Zip’s Dog Blog (2.0)

Most of you know Dad’s hatched this scheme to climb the 48 4000 foot mountains here in New Hampshire. You probably
also know about his application to become a Teva Life Agent which would apparently bolster this quest with a $10,000
award for the project. Teva tweeted that the decision would be made within the next two weeks and this would certainly
help make the hiking schedule real for the coming season. The Teva project in particular is a hike up Mount Washington
which is the tallest here in N.H. and legendary for it’s challenging presence. I got my first look up close and
personal this weekend as we attended an AMC (Appalachian Mountain Club) course on Wilderness safety. THis was held at
the Joe Dodge Lodge in Pinkham Notch which is right at the eastern base of the Mountain. We drove up very early on
Saturday and as we wound through old route 25 in Tamworth the Mountain loomed before us impressively. The weather was
glorious and Tracy wanted to stop and take pictures it was so majestic. Well Majestic is one word, I’d like to suggest
Daunting or Intimidating as equally valid words. I love walking, walking in the woods, hiking and even climbing
mountains yet on the crystal clear morning with 113 miles of visibility being reported from the summit, I was impressed
with the work ahead. Fortunately I learned we weren’t trying to climb in the snowy top but would rather make that a
summer quest later this year. This trip was about Wilderness Safety.

Early on we learned that some people were taking the course for Woofer certification and as a champion “Woofer” I was
hopeful. Apparently this is Wilderness First Responder and I didn’t quite qualify but I did groan out my interest when
they asked. One Woofer there was Brady – a guy we met at a Pats game when he brought Brent Bell to the game. That
meeting has had a lot to do with the UNH Pemi traverse this May and in fact sparked some of the 2020 Vision for hiking
the 48. The world is small and strange…that is unless you are looking at a ’small’ piece of it named Mount
Washington. I still say that’s a huge slab of rock.

A little over half our time was spent in a classroom with windows letting us constantly look up at the Mountain in the
beautiful weather which made it seem enticing. Bill Kane of Solo was our primary instructor and he had a great blend
of humor and teaching to make the process go well. He and Frank would lead us in and out to practice senarios of
injury treatment geared for Wilderness situations which basically means remote enough that quick transport to full
medical treatment isn’t possible. The inside stuff was sort of boring to me since my ‘treatment’ plan for Dad is to
rush over and lick his face if he should fall to the ground. I did later learn I have already masterred something they
call ‘decrumpling’ but that was an advanced technique for Sunday. So imagine my discomfort when we all head out and
Dad puts me to the side in a ’stay’ and then proceeds to flop onto the ground seemingly unconscious as part of their
scenario. I play this game all the time with Dad and I know my job is to rush over and lick him n the face or
ocasionally roll him onto his back with my snout so I can lick him. This isn’t any part of my formal Guide Dog work
but a game Dad developed with me which once proved meritorious when he whacked his head on a support column in the
basement. So immediately I get Quinn worried face and watch concerned as Tracy and a few others began the various
rounds of ‘treating’ Dad. He didn’t come up nearly as quickly as happens when I’m on the job so I didn’t much like it
but I learned to get used to it as we repeated this many times.

On the flip side, it was very exciting when Dad and I got to be part of a rescue team. Roughly one third of the class
would flop onto the ground and I’d have to lead Dad to his person to save. I had a formula for this which usually
involved taking him to the closest down person I already knew. Apparently though I wasn’t supposed to try and save
Kara and we left her to move onto Tracy. I took him to Tracy but as he squatted and felt with his hand for the ‘body’
we found Judy instead because the two of them had rather carelessly collapsed very close to each other. Someone was
helping Judy already but they went quiet as we approached so they could watch me do my part. When Dad checked to the
other side he found Tracy and put me into a sit-stay while he treated her. Again I’m certain my technique would have
had her up in no time but instead it was his laborious series of explorations and time delays before finally he got her
up. We repeated this in many ways and I was glad when they started bringing me a mat to lay upon because laying still
on the snow isn’t as warm as you might think. The temperatures weren’t that cold but wet snow isn’t ideal. Dad had
brought my jacket and we used it later. Sadly I learned that my winter coat can also double as emergency splint/sling.
THis is reasonable except if it’s used for such guess who goes without a coat! Harrumph!!

