Awesome snake pic's, have not seen a rattler since I was a kid in the prairies. My dad and I saw one get run over by a rig, it was still moving a little and he knocked its head off with a shovel and cut off the rattle for me Cool trophy for an 8 year old!
Instead of dumbell(s?) I put 2 milk jugs full of water on dayhikes in my pack to keep in shape for backpacking a couple times a month.
That way I have extra water if needed. If it is too hot and I don't feel as masochistic(or roll an ankle....) I can just pour it out instead of abandoning steel on the trail.(found a hammer and cast iron pan stashed on the brutal pierce lake trail, took them on the way down)
It's safer and I have dolled out water to idiots and their poor dogs on the Diez Vista trail(and others). There is a sign that states only fit and prepared people should attempt. Who attempts a 6 to 8 hour return in summer with one litre of water and none for the dog!! There is 8 viewpoints on the ridge and you pay for them with switchbacks and rough trail.
This puts the pack to about 35 pounds, it is the only way I know to really stay in hiking shape. On trips my pack is about 50lbs+ because of fishing gear and trail boat.
regards
