Twenty-one-year-old Amelia Milling, a deaf student from Tennessee, set off on a challenging three-day solo hike in Alaska’s Crow Pass Trail, eager to connect with nature and test her limits. However, her adventure turned perilous when she lost her balance and fell nearly 700 feet down a snowy mountainside after her trekking poles broke. Tumbling first 300 feet, then crashing into a boulder, she slid another 300 feet, leaving her bruised and disoriented.
Despite the injuries, Amelia was fortunate to encounter a white husky named Nanook, a trained trail guide dog wearing a collar marked “guide.” Initially mistaking him for a wolf, Amelia soon realized Nanook was there to help—leading her safely back to the trail and staying by her side throughout the night to offer comfort and warmth.
The following day, Amelia attempted to cross a river but was pulled under by the fierce current. In a desperate, life-saving moment, Nanook jumped into the icy water, grabbed the strap of Amelia’s backpack, and dragged her to safety. Once safe on shore, Amelia activated her GPS locator, alerting rescue teams.
Alaska State Troopers responded swiftly, airlifting Amelia to safety with Nanook faithfully accompanying her. The dog’s owner was surprised to learn Nanook had strayed so far during the rescue, but Nanook’s heroic efforts have earned him widespread praise as Alaska’s “Lassie.”
Nanook’s history of rescues is inspiring; he had previously saved a young girl from a similar river accident, reinforcing his status as a remarkable guardian of the wilderness.
