Update: Four of the Eight Above have been adopted and two others are now with other rescue groups! If you would like to donate towards the care of the remaining two in foster care with our rescue, please click the donate button below and thank you for your support!
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Eight Above
Written by Liz Copp
Photos by Katy Flanagan and Fredell Qualls
As one explores the history of humankind, the influence and company of canine companions often plays a prominent role. Lord Byron, one of Britain’s greatest poets, penned his famous lines in the company of his beloved dog. Lewis and Clark explored the West accompanied by Seaman, a Newfoundland. Dogs have long captivated the human imagination and earned man’s trust. No other animal holds such an esteemed role in human activity. Canine feats of heroism and survival enchant and inspire societies to memorialize dogs in literature and cinema. As humanity has witnessed heroic partnerships between humans and dogs, it has expanded expectations of what these fascinating animals can achieve. Dogs are expected to dig people out of avalanches, to rescue individuals from collapsed buildings, to detect drugs, bombs and cancer, to spot and retrieve fowl, and to provide companionship at day’s end. Due to this bond between humans and dogs, volunteers recently jumped at the opportunity to help rescue eight Alaskan Malamutes stranded on a mountain when their owner died.
The eight stranded malamutes’ narrative is similar to the movie Eight Below, where a team of sled dogs are stranded at the South Pole. In Hollywood, humor, tragedy, and adventure are blended into a neat two hour package. The story concludes with a rescue and everyone, dogs included, lives happily ever after. Reality, however, is never packaged as neatly, or with easy conclusions.
Rimini, Montana was once a bustling mining town. Now this “ghost” town is inhabited by a handful of full-time residents and summer vacationers. Red Mountain and Lee Mountain frame the narrow valley and Helena National Forest surrounds Rimini. Darwin Lumbattis purchased acreage near the end of Rimini Road which winds through Ten Mile Creek Valley. Lumbattis reportedly purchased his high mountain property to raise numerous Alaskan Malamutes after receiving complaints in Butte, Mt. about his dogs. In the winter the roads to his travel trailer were made impassable by deep drifts of snow and access was only possible by snowmobiles, cross-country skis, or snow shoes. On March 16, 2010, Lumbattis, 74, died at his mountain retreat. Eight senior Alaskan Malamutes were left behind, stranded at 7500 ft with no immediate life-time care strategy in place. Rod Caughey, a distant neighbor of Lumbattis’, fed the Malamutes and searched for a solution to move them to safety. During this time, Lumbattis’ biological son, Tim Moomey who lived out of state, contacted Rod. Together the two men contacted Moonsong Malamute Rescue (MMR) with the hope that the rescue organization might offer advice or solutions on what do with the eight dogs trapped on the mountain. MMR is based in Idaho, but assists in neighboring states such as Montana, where no Malamute rescue organization exists.
MMR responded by gathering volunteers from Idaho and Wyoming to meet with Tim and Rod in hopes of extracting the “Eight Above” malamutes from their precarious situation. On location volunteers included: Katy Flanagan, Boise, Idaho, Niki Tischhauser, Tetonia, Idaho, Fredell (Freddie) Qualls, Cody, Wyoming, and Liz Copp, Twin Falls, Idaho and remote operations rescuers included Lynn Murdoch, Chubbuck, Idaho and Melissa Gallegos, Boise, Idaho. Rod and Tim advised MMR that five dogs were chained to trees while three dogs roamed the property. The dogs only access to water was to eat snow, and their only sustenance was kibble left by the neighbor, Rod, using his snowmobile for access. Volunteers knew they needed to relocate the dogs before the spring thaws, since the dogs depended on snow as a water source. And yet, an early spring rescue also posed great difficulty with blizzards common in the Helena National Forest. Any spring storm could prevent the rescue from proceeding.
The team convened in Helena, Mt. April 9, 2010 and began the “Eight Above” Rescue Operation; fortunately, the skies were clear. The MMR team and Tim drove their four vehicles 12 miles to the Rimini road, locked into four-wheel drive, and drove until the road disappeared under snow drifts. Equipment littered the ground around several vehicles as volunteers sorted through the items they thought they might need, given the unknown health conditions of the “Eight Above” malamutes and the terrain. Rod joined the motley crew with his snowmobile and expertise. Tim provided a second snowmobile. It was decided that the snowmobiles would haul most of the equipment and two live traps to the site. The plan was for three of the volunteers, Katy with her malamute Tasha, Niki, and Liz, to tackle the trail with cross-country skis. Freddie would ride with the live traps and Rod to the site, then set the traps in hopes of capturing the loose dogs.
