[pct-l] Siberian Husky on PCT

[Jackie McDonnell]

*What we have going against us:* is that you say "I want it badly."
YOU want it.  That is what you have going against you.

The GREAT thing about thru-hiking with a dog is that it can carry your gun,
your bear canister, and your water through the desert.

But even better --- the dog is perfectly capable of letting you know when
it is too tired to walk any farther, when it needs to stop and tank up on
water, and when it needs to take a zero day.

Since your dog speaks English, it can tell you when its paws are sore from
walking mile after mile after mile on the hot desert sand in California or
on the sharp lava rock in Oregon.

Your dog has put a lot of thought into this thru-hike.  It won't be
all-of-a-sudden thrown into walking 20+miles a day, because it has trained
and is mentally and physically prepared for a thru-hike.  Best of all, it
certainly will tell you when it wants to stop.  It will NOT follow you
loyally day after day after day, until it is physically wiped out and its
paws are raw.  No, no, no, that won't happen to YOUR dog.  YOUR dog is
prepared for this.  YOU wouldn't do anything to harm your dog.

Live long and prosper.

Yogi
www.pcthandbook.com


On Mon, May 20, 2013 at 8:53 AM, Oz <trailtickles at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi all!
>
> I was hoping I could get your opinions about dogs on the PCT. I've read
> some articles that pumped me up and had me quite excited about a shot in
> 2014 and then there were others that said it was down right abuse for the
> dog. So I thought I'd share my situation and hopefully be able to get some
> constructive opinions. I'm aware that not all dogs are equal....
>
> I 'm 25 going on 37 years old :P and I first decided I was going to do a
> long trail about 3 years ago while backpacking the Trans Canada Trail
> across Newfoundland. So I decided on the AT or PCT 2 years ago and have
> been following the lists daily to pick up any tips and advice I could
> (You're awesome for sharing your experiences thank you) At that time I
> decided I wanted a trail companion and purchased a 12 week old Siberian
> Husky and named him Juno after the beach on DDAY. What a dream come true,
> he's the perfect trail dog. He's now 6mths and just starting to carry his
> palisades pack empty.
>
> I understand fully that the PCT poses the most trouble both physically and
> logistically for a dog... but I want it badly and if I can find that it's
> possible, I'll invest all I can so that Juno is well cared for and moved
> ahead for me when I clear parks with no dog rules. (I'm not interested in
> breaking any laws)
>
>
> *What we have going for us: :)*
>
> At 6mths he's spent more time out in the bush than all dogs I know combined
> (at least 20 nights – both winter and summer)
>
> I can clear 25-25km per day and he's still pulling
>
> Despite what people think, huskies thrive in heat as long as their not
> shaved
>
> They have been known to handle -70 degrees F.
>
> They travel far and can run 100 miles in a day
>
> He doesn't bark or howl (although I wish he'd howl sometimes)
>
> Hike in the 90's F with a crap load of humidity
>
> The most important thing we have going for us is our routines while hiking.
> We have been working flawlessly when it comes to rest, water, food. It may
> seem silly but he seems to tell when I've hit my mid afternoon wall and
> will slow his pace for me.
>
> My vet laughed at me when I asked if he'd be able to do 20 miles up and
> down for consecutive days and replied simply “he's bred for much harder
> work, if you train with him it will not be a problem”
>
> *What we have going against us:*
>
> National parks that don't allow dogs.
>
> Some places we may not be welcome
>
> We're both inexperienced with desert hiking and altitudes above 4000ft.
>
> He's only experienced 5 days worth of (Hike, Eat, Sleep) at a time not 90
> days.
>
> The unknowns.......
>
>
> After the last couple of years, my budget has at my delight grown
> significantly making a 2014 push more and more feasible for me. I want Juno
> to accompany me if I can make sense of it. Juno has been a trail dog since
> he was born. My hopes is that by the time he's a year and a half, he'll
> have the experience and stamina to face the challenges of the PCT.
>
> I'm asking because I love my dog, not because I'm searching for an excuse
> to challenge him with the PCT.
>
>
> Thanks again for all the wonderful advice!
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