By Frank Carus, Director, Mount Washington Avalanche Center
Dogs are faithful companions, and owners want to have fun with them in the outdoors. I’ve learned that most dogs get much more than they bargain for when they go with their master for a ski day in the Ravine. Here are a few of the issues that we’ve seen over time.
• Dogs sometimes follow closely and seek relief from the effort of walking in deep snow by stepping on the tails of your skis. A nasty cut, which has even been known to cut tendons, can result when you stride forward and a sharp burr cuts their leg.
• Dogs get REALLY excited when running downhill and often get too close running alongside. This is where some cuts occur with lasting injury to the dog’s deeper connective tissue. Additionally, dogs in Tucks can fall into moats, undermined streams, and crevasses and don’t have the foresight to avoid them.
• Long-haired breeds can get snow balled up in their fur and particularly between their pads. It’s a nuisance and may make them give up on a hike.
• Long-term studies show that dogs receive damage to their retina’s from exposure to UV rays. The intense rays of the sun are magnified by snow, particularly in the bowl of the Ravine. This exposure worsens cataracts as a dog ages.
• Perhaps most seriously, dogs can pretty easily ascend steep icy slopes, but freak out on the way down or skid out of control. Dog’s claws enable them to use “studded, four wheel drive” on the way up but are virtually useless on the way down.
• Dogs can overheat in temperatures down to 20F when running in deep snow and quickly cool down when they stop. Cuts to their pads, puncture wounds from broken trees under the snow (which can be fatal) frostbite and hypothermia can all affect canines. They’ll go all day until they give up unexpectedly.
These issues have resulted in some significant carry-outs which can really be tough with large breeds. And the USFS and NHF&G have strict rules against pet rescues. If you have an issue, you are on your own! While the Snow Ranger team has had an avalanche rescue dog on duty for decades now, you will seldom see them skiing with the dog unless they are responding to an avalanche or are in training. The stakes are simply too high so the team rewards the dog with other fun activities that don’t involve all of the above hazards. Our dogs’ life, or high veterinary bills, simply aren’t worth it!
