[pct-l] RE: pct-l Digest, Vol 18, Issue 15

[jcartne at hotmail.com (Jacob Cartner)]

Im interested in this post about dogs, as we recently just finished a 
thru-hike of the AT.  When we returned home, we got a black and tan 
coonhound who loves the outdoors.  He goes hiking and backpacking with us on 
weekend trips and seems to love it.  We have been playing with the idea of 
hiking the PCT, or perhaps another long distance trail (PNT or others) 
within the next 2 years.  We want to take our dog with us, but realize that 
it is a great responsibility.  I know most people out there are opposed to 
hiking with a dog, especially over long distances, especially on the PCT.  
But nonetheless, I would like to hear everyone's thoughts.  I know this has 
been a topic many times in the past, but new insight is appreciated.

In addition to this, what are the major concerns for hiking the PCT with a 
dog?  What national forests/parks are they prohibited, etc.?  I have seen a 
list of forests/parks that the trail goes through and it is an extensive 
list.  Instead of going to each nps website one by one, does anyone have 
experience with this?  What other considerations should be given to hiking 
with a dog, other than the obvious of how it interacts with other hikers?  
Thanks for your help.



>From: pct-l-request@mailman.backcountry.net
>Reply-To: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
>To: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
>Subject: pct-l Digest, Vol 18, Issue 15
>Date: Wed, 13 Oct 2004 12:02:41 -0500 (CDT)
>
>Send pct-l mailing list submissions to
>	pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
>
>To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>	http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>	pct-l-request@mailman.backcountry.net
>
>You can reach the person managing the list at
>	pct-l-owner@mailman.backcountry.net
>
>When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>than "Re: Contents of pct-l digest..."
>
>
>Today's Topics:
>
>    1. Re: Re:dogs on the trail (Jeffrey J. Olson)
>    2. Personal experience with dogs (Tidal Wave)
>
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Message: 1
>Date: Wed, 13 Oct 2004 10:11:12 -0600
>From: "Jeffrey J. Olson" <jjolson@uwyo.edu>
>Subject: Re: [pct-l] Re:dogs on the trail
>Cc: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
>Message-ID: <004301c4b13f$420de780$3f33050a@uwyo.edu>
>Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="iso-8859-1"
>
>I went hiking for seven days with my brother-in-law along the Highline 
>Trail
>in the Winds a couple years ago.  He insisted on bringing his year old
>yellow lab along.  The dog is sweet, playful, constantly moving and really
>fun to walk with.  He is a never ending source of entertainment.
>
>The only problem is that my brother-in-law's ongoing rebellion against his
>parents (he's 53) has him believe that by training his 90 pound dog to 
>heel,
>to come when called, to obey, is somehow contrary to the whole spirit of
>being an enlightened dog owner.
>
>Whenever we met someone on the trail the dog felt protective, would raise
>his hackles, bark menacingly, and back up as the hikers came closer.  The
>dog is a chicken, and it was all show.  But the hikers didn't know that.
>When my brother in law was fishing, and the dog was with me, it wouldn't
>obey.  It was incredibly embarrassing to grab the dog by the collar and 
>drag
>him away from the trail, while he's still barking and snarling.
>
>I refuse to hike with the dog now.  Unless a dog is on a tight verbal 
>leash,
>I don't believe it should be in the wilderness.  it's not the dog's fault,
>but the owner's...
>
>Jeff Olson
>Laramie WY
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 2
>Date: Wed, 13 Oct 2004 11:36:18 -0500 (CDT)
>From: Tidal Wave <tidalwavela@yahoo.com>
>Subject: [pct-l] Personal experience with dogs
>To: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
>Message-ID: <20041013163618.67238.qmail@web41728.mail.yahoo.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
>Just wanted to add a little to the dog question from a personal 
>perspective.  I had a terrible experience with the dogs on the PCT trail.  
>One dog injured herself and we were stuck.  We were miles from nowhere and 
>we couldn't move.  Nobody passed us and there was nothing I could do but 
>leave the dog alone while I went to get help.  It was terrible knowing that 
>the dog could not defend herself should she be approached by coyotes or 
>bears. I was able to get help and via a stretcher we rescued the dog.  
>Carrying a 100 lb dog was a exhausting. It ruined the hike and still gives 
>me nightmares.
>Except for short day hikes, I will never take my dogs again on such a long 
>and arduous hike.  Although I have more fun and enjoy hiking more when I am 
>with my dogs, I have concluded that the danger is just too much.
>Kizobear
>
>
>
>---------------------------------
>Do You Yahoo!?
>Todo lo que quieres saber de Estados Unidos, América Latina y el resto del 
>Mundo.
>Visíta Yahoo! Noticias.
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>_______________________________________________
>pct-l mailing list
>pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
>http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>unsubscribe or change options:
>http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/options/pct-l
>
>
>
>End of pct-l Digest, Vol 18, Issue 15
>*************************************

_________________________________________________________________
On the road to retirement? Check out MSN Life Events for advice on how to 
get there! http://lifeevents.msn.com/category.aspx?cid=Retirement