A hiker stranded 15,000 feet up in Peru’s Santa Cruz mountains has credited a stray dog with guiding him to safety.
The man, known on social media as “El Güero Inglés” (The Blond Englishman), recounted the extraordinary tale while hiking the Santa Cruz circuit near Huaraz.
Separated from his group on the second day of the trek, the man found himself navigating treacherous conditions, including thick fog, snow, and ice, en route to the Punta Unión pass.
Just as he began to feel disoriented, a stray dog emerged from the mist and appeared to take charge.
“I decided to trust his knowledge of the mountain,” the hiker told Italian newspaper La Stampa.
He described following the dog as it confidently led him along mountain paths and eventually directed him to a sign pointing toward Punta Unión.
Once at the top, the dog waited with him in silence until the rest of the hiking group arrived.
The bond didn’t end there. The loyal stray stayed with the group for the remainder of their journey.
Remarkably, when they returned to camp, another dog was waiting for them. Both dogs accompanied the hikers for the remaining 13.5 miles of the trek.
Locals later explained to the British tourist that dogs in the area are known to follow hikers and act as informal guides.
The hiker documented his experience on Instagram, sharing videos of the dog leading the way.
In one clip, he can be heard jokingly telling the canine, “If we get lost, I’m blaming you. You’re in charge now.”
The heartwarming story has drawn comparisons to Lassie, the iconic fictional collie known for her rescue missions, highlighting how a four-legged companion became an unlikely hero high in the Andes.