Trek trauma as sled dog Luna disappears
Michael puts adventure on hold to find beloved pal
A Dunkeld man’s Alaskan husky that is accompanying him on a 5000 mile coast-to-coast trek across Canada has gone missing.
Former sled dog Luna vanished in dense forest on Friday morning whilst the pair were portaging from the southern tip of Bear River to New Portage on Namakan Lake, which borders Minnesota, USA.
Owner Michael Yellowlees and Luna had started their canoeing section of the trek from Fort Frances to Thunder Bay a few days prior, and were roughly halfway through their country-spanning journey.
They started the astonishing trek in British Columbia on the Pacific coast in March, with their goal to arrive in Newfoundland on the Atlantic coast by October.
So far they have raised just over £9800, all in aid of Trees for Life, a Scottish non-profit organisation dedicated to rewilding the Caledonian Pine Forest in the Highlands.
However, the trek has taken a drastic turn with Michael, who is based in Canada, planning to stay in the area for several days to search for Luna.
On Sunday evening, brother Jamie and friend Wayne posted on Michael and Luna’s Facebook page dedicated to their charity Canada trek: “On behalf of Michael we are having, with heavy hearts, to put this post out to you all.
“Luna has been missing since Friday morning.
“Michael and Luna started their canoeing section from Fort Frances to Thunder Bay a few days ago.
“As many of you will know, this section of their journey is very isolated and the terrain is very challenging.
“Luna went missing in the dense forest with her lead on whilst they were portaging from the southern tip of Bear River to New Portage on Namakan Lake.
“We are therefore worried that her lead may have got caught in something, leaving her stuck in the dense vegetation.
“Michael has been searching continuously, unable to get help with no wifi/signal, and had to paddle three hours, to get a signal to contact Wayne Chisholm, his close friend who lives in Canada.
“Michael has based himself at a cabin (Lat: 48°28’07.0”N Long: 92°35’27.3”W) by the dock at New Portage, Ontario, since Friday.
“Wayne is attempting to coordinate help.
“Michael is now on his way back across the water to the same cabin to continue looking. He plans to stay put for several days.
“We are sure any of you reading this, like us, might feel helpless to know what to do.
“If any of you have any ideas or contacts that could help us locate Luna, please do not hesitate to contact us.
“Please keep your lovely comments and messages flowing for them.
“They will mean so much to them and now more than ever this is needed.”
To see the Facebook page go to www. facebook.com/MichaelandLuna
To donate go to www.justgiving. com/fundraising/michaelandlunar ewild?fbclid=IwAR3YGvZsLTBPEq iT5-_hlv8gnJXD1edwIgpMITlnOxp3QAD4Zkno6KO1qk