BCs and mountain climbing

[Zoe]

My husband had a dream that me, him and Dylan climbed Mount Fuji. Now he thinks we have to actually do it He has actually done it before and knows what it entails. I have never had the desire, personally, as it is not supposed to be a very pleasant climb. It is just rocky. We have climbed to the summit of a few mountains in Japan with Dylan but no higher than about 2,200 metres ( about 7,000 feet ). It was nice - there were trees and other plants Fuji is almost 4,000 metres high ( about 13,000 feet ). I know the view would be great if we were lucky, but I am not really interested. I don't plan to try it. It did get me thinking about altitude sickness, though. I googled and read the International Society for Mountain Medicine's guidelines which say you may be affected at heights over 2,500 metres and described the symptoms - for humans. Does anyone know about dogs and altitide sickness ? A couple of the mountains we have been up with Dylan had ski lifts that we were able to take him on - they are dog friendly in the summer. And there were a lot of people with their dogs, so I just assumed it was ok. Dylan was fine and I would have turned back immediately, should I have thought he wasn't. Would the guidelines with regard to altitude sickness be the same for dogs as for humans ??? Thanks in advance !

[Allie Oop]

Well, we've taken our dogs hiking and climbing at altitudes of over 10,000 feet without much problem. A few years ago we took our then 12 year old GSD/Rough Collie hiking up Bald Mountain (11,943 feet) - it's a short, extreme elevation hike with boulder scrambles, mostly toward the top. Even at his advanced age, he did great.

 

Allie we haven't had the opportunity to do high mountain climbs with yet, but because she is so young and in great health she should do fine.

 

From what I'm told, altitude sickness in dogs is similar to humans. You need to make sure that the dog paces itself and gets plenty of water. Some of the places we've gone the exposure is quite severe. I always leash up the dog in those kind of areas -- a harness-type restraining device works best (just in case the pup does a header you don't want to be dangling him by his neck). I would also never take a dog hiking that didn't have absolute recall.

 

Mt. Fuji sounds quite interesting -- you'll have to let us know if you decide to try it.

 

Regards,

[Cheri McDonald]

We hiked all over the Eastern Sierra with our two, elevations up to 11,000 feet. Take lots of water and make sure Dylan drinks his share. We never had a problem. Dehydration is normally the biggest problem for most healthy active people.

 

Just watch for the signs of altitude problems in yourself and you better than anyone would be able to tell if Dylan was off in any way.

 

Does he have his own pack to carry his water share and his energy snacks? I say go for it and post pictures for us!!!

[Hector]

I have done some hiking, including Mt. Whitney (14,494 feet), the highest peak in the lower 48 states. At the time I hiked that I lived at an elevation of about 4,500 feet. The starting point for the Whitney hike is at 8,500 feet. I hiked steadily along with no problems until about 12,500 feet and then I got a headache from the altitude. The headache stayed with me from there to the summit and back down to about 12,000 feet and then the headache went away.

 

The following applies to people and dogs. If you live at sea level and then you hike to the top of Mt. Fuji at 12,389 feet, then that would be your elevation gain. You or the dog would have to be in very good physical shape to do that comfortably. I would recommend being able to run 5 miles in 45 minutes (9 minute miles). If you, or your dog, could do that comfortably, then the Mt. Fuji hike should present no problems. If you can't run 5 miles at all or are very slow, then Fuji would be a strain.

[sandra s.]

Originally posted by Zoe:

My husband had a dream that me, him and Dylan climbed Mount Fuji. Now he thinks we have to actually do it

I think I want your hubby

 

I've never been so high up as to get actual altitude sickness, but Kessie and I have been in places where I could definitely feel the altitude and got slower because of it, and Kessie didn't seem affected at all.

I'd say go with your instincts, you can always turn around if you think he's not feeling well. And you'll get a lot of great views (and pictures for us ) even if you never reach the summit.

 

If it's "just rocky", it's probably amazing!

 

One thing...since Fuji is a volcano, I'd be worried about Dylan's feet (not because they'd get roasted , just because of the roughness). Maybe you should look up what type of lava they have up there, and how the paths are, if you haven't done that already.

