Story by Matt LaBorde
I knew Kimi was always down for an adventure when I picked her up from a shelter six years ago. She didn't hesitate to jump in my car, and she lights up whenever she hears my keys jingle. I honestly think she likes my car more than our home– she hangs in the back seat even when I'm doing an oil change or vacuuming my carpets. She loves pulling me on a longboard, playing soccer, and floating with me on a paddle board, so I figured climbing trips were right up her alley. She's some kind of husky/shepherd mix so the combination of hauling stuff and managing a herd (usually my friends) makes her feel right at home.
Our trip routine is pretty simple. First and foremost, she's gotta poop. Most scenic spots don't have trash collection so I don't want to worry about packing out her waste at the end of the day. Then we get our gear sorted.
First up is her hi-vis vest and e-collar. Then, I make sure we have her canine climbing harness and first aid kit in case I have to hike her out of a location because of fatigue or injury. The G1™ Intermediate Kennel is a recent addition to our kit, and it is here to stay. Some of the best routes are at the end of rough, winding, or unpaved mountain roads, and I can relax in the driver's seat knowing Kimi has a safe place on the drive up.
Once we arrive, she'll carry my shoes and chalk up the trail. Then, I'll set up camp as she stands guard as lookout. Kimi alerts me of anything before I can see or hear it. She's kept me from stepping on snakes and found stray kittens. There's really nothing you can sneak past this dog.
I really can't recommend it enough to bring your dog along with you on all your adventures, but you have to be mindful about it. Kimi was fully grown and very dog-reactive when I first got her, so I spent a lot of time desensitizing her to lots of stimuli before she could come on trips. But like most things, the more she did it, the better she got.
The biggest thing you should work on with your dog first is a good recall. There are going to be times you won't have physical control over your dog, but you need to recenter their attention on you and control the situation. That's also why I only bring her on bouldering trips. I can reach her from a bouldering problem much faster than I could on a top rope or lead route. Your mileage may vary, but that works best for us.
And beyond all that, you need to respect all the dog rules at any route. Kimi is great off leash and an absolute sweetheart, but I always use her lead where it’s required. Every time a visitor has a bad interaction with a dog, that place gets closer to banning dogs altogether.
Every dog and their guardian deserves a chance to enjoy this kind of quality time, and I hope stories like this help you feel more confident including your pup on your adventures. They appreciate it more than we can ever know.
Shop Matt and Kimi's limited-edition Color Fetch setup before it sells out.
