growing) and if they chew on your car you've got trouble.
I heard a rumor that if you block your hood open a little to let in light they are less likely to think its a cozy place to take up residence. I may try that sometime. Be sure to tie it down however to keep unexpected wind from doing damage ...
"There are times when the most complicated actions are suddenly summed up, distilled, and strike you with illuminating clarity" - Maurice Herzog
- JeffR
- Posts: 774
- Joined: 8/15/2005
- 14ers: 31
- 13ers: 175
- Trip Reports (13)
Re: Where have people had trouble with marmots/porcupines?
To recognize the beauty in sadness, without playing host to the pain...
- Under the Sun, "Reflections"
- Under the Sun, "Reflections"
Re: Where have people had trouble with marmots/porcupines?
my setup - a bit shorter chicken wire, used rebar all along the bottom and stuck in the holes to hold it down (3-4 ft rods), and some gardening stakes - the ones with the hoops on the end, using rocks to hold down the hoops. I also put out the rodent repellent all around the edge of this. I think you need both as a deterrent.
-
- Posts: 169
- Joined: 4/12/2011
- Trip Reports (0)
Re: Where have people had trouble with marmots/porcupines?
35's and a 3.5" OME lift!
I've done the same with chicken wire. Never had any success with coyote urine...
I've done the same with chicken wire. Never had any success with coyote urine...
- flintster
- Posts: 93
- Joined: 8/10/2009
- 14ers: 45
- 13ers: 23
- Trip Reports (0)
Re: Where have people had trouble with marmots/porcupines?
Yes, my 4Runner got chewed last year and the Toyota dealership said that the hoses/wires are coated in a soy based material. Well, at least the emission system related hoses that I found were damaged they said that about.DArcyS wrote:Marmots seem to go after wires because, as I've heard, the wires are made out of soy protein. Really? Is that true?
- GregMiller
- Posts: 1001
- Joined: 6/16/2011
- 14ers: 37 4 1
- 13ers: 30
- Trip Reports (5)
Re: Where have people had trouble with marmots/porcupines?
We got harassed by porcupines three times on Saturday night at Snowmass Lake, trying to get into our packs/tents. Loud noises and headlamps drove them off temporarily. They did leave behind some quills on the ground, so be careful walking around barefoot up there. Didn't see any trouble with the car when we got back to the TH.
Still Here
been scared and battered. My hopes the wind done scattered. Snow has friz me, Sun has baked me,
Looks like between 'em they done Tried to make me
Stop laughin', stop lovin', stop livin'-- But I don't care! I'm still here!
Langston Hughes
been scared and battered. My hopes the wind done scattered. Snow has friz me, Sun has baked me,
Looks like between 'em they done Tried to make me
Stop laughin', stop lovin', stop livin'-- But I don't care! I'm still here!
Langston Hughes
-
- Posts: 3535
- Joined: 6/17/2009
- 14ers: 34
- 13ers: 12
- Trip Reports (3)
Re: Where have people had trouble with marmots/porcupines?
Mineral King trailhead, California
Re: Where have people had trouble with marmots/porcupines?
Nice setups on those vehicles. I keep going back and forth between "I've never seen other vehicles wrapped in wire, so don't bother" and "All it takes is once and you're absolutely screwed". I'll probably suck it up and make it happen -- it will at least give me piece of mind while on the trails.
Thanks for all the info, peeps!
Thanks for all the info, peeps!
Re: Where have people had trouble with marmots/porcupines?
DArcyS wrote:
Marmots seem to go after wires because, as I've heard, the wires are made out of soy protein. Really? Is that true?
The plastic around the wire could have soy as part of the ingredients.
After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. -Nelson Mandela
Whenever I climb I am followed by a dog called Ego. -Nietzsche
Whenever I climb I am followed by a dog called Ego. -Nietzsche
Re: Where have people had trouble with marmots/porcupines?
I've heard it's the salt residue from winter driving that they are attracted to. When they wake up from hibernation they have a sodium deficiency so anything with salt on it tastes yummy. This is also why they are worse earlier in the summer.
• It's by getting away from life that we can see it most clearly... It's by depriving ourselves of the myriad of everyday experiences that we renew our appreciation for them...I've learned from my experiences in the mountains that I love life. — Dave Johnston
• Mountains are not climbed merely to reach a geographical location — but as personal and spiritual challenges to the participants. — David Stein
• Mountains are not climbed merely to reach a geographical location — but as personal and spiritual challenges to the participants. — David Stein
-
- Posts: 17
- Joined: 1/20/2014
- Trip Reports (0)
Re: Where have people had trouble with marmots/porcupines?
Sonab*tch! I'm heading up to the Mt Yale area in July. My plan is to leave my rental car parked near a TH for the week while I do basically a "loop trip".
Didn't think to worry about critters chewing up the car.
Can anyone verify if the urine sprays or critter repellants from Home Depot work?
Didn't think to worry about critters chewing up the car.
Can anyone verify if the urine sprays or critter repellants from Home Depot work?