[pct-l] Thru hiking with dog

[Ken Powers]

We met Trauma and Yoni early on the AT in 2003. Yoni was a mere pup at the 
time and both Trauma and Yoni were struggling. We saw them later in Maine 
and they were awesome hikers. We met them again in 2005 in Colorado. Yoni 
was now a BIG dog. She did hike the Triple Crown with Trauma. I like to note 
that each of their Triple Crown hikes was extended - IAT extended the AT, 
GDT extended the CDT, and after the PCT they hiked the PNT.

Just because Yoni did something don't expect your dog to do it. She grew up 
on long trails.

Ken
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <mkwart at gci.net>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>; <blackbelthiker at gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, December 11, 2011 12:49 PM
Subject: [pct-l] Thru hiking with dog


Mark:

I just read  an article in issue 9 of Backpacking Light magazine that
highlighted Justin Lichter's (aka Trauma) hike on the extended
Appalachian trail with his dog Yoni. A quote from the article: "Yoni, by
the way, is a five year old sixty pound mixed breed--half St. Bernard
and half border collie. She might be described either as an energetic
(and compact version) of a large breed, or a mellow herder. She lives
for snow, enjoys cold temperatures, and eats puppy chow on the trail.
Thanks to some saddle bags, she can carry 4-5 days of food if needed."

Sounds like this dog is perfect for the trail conditions that Justin
encountered--he has also done the triple crown, but I don't know if she
went along. He also hikes 30 miles a day, which would make getting to
dog food re-supplies easier, if your dog could carry 4-5 days of food.
If you did low mileage it would be harder.

Dogs are like people--they need to train for thru hiking and be
temperamentally suited. The problem comes from people assuming that
because their dog is an animal they will be able to do the trail
naturally. This isn't true for people and isn't true for dogs. I hiked
with a cattle dog mix and she was great--had incredible stamina,
tolerated both hot and cold conditions and could carry some of her
food--I helped her in that regard.

Good Luck,

Fireweed
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