RnrdTheFox
Full Member
This weekend, I drove down to Ouray, CO to hike Mt Sneffles, about 7 hrs from Boulder. The upper TH where I parked is about 11,700' and 8 miles from Ouray. On my way down to the truck later that morning, I noticed a couple of Marmots jumping out from under my truck.
Marmots are known around here for eating break lines and doing other damage. I quickly checked my rear hoses as they are the only ones that are rubber. All of my other high pressure lines are braided SS.
About a mile down the trail, I noticed steam coming out of the hood and I could smell antifreeze. I checked the guage and it was just starting to get warm. Bad sign. Upon pulling over, the engine was rather hot and coolent was spraying everywhere.
Long story short, they decided to have a feast on my heater hoses. To get back to the nearest town, I wrapped them with electrical tape and made it to Montrose. I bought some plug bolts, clamps, heater hose just incase the tape failed on the long trip back. It held until Monarch Pass where I was climbing to ~11,000'. So, I pulled over, pluged the hoses and made it home a few hours later.
From what I understand, the antifreezed doesn't kill the Marmots, and they are atracted by the sweet taste. Many people put chicken wire around their vehicles when they are gone for an extended period of time at the higher elevations where the Marmots live. I'm going to try preditor urine I think.
Rememer, electrical tape is a multipurpose tool!
Marmots are known around here for eating break lines and doing other damage. I quickly checked my rear hoses as they are the only ones that are rubber. All of my other high pressure lines are braided SS.
About a mile down the trail, I noticed steam coming out of the hood and I could smell antifreeze. I checked the guage and it was just starting to get warm. Bad sign. Upon pulling over, the engine was rather hot and coolent was spraying everywhere.
Long story short, they decided to have a feast on my heater hoses. To get back to the nearest town, I wrapped them with electrical tape and made it to Montrose. I bought some plug bolts, clamps, heater hose just incase the tape failed on the long trip back. It held until Monarch Pass where I was climbing to ~11,000'. So, I pulled over, pluged the hoses and made it home a few hours later.
From what I understand, the antifreezed doesn't kill the Marmots, and they are atracted by the sweet taste. Many people put chicken wire around their vehicles when they are gone for an extended period of time at the higher elevations where the Marmots live. I'm going to try preditor urine I think.
Rememer, electrical tape is a multipurpose tool!
