Livetronica - Aug 16, 2011 4:11 pm - Hasn't voted
dog unfriendly?i am planning a trip for the summer of 2012 with my dog
i was thinking either snowmass or the sangres
i have never done any 14ers with my dog
any advice?
Sarah Simon - Aug 16, 2011 10:30 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: dog unfriendly?Hi Livetronica,
I'm not Jon, sorry to butt in, but I stumbled upon this post. A few considerations when choosing a Colorado peak to enjoy with your dog:
1. Be mindful of your dog's activity on routes with loose rock. Falling rock unleashed by your 4-legged climbing partner could injure another climber.
2. Bear in mind your dog's limits when it comes to scrambling and/or exposed terrain.
3. Don't overestimate your dog's endurance and, especially, your dog's paw-pads toughness on steep and rocky terrain.
Our personal rule of thumb for our dog pack is no 13ers or 14ers -- too rough on their wussy paw pads and such. Here's a pic of 4/5ths of our dawgpack (just added an 18 month old Rotti mix in need of a home to the picture - oy vay): http://www.summitpost.org/got-my-back/523663
Enjoy a wonderful trip in 2012!
Cheers,
Sarah
JonBradford - Aug 17, 2011 6:39 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: dog unfriendly?Livetronica,
I would be very careful about taking a dog up a fourteener or thirteener if they don't hike a lot. Mainly, because like Sarah Simon stated, their paws take a beating. So if you choose a route with scree and talus that you will go over in boots they will have to do it barefoot. I try and never let my dogs go more then two weeks without a hike to keep their feet conditioned. That said I have been hiking with dogs for ten years and can only think of a couple times I have turned around... and Snowmass was one of those times. Right before I took this photo both Sopris and I fell into a moat between the snow and rock and after hoisting Sopris out and then climbing out after her she was not happy. The Glissade down the snowfield made up for it however. If you hike with dogs always be ready to bail for the dogs sake. There are many many mountains in Colorado that are suitable for dogs in my opinion though. Please ask if you want any more information. I now have a 10 month old puppy named Watanga who I just took up his fourth thirteener this last weekend... he seems to love the mountains as much as Sopris (who is now 10 years old and still climbing like a champ).
Hope this helps.
Jon
Livetronica - Sep 5, 2011 4:12 pm - Hasn't voted
thanks Sara and Jonmy dog's an athletic american bulldog and i will just see how she does
she goes wild with delight in the white mountains of new hampshire but a huge wimp when it comes to the cold
i will probably just go into the sangres and hike around the big peaks instead of summiting them
skipping big summits will be worth her companionship if need be
there are still miles and miles of gorgeous trails out there
i have only done the crestone needle out there years ago and it just left a huge thirst for more
i am really looking forward to this trip and then maybe onto to burning man :)
jack
Comments
Post a Comment