Episode 97 | Backpacking with Dogs

I carry Stella and Chewy’s raw freeze dried dinner patties as a treat and for extra protein. They can be a little expensive to use for meals as are the high protein dog foods. I switch back and forth. I mix it up at home so there’s no change on the trail.
My dogs don’t want to go very far. They’ll go a few miles. Really fast if I let them. Then they need a good break.
I found the Ruffwear pack ill fitting and it was too hot. I bought a Saker which I haven’t used yet. A bit heavier, but well built and looks like it will breath better. I can remove the bags and carry them. I can attach the harness to a rescue sling, though she’d be hard to carry by myself.
I carry all the food. It goes in the Ursack anyway. Less chance of it getting wet. I just keep a few things I want handy.
I carry long nose pliers around cactus. The dogs will step on it, then they try to bite at it. I get a much better grip with pliers and I don’t get stuck in the process.

Great interview. Not all dogs are cut out for it. You have to hike your dog’s hike, which isn’t a bad way to go anyway.

Thank you.

I have had so many wonderful canine hiking companions over the years. If only their lives weren’t so short!

In Zelda’s last summer, she had a new big young friend to carry her food and gear and share body heat.

And if you’ll forgive a nostalgic post, here are some photos from a short trip in 2008 that I will never forget. My once-in-a-lifetime dog, Rosie, was 12, Piper was 6, and Lola was only about 5 months old, IIRC. I took them for a two-night early season trip as a trial run. Poor Piper had all the food, but Rosie carried some light gear like their fleeces. It went well, and we had some great trips that year. It was Rosie’s last backpacking summer, by the next year, she was just doing short walks and hikes on local trails.

Hi Mark,

Thanks for letting us know about your podcast issues! I’ve looked at addressing this, but can’t do so without adding electronic distortion to the sound for this episode. It should be fixed in epsiode 98 though! Please do let us know if you run into any further issues!

Iride and Skye are always with me in the mountains. They ‘re my true friends and companions. Last summer we hiked the Alta Via nr. 1 in Aosta Valley, Italy. We were out for 11 days. It was so great we shared this experience together.

so nice somebody knows Italian and the Alps!

Anyhow, I want to comment on dog poop. On multi days trips I also dig it like Dave. But on shorter day hikes I carry it with me in a green bag.

I have also left the green bag on the side of a trail on occasions, but only when I know that I’ll come back from that same path.