Dog Found Alive After More Than 50 Hours in Alaska Wilderness Following Avalanche

A terrifying avalanche left two hikers injured and a beloved family dog missing in the freezing Alaska wilderness. More than two days later, rescuers made an incredible discovery: the dog was still alive, standing in the snow.

An Avalanche Separates LouLou From Her Owner

LouLou, a 4-year-old huskydoodle — a mix of husky and poodle — was hiking with her owner, Brian, and his friend in Alaska’s Chugach State Park near Eklutna Lake on October 10 when an avalanche swept the men roughly 500 feet down a mountainside.

Both men survived but suffered serious injuries and were taken to the hospital. LouLou, however, was nowhere to be found.

Her disappearance left the family facing an agonizing uncertainty. No one knew whether she had been caught in the avalanche, injured during the fall, buried beneath the snow, or frightened and hiding somewhere in the vast wilderness.

Her Family Refused to Give Up

Lauren Padawer, Brian’s partner and LouLou’s other owner, was out of the country when the avalanche happened. Despite the distance, she immediately began organizing a search for the missing dog.

She contacted animal rescue groups, hiking communities and other people who might be able to help. Early search efforts failed to locate LouLou, but the team continued looking for any sign of her.

One important clue was that LouLou was wearing an Apple AirTag. Although the mountainous terrain and difficult weather made it challenging to pinpoint her location, the device eventually helped rescuers narrow down the search area.

Rescuers Spot a Sign of Hope

After more than 50 hours, searchers Amanda Barker and Dave Beckett returned by helicopter after receiving an AirTag signal.

From the air, they spotted LouLou standing in the snow. She was alive.

The rescuers landed as close as they could, then spent about 20 minutes making their way through deep snow to reach her. As they called her name, LouLou barked in response.

She was initially hesitant, but the pair eventually managed to put a leash on her. They carefully made their way back down the mountainside and returned to the helicopter with the dog safely in their care.

Footage of the rescue showed LouLou receiving affection from her rescuers during the flight — a welcome moment after more than two days alone in the wilderness.

A Family’s Gratitude After a Frightening Ordeal

Padawer expressed heartfelt thanks to Barker, Beckett, other searchers, military pararescue personnel and everyone who helped bring LouLou home.

“I will never forget what you did for LouLou, for Brian, his hiking partner, and for me,” she wrote in a Facebook post. She added that the experience reminded her “how extraordinary people can be.”

LouLou’s survival is a remarkable outcome after an ordeal in which her family had no way of knowing what had happened to her. The determination of the search team, along with the clue provided by her AirTag, helped turn a frightening disappearance into a reunion.

After more than 50 hours in the Alaska wilderness, LouLou was finally found alive — thanks to a family that kept searching and rescuers who refused to give up.