[Zoe]

Thanks for all your replies - now I feel like I might even want to try it !!!

Allie - I would keep Dylan on some kind of leash all the way up if we did it - but I hadn't considered a harness. I would use one, so thanks for that.

Cheri - No, he doesn't have a pack, but you've given me a good idea. Dylan drinks a lot - I take a litre bottle when we go out in the Summer and he'll polish it off in an hour and a half. ( Although half gets wasted 'cos I have one of those bottles that looks like a water bottle for a rabbit cage. If we ever did climb Fuji, I'd need about 5 litres for him alone :eek:

Hector, I don't "run", and haven't since junior high.... I walk a lot though ( about an hour and a half or more every day ), and hubby reckons I could walk 5 miles in 45 minutes no problem !???

SANDRA !! First of all, I think I gave the wrong impression of hubby. I don't know what impression you got, but I'm sure it was wrong ! He gets puffed out walking to the trails where I go with Dylan, let alone walking on them. He is also a great "talker". He comes from a region of Japan which is famous for its' comedians. Having said that, if you're still interested - then you are very welcome. He has lots of free air miles from all his business trips abroad, so you wouldn't even have to pay for shipping

AND, I am sure I offended you with my comments about "rocks" I actually like rocks a lot - they are essential to my work ( pottery ), and I even have a small collection So please accept my humble apologies for that !!!! ( I know you aren't really offended ). I'll keep you all updated. We might just go part of the way...

[sandra s.]

Originally posted by Zoe:

I don't know what impression you got, but I'm sure it was wrong

I don't know either, I just like the way he needs to go up there just because he dreamed it

 

Hmmm...I think I'll settle for a suitcase full of original Fuji lava bombs. OR some great mountain pics posted in the gallery

[MrsPalmer]

My Hubby and I have tried climbing a 14,000 elevation mountain in Colorado, we just werent aclimated enough. We didnt get sick but it plays trick on the oxygen to your muscles. Dogs are great at climbing & stamina, I'm sure you could do it, but you should build up to it and not do it all in one try.

[Hector]

Zoe -- since you walk 1.5 hours per day, you must be in excellent physical shape. From my long hiking and mountaineering experience, I will give you some advice (take it or leave it!).

 

Hiking up and down a major mountain uses different muscles than walking on relatively flat land. Depending on how fast you walk, the oxygen transfer capacity of your lungs could be excellent, or just medium. As you hike to high altitude, the question of altitude sickness or not depends on how easily your body can get the oxygen it needs.

 

Mt. Fuji is a beautiful mountain and I am sure the views from it would be magnificent. A lot of pictures show snow near the top. I don't know if that snow is perpetual or if it melts clear during the summer. Hiking on snow is another problem versus hiking on dry land. Snow which is very hard can be dangerous in terms of slipping, falling, and sliding down.

 

If there is a good trail across snowy areas, that should be safe enough. But if you actually walk on hard, steep snow, it is highly recommended that you carry an ice ax and know how to use it for a self-arrest. Footwear which is fine for walking around in a city is not likely to be good on a major hike like that. You need boots and those boots must fit well and be broken in.

 

The best strategy for hiking a mountain like Mt. Fuji is to get the right equipment, train for hiking by doing hiking and then start your actual hike up Fuji early some day with good weather.

 

It is very important to keep in mind that when you decided to turn around there is still a lot of effort required to hike down. So don't hike up until you are totally exhausted and then decide to turn around. Keep yourself in a state of mind where you will turn around, no matter how high you are, at a point where you start feeling tired. If you only get half way up the first attempt, that is okay. You might actually plan to hike half way the first time, then based on that trip take another hike where you go 3/4 of the way up, and so forth. By taking that approach you won't over-extended yourself and have a miserable experience. Good luck. I wish I could hike up Mt. Fuji.

 

One question just popped into my head: Do you know for a fact that the authorities permit dogs on the trail up Mt. Fuji? In the USA, on most popular big hikes, dogs are NOT permitted.

