On July 11, we were called to assist Clyde, a 90-pound Rottweiler who had injured multiple paw pads while hiking near Lake Ann in Kittitas County. He was approximately 4.5 miles up the trail and no longer able to walk.
We deployed alongside Kittitas County Search and Rescue, prepared for the possibility of spending the night on the mountain. When rescuers reached Clyde, we found that all four paws were abraded and extremely tender. We then padded and bandaged his paws after muzzling him, per our guidelines, hoping the extra cushioning would allow him to walk out.
Clyde stood up, but despite plenty of encouragement, it became apparent that he was not going to walk out on his own. While another team carried the rescue litter up the trail, we used a Fido rescue sling with hiking poles across the lifting points to create a four-person carry. We hoped that if we supported most of Clyde’s weight, he might walk with us.
Instead, Clyde tucked up his legs and started paddling them through the air as though he were swimming. Through it all, he seemed perfectly calm with his improvised ride.
When we met up with the team carrying the litter, the sling carry was working well, so the litter was staged farther down the trail on a flatter section. We carried Clyde to it, placed him inside, and secured him.
As soon as the litter was lifted, he became concerned and managed to escape the strapping that had been applied. The litter was lowered, and this time Clyde was packaged much more securely, with the rescue sling also used to prevent him from sliding backward. Once the litter was balanced and Clyde realized he was securely in place, he seemed to relax.
Then darkness fell.
With only headlamps lighting the way, we began the long and technical pack-out. A rescuer moved ahead of the litter to help plan the best route through tight turns, sloping trail edges, large steps, loose rocks, logs, stream crossings, and constantly changing terrain.
A tag line on the back of the litter helped control its movement on steep sections going downhill. Where the trail was wide enough, rescuers worked alongside the litter to assist with balance—but much of the trail was too narrow for side positions.
WASART and Kittitas County SAR members worked together throughout the night, rotating positions and jumping in wherever needed.
Additional KCSAR teams hiked up to meet the rescue team along the way, bringing fresh hands and litter handles that proved especially helpful on narrow sections of trail.
After 4.5 miles, Clyde and his rescue team finally reached the trailhead. He was placed inside his owner’s vehicle for the ride home.
We are incredibly grateful to Kittitas County Search and Rescue for their partnership, teamwork, and the many hands that helped carry Clyde safely off the mountain.
Clyde wasn’t able to walk out on his own—but thanks to the combined teamwork, problem-solving, and determination of everyone involved, he made it safely back to the trailhead.
Folks, you are here because you love animals, as are the volunteers who also read the comments. Angry comments have a negative affect on those who worked throughout the night to help Clyde. Please think of your rescue teams when commenting and help us celebrate success.
Click any of the photos below for full size.
Teamwork on the Pacific Crest Trail