The team setout to reach the “Eight Above” located 3 miles up the mountain from their “base camp” staging area. The MMR team believed it would take a short hour to reach the dogs and begin the extraction. However, their careful planning was foiled by terrain that was far steeper than the group anticipated. Rod, Tim, and Freddie reached the dogs quickly, unpacked equipment and scouted the best location for the live traps. The three cross-country skiers set a steady pace, but made slow progress in their upward climb. Eventually, Tim drove his snowmobile down the trail to check on the volunteers. It was decided that Tim would shuttle two of the skiers up to the site to save time.
Five dogs were chained to trees near dilapidated plywood dog houses.
It was close to 3 pm when the entire team was assembled at Lumbattis’ mountain property. Five dogs were chained to trees near dilapidated plywood dog houses. Each dog had beaten a path around their tree the length of their chain. While some dogs barked at the volunteers, others would not even peer out of the dog houses where they hid. Although nervous, eventually all of the malamutes warmed to the volunteers. The dog houses did not contain any winter bedding, such as straw, and the only water available was from the surrounding snow. Frozen urine and feces ringed each dog house. Discarded building materials thrust through drifts: a new wood stove, plywood, a door. Two travel trailers were partially drifted over. A frozen mixture of noodles and pinto beans filled a five-gallon bucket near the door to the trailer that served as Lumbattis’ residence. Scattered along the counter inside the trailer were half-full veterinary prescriptions. The team marveled at the random assortment of materials accumulated on nearly every flat surface of the trailer. This trailer served as “headquarters” for the team and their gear.
The MMR team needed to catch or trap the three loose dogs before moving any of the other dogs off the mountain. Their fear was that if the loose dogs were not captured before the chained dogs were removed, the loose dogs would abandon the site and perish. The team set one baited live trap near a packed trail the loose dogs had created. The odor of green tripe wafted through the forest. Nervous tension crackled on the chilly mountain air. Would the trap work? How long? What if? Amazingly, Rod was able to approach and leash Tank, a red and white male, who was loose. Dolly, an unchained, sweet older gal, wandered out of her dog house. Freddie and Katy cornered her just off the trail in deep, powdery snow. The two volunteers attached a collar and lead to Dolly and then secured her to an unoccupied dog house. Dolly appeared to be a fragile and it was decided she would need to be crated to transport down the mountain. Unfortunately, that meant leaving the tenacious little survivor on the mountain another night.
Meanwhile, Sweet Pea, the last free-range malamute cautiously approached the trap and started to step forward. The wind caught the band of fabric covering the trap’s lever and flipped it towards the female malamute. The dog bolted. A feeling of defeat washed through the MMR troupe as the afternoon waned toward evening. Rod called the team together with his idea to capture the flighty malamute. He suggested the team use the same technique used to capture Dolly; that the dog be herded toward deeper snow to restrict her movement. The group formed a loose line around the malamute cutting her off from the packed trails. Katy and Niki moved closer, driving the dog into the deep snow. The malamute dove into the snow and floundered. Katy and Niki were able to tether Sweet Pea and lead her to stable ground! A small cheer erupted from the rest of the onlookers; they had captured all of the loose dogs!
It was impossible to ski down the steep trail without risking injury to the dogs or to the volunteers. The MMR team decided to remove Tank and Sweet Pea by snow shoeing with them downhill three miles to “base camp” and return for the last six “Eight Above” malamutes the next day. Before Tank and Sweet Pea could hike out, giant ice balls had to be removed from their feet. The ice balls attached to long hair surrounding the malamutes’ pads and made walking painful. Niki and Liz carefully muzzled each dog and cut the ice away from the dog’s feet. Both Tank and Sweet Pea were patient and allowed the impromptu grooming without fuss.
With the ice balls removed from Sweet Pea and Tank, the dogs led by Freddie and Liz, began their three-mile journey down the steep mountainside. The malamutes tried several times to turn back to their mountain home, but with treats and affection were soon trotting alongside the two volunteers. That both Sweet Pea and Tank are senior malamutes became clear as the volunteers and dogs navigated several of the vertical snowy slopes on the trail. The pace was slowed and mini-breaks were taken to revitalize both dogs. Dusk cloaked the tree line and the forest began to whisper its creaky winter ballad. Freddie and Liz needed to reach the junction point where the trail intersected with the snow-machine road. Time was counted by the number of steps the dogs could take before they needed to rest. Both dogs slowed further, but still plodded alongside their rescuers.
Sweet Pea was loaded into the crate which was secured to a sled. Freddie, Tim, Liz and Tank get ready to continue on down with Freddie pulling Sweet Pea on the sled.
Nearly 2.5 hours later the two dogs and their handlers reached the junction and radioed to “base camp” to bring them a crate and sled. Katy and Tim arrived quickly and Sweet Pea was loaded into the crate which was secured to a sled. Katy and Freddie pulled Sweet Pea down the road towards the waiting vehicles and other team members. Tank continued on by foot. Just as the first stars winked down at Rimini, the volunteers caught sight of “base camp.” Cheers on both sides broke the stillness and a mini celebration ensued. After watering both dogs, the team loaded them into side-by-side crates in the covered bed of Katy’s truck. The drive back to Helena was punctuated with chatter and new plans for the rescue of the remaining six dogs as exhaustion crept over all the participants.