 

Just to establish my "credentials", here is a picture of me sitting on the summit of Mt. Teewinot (elevation 12,325 feet) in the Grand Tetons, Wyoming, USA, taken in July 1966. The North Wall of the Grand Teton (elev. 13,766 ft.) is in the background.

 

[smileyzookie]

Im so jealous I want to hike mountains. I'll never be able to unless someone pulls me up. LOL!! (car accident - bad back ect is the cause) I really liked that picture Hector. I think we need to see more mountain pics.. some come on people.. i.e. Sandra, Zoe... lol post post post!! lol Im a mountain freak.

[sandra s.]

Im so jealous I want to hike mountains. I'll never be able to unless someone pulls me up. LOL!! (car accident - bad back ect is the cause) I really liked that picture Hector. I think we need to see more mountain pics.. some come on people.. i.e. Sandra, Zoe... lol post post post!! lol Im a mountain freak.

We're off to the Dolomites next week, so I'll hopefully have some pics for you soon!

Have you tried going up in a lift or a cabin? Unless you're a fanatic ( ) who feels that it's some form of cheating, the view, the wind, and the light are the same!

[smileyzookie]

Very clever idea!! My best friend is a hiking freak. I should see if she knows any place around here with the lifts

[IronHorse]

Zoe,

Old Japanese saying;

"Your are wise to climb Fuji once and a fool to climb it twice."

 

If your looking for a wilderness adventure Mt. Fuji isn't it, but it is a grueling hike where you can expect 3,000 to 5,000 other ppl to be doing the same thing on the same day that you are.

Pets ARE allowed on Mt. Fuji.

Heres a good site loaded with info Fuji climbing guide

 

A typical august day at the top

 

 

remember to take your address book because yes there is a post office

 

 

heading down to one of the numberous stations along the trails

 

 

A look at the desending trail and the traffic

 

 

 

Is it worth the trip?

well I believe the saying

"Your are wise to climb Fuji once and a fool to climb it twice."

 

the rewards of being on any summit can only be explained by experincing it.

 

 

 

 

Good luck and good hiking to you if you decide to make the climb.

-----------------------------------

Hector

You've been on some serious stone, I loved the pic of you on the summit of Mt. Teewinot.

You know the rewards man.

I have spent some time in the Wind River area,the Bitteroots and Tetons back in my younger day.

[Zoe]

Ironhorse - thanks for that ! Now I don't have to go !!! Your pictures show what I meant when I said it is not supposed to be a very interesting climb. We may still do part of it, we shall see. The crowds REALLY put me off, but for a lot of people it is a kind of pilgrimage, so I am guessing the atmosphere would be one of conviviality.That is always nice. It IS a different kind of mountain climbing experience !

Hector, thanks for your advice and I LOVE that 'photo of you.You must treasure that. That is some truly outstanding scenery. That is what I call mountain climbing ( I do think you are a bit mad, though ! )

[Cody & Duchess]

We hike every summer in the southern Rockies with a BC/springer mix and a BC. They both adore it. We carry their water - bring a collapsable bowl - and water in a backpack. We bring the water in containers that can have the unused water from the bowl put back in it. We bring a lot.. especially if it is warm. Also bring a little flea comb... not for fleas but to get out hitchhikers. We start at 8600 and go to 12000 feet. The dogs act like we have given them the biggest gift of all. The dogs go twice the distance during the day than we do- exploring the surroundings. By the end of the day they are trotting at our side. I want to hike Wheeler Peak in New Mexico - I am concerned about the shale and the dog's feet. Any advice?

[Jack & Co.]

Wow, this is an old thread.

[Caroline Reichard]

You will need to keep your dog's feet working; without pads, you have no feet, and then you have to go home. Make sure that the dog already has the thick pads of an active, outdoor dog before you start. I'd absolutely carry Crazy Glue for cut pads or torn nails. It does work and will not harm your dog. Years ago, I found that after about 3 full days on concrete or rock, the dogs' pads started wearing off. Hot rock or concrete will burn off their feet quicker than anything. I never used dog boots, but you might consider having them in case.