After the primary class on Saturday most of the group stayed for a CPR certification course and Dad now is certified
for the next two years at least. I think he was certifiable from the moment he hatched this climbing scheme but I
guess the many good things coming from this which comprises the entire 2020 Vision Quest is worth it all. Class
finally over for the day we went to have dinner together. This AMC lodge was amazing with a great main room, friendly
and fun people as well as food they said was fantastic. I had my usual but at least I didn’t miss meals while roughing
it in the Wilderness. After dinner we took Dad to the most amazing raised relief map he’d ever felt. It was just the
Mount Washingto area but it was huge and detailed allegedly created by someone named Washburn. Watching Carrie trace
Dad’s finger along the route we would be climbing under her leadership later this year was…well amazing. She traced
several of the trails for him as we discussed the options for routes which he hasn’t yet selected. Apparently the
mountain is so big there are many multiple trails up it, an auto road and even a train called the Cog Railway. It’s a
lot of Mountain that has so many ways up it! Carrie was awesome with the description and detail showing the intended
journey to the AMC hut at Lake of the Clouds. Hearing them and watching him even I got excited for the climb though
mostly I was excited to greet several of the folks asking for a chance to say hello during this time. We did get
several tips on the best hikng ‘boot’ for me as there are apparently Rangers who use labs on the mountain all the time
and have found an ideal boot. Frank is going to get us the information though I bet Dad will have to follow up to
ensure I’m fully prepared. I think Teva funding should include top quality Quinn boots for the shale and quartzite top
of Mount Washington. My vet had said he only wants to ensure a boot has good traction and these apparently have just
such a thing. I can’t wait to test them and see if they are better than the boots I wear when salt is high around
home.

Saturday night we all relaxed in a side room and shared a Quaiche and conversation. It was fun hearing everyone’s bits
of appreciation and we got to interact a little with some folks like Aman Doyle an impressive guy taking the course for
some quality time with his Sister. The fun was partially interrupted when the call arrived sending Kat and Kara home
early because Allison was having her baby and they were going to be there supporting and savoring the process. They
made it there in time and there is a new addition. Allison hiked up Mt. Osceolla with us while pregnant and so there’s
a little cycle completion in a way. Congratulations to John and Allison. We missed Kat and Kara on Sunday especially
since Kat was doing some preliminary filming of the Documentary and I do love a camera. It did give us a chance to
work with different folks like Cheryl and Meghan during the practicals. Ultimately our group of Tracy, Kara, Carrie,
Kat and Dave had a great excursion and will be more prepared to handle many safety components while hiking. Let’s hope
we need to use these skills as little as possible! Next round I’d like more dedicatin to Quinn playtime and less to
coursework. The lodge was good and all but I was well under utilized for my preferences.

Perhaps in part of the atonement I had a good experience this morning. We went for an early morning run together.
Tracy led the way and I followed keeping at a brisk walk or jog as the terrain dictated/allowed. We did the Farmington
Loop which was good and even though it was a mix of fast walk and run, I totally loved it. It might have even been as
much fun as the tug of war play I got on the return trip to the house. Running with all my pack always makes me happy
and I hope we have a lot more of this going forward. One note of disappointment is about the Osgood Street corner.
RIght on the sidewalk as you step up someone broke a thick bottle and broken glass makes for a puppy paw hazard. Tracy
was there to alert us and steer us around but without her I’d have had some seroius concerns. I know my blog readers
aren’t the type to do such things but I’m also hopeful this might inspire all of us to consider not only the ‘not
doing’ of such things but perhaps the undoing of such things. A bag and a dustpan could make short work of it and
leave a safer world for Quinn paws as well. We can’t always travel with such things but if we find a problem we might
be able to remember and see to it getting resolved on a future trip…the sooner the better.

Dad’s done his calls with the lawyers for the 2020 Vision Quest Charity so I have to give him the computer back. Be
Well!

Quinn the Mighty
Woofer Certified