My dog is a big Malamute mix. While really fast on the hardpack, he's too big and waddles down my track on anything powdery. Because of this he a) only comes out for short days, usually just him and myself - he's too slow on the down and I feel like I hold the group back if I'm with others and b) He doesn't blaze his own trail so he's always behind me.
Sure, he doesn't make for the best proper touring dog, but he loves being in the snow and he's usually in the back when I'm actually making turns so the odds of cutting him are pretty slim. He doesn't try to bit or go in to close to my feet/skis either which is a real bonus. Seen a few days get cut from pretty much diving head first at the ski edges. Some dogs should NOT be out there, that's for sure.
Dogs aside. In my Rossland days I got into the habit (ok, it was more than a habit - I was straight hooked) of doing solo Robbie laps. I'd tell myself that the nature of the mountain made it safe for me to do lap after lap, day after day by myself. I haven't been up Mt. Roberts in two years and damn I miss that mountain, and I will be back on top at least once this year, hopefully by myself!