A local veterinary clinic opened at 8:30 am, and the MMR ladies had Tank and Sweet Pea there at that time. This clinic had agreed to partner in the “Eight Above” rescue with MMR by vetting the dogs for a prearranged price. They vetted Tank and Sweet Pea, however later that morning, we got a call that they decided they could no longer assist MMR at this price after their normal closing time of 12 pm. In true rescue style, the MMR team, remote and on site, began brain storming their options. Most veterinary clinics in Helena closed at noon on weekends and charged afterhours emergency fees. It was imperative to have all the dogs vetted so that they could be cared for by Guardian Kennels in Montana City. Two or more stressful hours later, Dr. Thomi at Companion Animal Clinic in Helena rose to the challenge and generously offered to meet us whenever we could get the remaining six dogs off the mountain and also to vet the dogs at a discounted fee.
As soon as Dr. Thomi’s assistance was secured, the troupe sprang to action. It was decided that Katy and Freddie would take Tank and Sweet Pea over to Guardian Kennels, while Niki and Liz headed to Rimini to meet Rod, Tim, and a new volunteer, Kevin Cravens. Kevin was a neighbor of Lumbattis’ and had previously helped feed and water the dogs. Katy and Freddie would join the rescue party as soon as possible.
Those gathered set out on snowshoes and snowmobiles and quickly reached the site. Niki and Liz loaded Dolly, who appeared to be weak in her hind quarters, into a crate which was bungeed to a sled. The sled was then secured to Rod’s snowmobile. Rod drove slowly and carefully, and delivered Dolly to Freddie at “base camp.” Katy returned to Lumbattis’ with Rod on the snowmobile.
After spraying Pumpkin and Brando’s feet with PAM to prevent ice balls from forming, Niki and Liz snowshoed down the mountain with the dogs, following the same trail the volunteers took the day before. Meanwhile, Tim snow-machined back to “base camp” and returned with another crate secured to a dog sled. Sunshine was loaded into this crate with assistance from Kevin. She, too, enjoyed a safe ride down the mountain to “base camp.”
Kevin tries to warm up to Bear before walking him off the mountain.
Katy and Kevin hiked out with Bear and Honey and arrived shortly after Niki and Liz at the vehicle parking with their own tales of adventure. Katy was able to attach a lead to Honey and then worked with Kevin to try to entice the last dog off the mountain, Bear. Bear was so uncomfortable with all the commotion and new volunteers he would not be coaxed from his dog house. Katy and Kevin had to lift the roof off his dog house in order to attach a lead. They had just moved Bear away from “his” dog house, when he ducked into a neighboring dog house! Kevin was finally able to coax Bear out from that dog house, but just as they were ready to set off down the mountain, Bear made a break for cover in yet another dog house! To make the comical situation worse, Bear’s collar with attached lead slipped off over his head when Kevin was trying to coax him out. Katy blocked the entrance so Bear would not escape, while Kevin tried to remove the roof. Bear who was frightened by the banging on the dog house roof, decided to poke his head out just far enough for Katy to sneak a slip lead on him. From there, the two volunteers were able to place a regular collar and lead on Bear. The last two dogs finally began their decent from the mountain with Bear insisting on hiking-out last, with Honey in the lead.
With all the “Eight Above” malamutes removed safely from the mountain heights, the MMR team said their good-byes to Rod and Tim, quickly loaded the dogs into the vehicles, and drove toward Companion Animal Clinic. Kevin donated more of his time at the clinic helping the MMR team unload malamute-occupied crates from the vehicles.
Dr. Thomi and his assistant were professional and kind to the dogs and to the volunteers. Dr. Thomi thoroughly examined and vaccinated each dog, and made recommendations for follow-up care. The team was particularly worried about Dolly’s health, but Dr. Thomi declared her quite fit for a long retirement in a new home. All of the “Eight Above” malamutes had dry, crusty noses from exposure to the elements and were in desperate need of grooming. Overall, the pack was in excellent health considering their hardships, which was another reason for the team to celebrate! Close to 9:30 pm, after several hours at the veterinary clinic, the MMR team and all eight dogs packed up for the last leg of their adventure.
