Frequently Asked Questions
Distance between Austin and Boston
Who will be walking
How long will it take
Where will you sleep
Protection for the boys' feet
Why Hudson ain't packing
What if something bad happens
Why risk it
What breed are Hudson and Murphy
How are you training the Boys
What commands are you using
1. Is the distance between Austin and Boston really 2,000 miles?
If you're going by car, yes! Our route is going to be, well, a little out of the way. As it currently stands, we estimate the hike will cover about 2,400 and some change.
2. Will it just be you and Hudson and Murphy on the hike?
Yes and no. We welcome anyone to come walk with us along the trail as we pass through their area. But there's not going to a film crew or supply truck following us.
3. How long will it take you?
We hope to average 10 miles a day; more in the colder weather and less as it gets warmer. If you do the math, that comes out to about 8 months. However, we plan to walk six days and rest and resupply the seventh. Plus, I'm alloting downtime for recovery from sprains, etc. and special events we're planning, too.
4. Where will you sleep?
I think the question is where won't we sleep? Some of you have generously offered up a place for us to park for the night and I'm certain we'll accept the ones that are within reasonable distance from our route.
5. Will the boys' feet be protected?
Definitely they'll be wearing liners and booties! Plus, we'll be avoiding asphalt as best we can which will minimize stress on their paws.
6. Why doesn't Hudson have a backpack?
The bones of dogs under the age of two are still growing and putting weight on them might affect growth. He'll become of age this August and as soon as he does, he's getting outfitted for one!
7. What if something bad happens on the road?
I've drawn up contingency plans which cover most of the risks we'll encounter. Humans (or as Colin Fletcher, author of The Complete Walker, referred to as Homo sapiens nimrodamericanus) are our greatest threat but we'll encounter a wide variety of wild animals, weather conditions, poisonous vegetation and other toxins, and injuries to myself and the boys. Read more discussion about the Dangers!
8. How can you put your dogs at risk?
First of all, my main priority on the road is the safety of Hudson and Murphy. My second priority is their health and my third, their happiness.
That having been said, everybody is at constant risk - creature comforts and civilization have a way of masking it. It's an implicit contract with nature and life gives no guarantees. All one can hope to do is to minimize exposure to those risks through planning and preparedness. I feel over the coming weeks prior to launch that the plans and information we'll be posting to the site as well as the support infrastructure we're putting into place will allay some of the concerns you may have.
Secondly, I will not be taking unecessary chances with the boys. In extreme weather conditions we'll spend the day on other tasks. If there's any indication of overexertion or injury, we'll rest. Flexibility is key to any best laid plan.
I realize this won't convince everyone. There are a very small few I've encountered that are just dead set against it no matter what precautions are taken.
9. What breed are Hudson and Murphy?
Great Pyrenees. One of the oldest breeds extant that date back from 2 to 5,000 BC depending on who you ask, the breed hails from the Pyrenees Mountains in the Basque region of France and Spain. They are most often described as willful, gentle and majestic. Raised from birth to protect their flock, they have thousands of years of independence built into them.
10. How are you training them?
That independence has been a fascinating and truthfully, at times, frustrating dynamic to work with. But I discovered that they had been training me all along not the other way around, and that my role as 'trainer' was to learn how to listen to them.
For example, sometimes I lead and sometimes Murphy wants to. I also have to be very mindful of the pace we keep. Since I'm 6'2", my stride is long and quick so I have to occasionally and consciously slow myself down. Another thing I've learned from Murphy is that I have to break up the monotony. As he wasn't trained as a working dog from birth, I have to ease up and let him sniff and take things in.
We typically try to get 2 or so miles in twice per day at Olmos Park in San Antonio and the Trinity University trail. As launch nears, I'm steadily increasing that and we'll be spending more time walking on the roads.
11. What commands are you using?
I've adopted most of the sled dog lexicon but adapted it for our purposes.
"Gear Up" - Putting on pack and harness
"Ready" - Our starting point. Murphy on my right, Hudson on my left
"Hike" - Get moving
"Gee" - Turn Right
"Haw" - Turn Left
"Heel" - Keep Pace
"Whoa" - Stop
"Let's Rest" - Loose leash
"Leave It" - Hudson, drop what's in your mouth
"Gear Down" - Removing pack and harness