I was saved by a real Lassie: British hiker lost at 15,000 feet in Peruvian mountains describes how stray dog led him along trails to safety after ’emerging from the mist’
A British tourist who got lost 15,000 feet high in the Peruvian mountains has described how a stray dog ’emerged from the mist’ and led him to his destination.
The man, known on social media as ‘El Güero Inglés’ or The Blonde Englishman, was walking the famous Santa Cruz circuit, near the city of Huaraz, when he became separated from his group on the second day of the trek.
He hoped to reach the picturesque Punta Unión pass at 4,000 meters above sea level, but the route was covered in snow, ice and thick fog.
The walker said that just as he was alone, a friendly dog came up to him, wagging his tail in scenes that evoked the actions of TV rescue collie dog Lassie.
In the photo: the stray dog that led the British tourist to safety in the Peruvian mountains
The hiker poses for a selfie with the dog that led him to the top of the mountain
Pictured: TV rescue collie dog Lassie who led rescuers back to her young owner, lost in a snowstorm
“I decided to rely on his knowledge of the mountain,” the man said, according to Italian newspaper La Stampa.
He said he wondered what a dog could do so high up, but was amazed that he seemed to know the routes around the mountain and led him to a sign pointing to his destination – the Punta Unión.
The Brit explained that when they reached the top, the pair waited together in silence for the other hikers to arrive.
And from then on, the stray dog stayed close to the group of hikers as they continued the journey.
He said that, incredibly, when they got back to camp, there was another dog waiting for them at camp and they continued with the group for another 13.5 miles.
A local resident later explained to the British tourist that dogs in the area often follow hikers into the mountains as if they were trained guides.
The man, known on social media as ‘El Güero Inglés’ or The Blonde Englishman, was walking the famous Santa Cruz circuit when he became separated from his group
‘El Güero Inglés’ filmed his experience during the walk in a video that he later posted on his Instagram account.
In the video he can be heard asking the dog: ‘What the hell are you doing here? How did you get here?’
Then he points up the mountain and says, “We have to go somewhere up there. Okay, you lead the way. If we get lost I’ll blame you, you’re in charge now.”