Scottish Hikers Rescue Spaniel After Frigid Night on Mountain

When Aggie the spaniel disappeared through a collapsing snow ledge on a Scottish mountain, her owner faced a terrifying night not knowing if she'd survive.

Four hikers and five dogs were climbing Fionn Bheinn in the Scottish Highlands near Achnasheen when disaster struck near the summit. A cornice, a dangerous overhang of wind-packed snow, gave way beneath the dogs' feet.

The hikers managed to pull four dogs to safety right away. But Aggie, a 5-year-old spaniel, had vanished into a hollow below the summit.

She spent the night alone in the cold at 3,000 feet while her family worried below.

The next morning, Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team sprang into action. They assembled with Aggie's owner and a local deer stalker to search the treacherous terrain.

Once they reached the spot where Aggie had fallen, they found her quickly. A rescuer was lowered by rope into the snowy hollow where the spaniel had taken shelter.

Aggie emerged no worse for wear despite her frigid overnight adventure. According to the rescue team, she was "dead happy" to see her rescuers.

Sunny's Take

This story flips the script on every mountain rescue tale we've heard. Usually it's the brave search dog finding the lost hiker, but this time humans risked dangerous conditions to save their four-legged friend. The Dundonnell team didn't hesitate to gear up and head into risky terrain for a spaniel they'd never met.

Team leader Iain Nesbitt used the moment to warn other mountain lovers about cornices. These snow ledges form in strong winds and overhang steep slopes, making them nearly impossible to spot until it's too late.

The rescue reminds us that the bond between humans and their dogs runs deep enough to brave any mountain.