MT. Sneffels with Labrador?

[dchappy7]

HI, I am thinking of bringing my 5 year old male labrador with me. He is very fit and strong.
Do you think he can handle MT. Sneffels? He can do the class 1 Mtns no problem.

[Nelson]

I took my 45 lbs. Aussie up there a couple of years ago. He did fine everywhere but I had to help him through the notch (both up and down).

[Svenski Norski]

I wouldn't. I saw dogs at the saddle whining at their masters to come down from the chute, lots of very sharp, loose rock. The notch itself has a real drop to the left going up, not a place you want to be trying to boost your pup.

[highpilgrim]

The notch itself has a real drop to the left going up, not a place you want to be trying to boost your pup.

Don't take this as an endorsement to bring a dog because it's not, but you don't have to go through the notch. There is a solid class 3 route up the face next to the couloir (climber's left) that bypasses the notch.

[ameristrat]

We did that class 3 alternate route. There is a chance that we were on a different route than you guys, but there were a few moves that a dog would not be able to do (hoisting yourself up 3-4 ft walls. Nothing above class 3, but just be prepared to carry your dog through it if this is something you're determined to do.

I fall on the conservative side of this argument, but I would not take a dog up Sneffels.

[SurfNTurf]

I love hiking with my lab, but I'd be too paranoid about him kicking rocks on other folks to take him on Sneffels. Both gullies are extremely loose.

[dchappy7]

Thank you all for the replies I really appreciate the advice.

[mtree]

Rockfall hazard from humans is bad enough in the gullies. I don't think a dog would be quite as careful. Just remember, you're responsible for your dog and its actions. As others have mentioned, lots of sharp, loose rock.

[hberry]

In for the dog hate...

My doggie has done about 25 14ers but I would not bring her on this peak again because of the rock situation and getting her through the notch.

[PattyCakes]

Here's another suggestion. You could climb Sneffels with a hiking partner, then do a shuttle. Meaning 1 person stays with the dog and the other climbs the last 100ft to the top. Then take turns on the summit. This way you would avoid the class 3 section near the top with your dog.

To avoid kicking rocks down on people, climb Sneffels in Late June. In most years the rock Gully is full of snow. All you need are some microspikes, and an ice axe. Your dog with his claws should be able to do just fine.

This way its a win win for everyone. You don't kick rocks down on people, your able to take you dog close to the summit and you also get to climb Mt. Sneffels.

This was how I climb Sneffels with my dog. It worked great.

[MountainSlayer]

If you want to stay in the San Juans, why not do Handies, Redcloud or Sunshine? All three are - in my humble opinion - rather straightforward (if you stay on the standard routes) and extremely enjoyable for man and beast alike.

[BuckTurgidson]

If you want to stay in the San Juans, why not do Handies, Redcloud or Sunshine? All three are - in my humble opinion - rather straightforward (if you stay on the standard routes) and extremely enjoyable for man and beast alike.

I just did Handies with my 11 year-old twins and 1.5 year-old Vizsla. We're from back East, so the thin air was a factor for us humans. The dog didn't complain, though.

Handies was otherwise very easy. He could have gone off-leash, but he is pretty adventurous, and I pictured him going after a marmot, and never seeing him again. Also, it was less wear-and-tear on the paws, since he wasn't running so much.