Two stray dogs conquered the top of Mount Elbrus together with climbers

Two stray dogs in Kabardino-Balkaria have become the stars of Russian social networks. They joined a group of climbers and conquered Elbrus — without training or equipment. This was reported on September 6 by a correspondent of Izvestia.

The climbers walked from the shelter to the Western Peak, after which they were joined by mongrels. The animals did not just accompany people, but walked easily, playing at a height where there is almost half as much oxygen as at the bottom.

"The dogs looked like mongrels, but the dog that climbed to the top must have had grandparents in his family," said Stanislav Lemanov, the instructor and guide of the group.

At the same time, the dogs did not have oxygen starvation, they walked on their own — all 12 hours of climbing and descending. Without training and equipment, although usually quadrupeds with owners, if they walk along Elbrus, then only in equipment. Be sure to wear sunglasses, a hiking vest with a first aid kit and a snack on the back. At a large campsite between the peaks, the dogs fortified themselves with sausage, which the climbers had with them.

According to dog handlers, this is an ordinary curiosity of stray animals.

"The dogs that live in the mountains, I've personally seen these dogs, they really have some curiosity about following a group of people. They are interested, they have fun, this is a new story in their lives, and they are happy to walk, join groups of tourists and walk with them," explained Evgenia Volkova, a dog trainer and instructor at the dog training school.

One of the dogs with a chip on its ear did not reach the top of Elbrus, stopping 50 m to the end, dug a hole and fell asleep, while the second dog climbed to the very peak, said the guide Lemanov.

Mountaineers also often encounter foxes on Mount Elbrus. But for two simple mongrels to reach the top, there has never been such a thing in the history of the mountains.

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In December last year, a video from a concert at the Krasnoyarsk Regional Philharmonic was distributed online, one of the visitors of which was a shepherd dog named Dunkel. The dog's owner noted that the animal had been to various concerts with him, and each time showed interest in music.

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