I’m thinking of hiking the LT again, NOBO this time. I’ve got a dog thats done very well backpacking, but never more than 4 days. She runs 5 miles several days a week. I’m tempted to try to take her with me if I go. Anyone have any advice or experiences good or bad?
pedxing
My dogs go on just about all of my trips. I can’t imagine going back to backpacking without them. You’ll want to make sure he/she is physically up for the challenge and keep a close eye on him/her during the hike. Dogs will overextend themselves to keep up with their owners. You know your dog better than we do, so if you think they are up for it, I’d say go for it. Good luck on your hike and keep us posted on your progress.
Phreak
I took my dog with me as far as Jonesville. This means he went over camel’s hump, but not Mansfield. He was fine and the only reason I sent him home was that everyone was talking about how bad the ladders were and how there was no way a dog could do it. We did have a few ladders to deal with before I sent him home, but he is pretty crafty. On the bigger ones (you’ll see) I was glad he only weighs about 50lbs, because I had to hand him down to my friend a couple times.
Ultimately, he probably would have been fine, or we would’ve found an alternate route (bushwhack, summit bypass trail, etc) and I wish I’d kept him in part, but then again, the day after we sent him home we got within 15 feet of a fairly substantial moose. I know my dog would have alerted him long before we got close, so it goes both ways.
I am planning a SOBO AT thruhike this summer/fall and I expect to bring him on about 1/2 of the trail, sending him home in parks, bear areas, and possibly in PA depending on how his pads do with the rocks.
I love having my dog with me, and especially since I’ll be hiking solo he’s good company. He’s like a mountain goat, and it makes me laugh when my mom or sister worries about him being out in an environment he is designed for. Nevertheless, keep in mind (as I’m sure you know) that a dog will follow its master pretty much anywhere, so just make sure she’s doing okay. I checked my dog’s pads and nails for damage every night on the LT because I remember him leaving blood spots on MT Washington when he broke a nail on a day-hike a couple years ago but kept on trucking anyways.
Oh yeah, and I bring along a few pouches of wet food to mix in for added calories or to get him to eat if he won’t eat just the dry stuff for whatever reason. My dog started the LT a little chunky, but after 2 weeks and 200 miles, he’d already slimmed down a bit. That was another reason for sending him home, too. I didn’t know if it was healthy for him to lose weight that quick.
Sorry to go on so long. Basically, the southern half won’t be a problem for most dogs, and if you’re willing to improvise a little, I’m sure a healthy, nimble dog could make it up Mansfield okay, or you could follow the rules and go around the peak. Either way, I think that we worry about our dogs a lot more than we need to at times. just get her used to wearing a pack and when its low on her food she can carry your trash. But sometimes it is wildlife sightings VS companionship.
god I ramble.
Doyle
I appreciate your various thoughts. Sadly I had bad luck seeing wild life solo hiking the LT. The only moose I saw was on the road during my ride to Journey’s Eend - so I couldn’t do much worse with my dog (in fact, I had my best moose siting - moose w/calf while backpacking with my previous trail dog).
I had much better luck on the Northville-Placid trail.
pedxing
I just thought of another issue. Did either of you, or anyone else, do a resupply hitch with a dog?
pedxing
can anyone point me to trail journals of AT thru-hikers with dogs? I’m thinking of doing like Doyle is planning but the complicate logistics of bringing along a dog is daunting.
A few things I wouldn’t know how to handle…
…Shuttles into town for resupplying.
…Getting my canine buddy around areas where dogs aren’t allowed.
…dealing with a dog when I want an occasional resterant meal.
… or hotel/hostel overnight.
How do folks hiking with a dog manage those things?
leaps
I have definitely had to hitch with the dog, and sometimes it hurts, but sometimes you’ll get a ride from a sympathetic dog lover that wouldn’t have stopped otherwise. The folks at the whistle stop near Clarendon Gorge and the guy at the Ben&Jerry’s stand in Manchester both gave my dog a bunch of water and a shady spot to relax.
Its definitely an extra responsibility, but things always work out on the trail it seems. have fun.
Doyle