Guardian Kennels in Montana City had generously offered to work with MMR and their parent organization, the Alaskan Malamute Assistance League (AMAL) to provide a temporary home for the “Eight Above” malamutes. Road-weary, the expedition arrived at Guardian Kennels around 10 pm. The West family and Grandma Brenda descended on the team with energetic offers of assistance and welcome laughter. The West family and Grandma Brenda helped the volunteers unload malamutes and place them in pairs in exercise runs. The malamutes stretched their legs and happily explored their yards, unhindered by chains. The facility was beautiful and secure. The knowledge and pride of those working at Guardian Kennels was apparent as was their obvious love of dogs. The MMR operation volunteers had confidence that the “Eight Above” were in excellent hands.
At 12:30 am the volunteers drove back to Helena for some much needed sleep. When morning dawned, the MMR team made one last stop on their way home. The West family kindly agreed to open the closed facility and let the team see the “Eight Above” to say their temporary good-bys. Dolly, Tank, Sweet Pea, Honey, Bear, Brando, Pumpkin, and Sunshine each roamed with a buddy in large exercise yards. The team was amazed at how every dog’s demeanor and energy level had increased with just one night’s care. Treats and praise were readily accepted by the dogs as Katy took new photos of the pack. With many hugs and “thank yous” for the West Family and Grandma Brenda, the team found their vital role as first responders in the mission at a close.
While the volunteers’ initial rescue goals may have been met, the “Eight Above” rescue is not over! In the movie Eight Below weather and a lack of human planning stranded the pack of dogs, which is also true of the “Eight Above” pack. In the “Eight Above” rescue operation, reality was that if Tim and Rod had not been able to find volunteers willing to help, the dogs easily could have died on the mountain. If the “Eight Above” can teach pet owners a moral, it is to plan for life-time care for their pets in the event of death, because real-life is no Hollywood story! The rescue continues as the eight surviving malamutes, Sweet Pea, Dolly, Tank, Sunshine, Pumpkin, Bear, Honey, and Brando search for foster homes, or better yet, their “happily ever after” ending with an adoptive family. The mission now is to find special families to give these amazing malamutes who suffered so much new loving forever homes. Please see their listings in the Adoptable Mals section.
Please visit our Foster Program page to learn more about fostering.
Update as of 8/18/10
Sunshine has been adopted by Jim B. and family.
Bear has been adopted by Thomas O. and family and his new name is Yoda.
Dolly has been adopted by Freddie and John Q.
Honey has been adopted by Kristina H.
Sweet Pea has been adopted by Mark S. and family.
Tank had some serious health issues, so it was decided to let the sweet old boy go. RIP, Tank.
Pumpkin is now with the Oregon Mal Rescue, CAMEO, and is being fostered with longtime Mal owner, rescuer and fosterer, Luana R.
Brando is now with the Washington Mal Rescue, WAMAL and being fostered with Gayle N.
As of 5/19/10, all the Eight Above Mals have been adopted or are in foster care and out of boarding! Thanks to all who stepped forward for these older Mals so in need of care and personal attention!
Tank gets some love and attention from Jaime McDaniel, a local dog lover, who volunteered to brush and give the kenneled dogs some much needed one on one attention.
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Moonsong Malamute Rescue volunteers, Liz Copp, Niki Tischhauser, Katy Flanagan and Freddie Qualls get ready to head up the Rimini Road towards the mountain top where the eight Alaskan Malamutes were stranded.
Tim Moomey and Rod Caughey get ready to take snow mobiles into Lambattis' property where the Mals are located. Freddie rode on the snowmobile with Rod and the live traps she had ordered to catch the loose dogs.
Liz and Niki get ready to cross country ski up the road and trail.
Niki skiing up the trail with Katy behind skijoring with Tasha. The terrain was a little steeper than the rescue group anticipated.
In order to try to catch the loose dogs, Katy baits the live trap with green tripe as Rod looks on.
Amazingly, Rod was able to approach and leash Tank, a red and white male, who was loose.
Sweet Pea was able to be captured in deeper snow which restricted her movement.
Sweet Pea patiently waits while Niki and Liz remove huge snow balls from her long haired paws before the trek down the mountain.
Sweet Pea, Liz and Tank heading down the mountain.
Sweet Pea enjoys a long drink of water - the first she had in months, having survived on just snow for water on the remote mountain top.
Dolly rode in a crate that was secured to a sled behind Rod's snow mobile.
 Liz gets "pulled" down the mountain by Brando.
Pumpkin and Niki make the trek down the mountain.
Bear was good at ducking into any empty dog house and had to be extracted from two dog houses by removing the roofs!
All the dogs are finally off the mountain as Kevin with Bear and Katy with Honey finally get to the "base camp".
Dr. Thomi and his assistant examine Dolly.
Liz and Niki get ready to load Brando back in the vehicle and over to the boarding kennel.
Freddie gives Brando a big hug at the boarding kennel. Freddie ended up adopting Dolly!
Kristina Howell, a Moonsong supporter, adopter and volunteer, gives Honey a much needed brushing. Kristina ended up adopting Honey! |
