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Crosby the golden retriever rescued from mountain trail in New Hampshire
Volunteers helped carry the dog, weighing 110 pounds, to safety.
On Monday, a strenuous hike turned too hard for one pup, who showed signs of exhaustion and injuries to his paws. But thanks to the New Hampshire Paw Rescue, the golden retriever Crosby was safely rescued.
While hiking the Franconia Ridge Loop, Crosby’s owner began to notice him slowing down and taking longer breaks about 5 miles into the 9-mile hike, according to an incident report shared by the rescue team on Facebook.
Crosby, his owner, and second dog companion, made it to the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Greenleaf Hut to rest.
The group then made it almost 1 mile down the Old Bridle Path but stopped because Crosby showed signs of exhaustion and soft tissue damage on his paw pads.
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Crosby’s owner reportedly lacked lighting and enough gear to stay comfortable, and did not have canine evacuation supplies.
At 3:30 p.m., the Appalachian Mountain Club notified Paw Rescue that Crosby, a 110-pound, 7-year-old dog, needed assistance on the Old Bridle Path on the west side of Franconia Ridge.
Paw Rescue members and other volunteers hiked up the Old Bridle Path to assist beginning at 5:00 p.m.
Hikers passing by helped carry Crosby down the path during this time. The volunteers met Crosby on the trail at about 6:30 p.m., loaded him in a rigid litter, and took him down the trailhead, arriving at the parking lot around 7:15 p.m., the incident report noted.
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Crosby’s paws were bandaged and covered by booties. He jumped into his owner’s car, ready to rest and head home. His owner reportedly planned on seeking veterinary care.
Paw Rescue said that the Franconia Ridge Loop is a challenging hike that ranges from 1,800 to 5,200 feet in elevation, is exposed to the elements for long stretches, and has a very rocky footing.
The strenuous terrain, combined with warmer-than-average September temperatures, “proved to be too much for a large Golden Retriever like Crosby,” the team wrote in its incident report.
The rescue urges hikers to pack appropriate equipment and supplies, be conservative with their dog’s hiking abilities, and pack a rescue harness and first aid kit.
The informal group of volunteers is available to assist with dog rescue incidents in the mountains of New Hampshire.
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