An avalanche on October 10 swept two experienced mountaineers 500 feet down a ridge in Chugach State Park, Alaska, leaving their four‑year‑old poodle‑husky mix, LouLou, missing.
Both men survived but sustained serious injuries—one suffered a broken jaw and hand, the other three broken ribs and a fractured vertebra—prompting urgent medical evacuation.
Lauren Padawer, the dog’s owner, was abroad celebrating her father’s 80th birthday when news of the disaster reached her. She immediately mobilized a network of rescue groups, hiking clubs, and over 36 individuals to locate LouLou.
Search efforts combined ground teams, a scent dog, and commercial pilots Amanda Barker and Dave Beckett. Apple’s AirTag, attached to the dog’s collar, initially pinpointed a spot half a mile from the actual location, complicating the rugged terrain search.
Rescuers found LouLou alive, suffering a broken toe and canine tooth but otherwise healthy. The thick coat and undercoat of the dog are credited with keeping it warm in sub‑freezing conditions.
Padawer expressed relief at the reunion and praised the pilots for their skill. The incident underscores the value of personal tracking devices in wilderness emergencies and may prompt a review of missing‑person protocols in avalanche‑prone areas.