Georgian Dog Follows Pro Skier Deep Into The Backcountry, Adventure Ensues
"This is a story about a dog, a Georgian dog deep in the Caucus…"
Colorado-based Colter Hinchliffe is no stranger to adventure: offroad driving sick vehicles, skiing exotic locales, and venturing into the backcountry with a dog (accidentally) in tow.
When the skier set off "1200m above the town of Ushguli and off into a walley behind," he expected to be alone. Instead, "a town dog insisted on joining me."
This, by the way, isn't the first time a dog has joined skiers in the backcountry. And, may I add, the skiing in Georgia looks pretty incredible.
Check out the film Lost in Georgia exploring the Caucasus mountains below. (Watch for the dogs climbing with them here, too!)
Colter explains that he didn't encourage the dog to come with him. "I tried hard to deter him from coming immediately as I left town by scolding him and even throwing snow at him, but he just lurked further behind until I welcomed him at the top of the ridge."
"Truth be told I was happy to have a Buddy, I was just concerned for his ability to complete the long tour I had in mind."
"Dropping off the summit away from town meant I had to either take a long 12k slightly downhill exit, or climb another 700m back to a high saddle and return to town via a 3k flat walley."
"After already climbing 1200m with my heavy setup I was leaning towards the longer but downhill exit…. Until my new Buddy dropped in with me. I didn’t think the elevation would be as difficult for him as pure distance, so up and out we went!"
"I didn’t feed him until we were stuck in the walley, committed. I didn’t feed him until then as to not encourage him to follow me. I fed him once we were committed to keep him going! He deserved it!"
Dogs were made for backcountry ski trips. Pocket bacon? Try pocket dog treats!
"Up and out we went and it was a brutal grind with a cornice to deal with atop the ridge. It was bad *** when he sent it! Below, the snow was so very slow as it was -12°c but I finally was able to carry him a few hundred meters anyways."
"At the walley bottom we had to dig real deep for the last 3k to town which was flat and somehow even uphill with the super slow snow, it was all work no glide. But we made it!"
"And I gave my new Buddy all the food in my car including 2 eggs and some bread. I wish I had more food for the guy as these dogs are essentially stray but the residents of town treat them well and feed them scraps, but he needed more than scraps!"
"I think he enjoyed himself although he might have bit off more than he realized by following me! This was the third dog following me on a ski tour this trip to Georgia 🇬🇪. They know what’s up, they just take themselves for a walk and are the sweetest dogs ever. I already miss my Buddy and hope he’s enjoying a new adventure with another lucky skier 😊."
This is the kind of story that makes you want to book a flight to Georgia today. Not just for the skiing, but for the great company.
Plus, get this one trained up, and you have avalanche rescue dog on hand! I always thought avalanche rescue dogs had to be convinced to stay outside in the elements, but it looks like maybe they enjoy the snow as much as we do.
Dogs are man's best friend, right?
Related: Avalanche Rescue Dog Enjoys Utah's First Snow Day Of The Season
Don't miss another headline from POWDER! Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of skiing.
We're always on the lookout for amusing, interesting and engaging ski-related videos to feature on our channels. Whether you're a professional or just an amateur, we want to see your best footage and help you share it with the world. Submit your video for a chance to be featured on POWDER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality ski videos.
