14ers.com

Hi All,
I am wondering if anyone has any information about the owners of a black pit bull that attacked me near the saddle of Mt Massive going down the standard route on on Saturday. I was walking past them and the dog jumped at me and bit into my upper thigh, going through my pants and puncturing my leg. The owners were two males. One of the owners was a very heavy set man. They had no leash, so one of them laid on the dog as he was growling after the attack. Unfortunately, they did not give me their contact information. If anyone has any information about them, even the vehicle type, color, etc. please PM me. I want to know if this dog is up to date on his vaccinations, etc. so I can move on.

Wow. Sorry to hear this. As usual, this just reminds me that the biggest hazards, in my eyes, while peak bagging is the drive to and from the TH... and people (and their pets).

That’s a pretty big fear of mine. I’ve been attacked by dogs twice. One attack resulted in plates, screws, and replacement ligaments from a cadaver in my back. I’m not scared of dogs. Love them and have two of my own but an off leash dog can scare the crap out of me sometimes.

I hike with my dog and I keep him leashed. He is completely indifferent to people and most dogs. Since he is on leash, I will keep him close if there is another dog, Unfortunately, I have many cases where loose dogs come up to us and not listening. The other week on Massive as well, I ran into a group with an off leash dog. The people weren't paying attention and there dog proceeded to hump my dog. I don't want to interfere because I don't know this strange dog and don't want to get bit. The owner got his dog away from mine after he eventually reached us. After I passed, the dog runs after us again. The stupid part is the one guy had a leash in his hand but never attempted to leash him. He yelled and the dog listened eventually but not after yelling numerous times. We also have been both bit by dogs running loose on our daily walks. Unless you're dog is perfectly trained and you're not kidding yourself, use a leash, you're dog may be friendly but the dog he runs up to on a leash may not like being rushed (or having its owner rushed)

Oldskool70 wrote:As usual, this just reminds me that the biggest hazards, in my eyes, while peak bagging is the drive to and from the TH

Oh, I don't know, but do you think it's possible that the people who died on Capitol last year underestimated the peak because they heard that driving to the peak was more dangerous than climbing the peak itself?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I heard of more people dying on Capitol than driving to its trailhead.

'Nuff said.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I heard of more people dying on Capitol than driving to its trailhead.

I mean, statistically i am sure it is more dangerous to simply be driving on the highway than to be hiking. I don't think its meant to downplay the dangers of hiking, but if you are an experienced hiker, it is definitly more dangerous to simply be on the highway than to be bagging most 14ers.

DArcyS wrote:

Oldskool70 wrote:As usual, this just reminds me that the biggest hazards, in my eyes, while peak bagging is the drive to and from the TH

Oh, I don't know, but do you think it's possible that the people who died on Capitol last year underestimated the peak because they heard that driving to the peak was more dangerous than climbing the peak itself?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I heard of more people dying on Capitol than driving to its trailhead.

'Nuff said.

So let me state the generic aspects of peak bagging. An estimated quarter of a million people climb 14ers every year. Not a lot of those folks climb Capitol. Lots can go wrong on all of them. Including to and from. Leave it to the good ol' webernet folks to miss the point and take this out of context though. But I'll go down this rabbit hole just for DarcyS. Hazards versus death. Most people don't die from dog bites but more people are bit by dogs than die on Capital. Apples vs Oranges. Most folks know the 'up front' hazards ( rock fall, lightning, etc). People, pets & driving are usually not on the radar. They are on mine though. I've come around the bend more than once at 4:00am to see elk, deer or a big rock in the middle of the road. It's probably due to the fact that I want to get up and down early to avoid one of the 'up front' hazards called lightning. And yes, I've been bit by dogs (more than once).

Madison08 wrote:Hi All,
I want to know if this dog is up to date on his vaccinations, etc. so I can move on.

Sorry I can't help you with info.

But bear spray, or possibly a trekking pole up side the dog's head will likely deter it next time.

All I have to say on the issue is that I'm so sorry this happened, and that only certain people should be allowed to be dog owners (or be allowed to breed....other humans).

highpilgrim wrote:

Madison08 wrote:Hi All,
I want to know if this dog is up to date on his vaccinations, etc. so I can move on.

Sorry I can't help you with info.

But bear spray, or possibly a trekking pole up side the dog's head will likely deter it next time.

Maybe also replace, or add to, "dogs head" with "owners head". Double whammy.

Oldskool70 wrote:

DArcyS wrote:

Oldskool70 wrote:As usual, this just reminds me that the biggest hazards, in my eyes, while peak bagging is the drive to and from the TH

Oh, I don't know, but do you think it's possible that the people who died on Capitol last year underestimated the peak because they heard that driving to the peak was more dangerous than climbing the peak itself?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I heard of more people dying on Capitol than driving to its trailhead.

'Nuff said.

So let me state the generic aspects of peak bagging. An estimated quarter of a million people climb 14ers every year. Not a lot of those folks climb Capitol. Lots can go wrong on all of them. Including to and from. Leave it to the good ol' webernet folks to miss the point and take this out of context though. But I'll go down this rabbit hole just for DarcyS. Hazards versus death. Most people don't die from dog bites but more people are bit by dogs than die on Capital. Apples vs Oranges. Most folks know the 'up front' hazards ( rock fall, lightning, etc). People, pets & driving are usually not on the radar. They are on mine though. I've come around the bend more than once at 4:00am to see elk, deer or a big rock in the middle of the road. It's probably due to the fact that I want to get up and down early to avoid one of the 'up front' hazards called lightning. And yes, I've been bit by dogs (more than once).

I suppose the extra-verbage in my post set the wrong tone, my apologies.

DArcyS wrote: I suppose the extra-verbage in my post set the wrong tone, my apologies.

No, I think it was pretty much the meat and potatoes of your post that set the wrong tone.