The Team

Matt Gunn

Starting his ski patrol carreer at Ohau in 1992, Matt then moved to Treble Cone in 1998, where he and Blizzid became TCs first avalanche dog team in 2000. The founder of Aspiring Avalanche Dogs, Matt maintains a strong connection with TC Patrol, where he still works part-time, while being the operations manager for the AAD team.

Callum Grant

Now with his second dog Zeffer, the big CG is also 2nd in charge of the Treble Cone snow safety program in winter and an alpine guide in summer. His guiding skills making him a real asset to the AAD, team Callum is our go-to man for anything that involves ropes and crampons!

Brendan Kearns

A part of the local hardcore crew, having skied at Treble Cone since Adam was a cowboy, Brendan and his young family are now settled in Luggate. Second in charge of the Treble Cone ski patrol, he is the consummate mountain professional with great skills and a level head, making him a valued member of AAD. Now teamed up with Tussock, Doon is looking to turn this his second black lab into another avalanche dog legend, like Millie before her!

Rocket

Handler: Matt Gunn

3/4 Border and 1/4 Rough Collie cross, Rocket is a friendly hound with a loving nature is a real character! Full of energy with a strong desire to please and love of playing games he is a real weapon. Rocket is proving to be very popular at our fundraising events!

Zeffer

Handler: Callum Grant

An energetic and curious both at home and at work in the snow. He has shown excellent drive and natural ability to search and work with his handler. He also loves a long swim and singing along to Italian opera. His friendly nature makes him a ‘pat magnet’ with the kids and adults alike.

Tussock

Handler: Brendan Kearns

A real pocket rocket, Tussock has taken to snow like the proverbial duck to water. Seen here learning how to cope with the social pressures of being a media hound she has a great personality and a wonderful friendly nature.

Wizzid

Handler: Matt Gunn

A full blooded Border Collie Wizzid is as sharp as a whip, with a huge drive to please and loving nature. These traits coupled with his drive for a game (any game!) and energy to burn makes Wizzid ideally suited for a life as an avalanche search dog, and being pretty cute will also be an asset as we take our mountain safety and dog responsibility message to schools in the region.

Blizzid

(1999-2015)

The Matriarch of AAD, Blizzid retired at the end of the 2011 season, after nine years as an operational avalanche dog. During this time she was deployed ten times and endured many fundraisers and presentations, in fact possibly having more images taken of her than the Treble Cone cat! Blizz lived out her senior years in front of the log fire and on the sunny spot on the deck at Matt and Ems place, before she passed away late in 2015. She may go down in history as Treble Cones first ever avalanche dog, but to Matt she will be remembered as the most loyal dog a man could ever have…good girl Blizz!

Millie

(2001-2015)

Sadly no longer with us, Millie was a strong and determined dog, with an unstoppable drive and an amaizing nose! With ten years as an operational search dog, she was Treble Cone’s second ever avalanche dog and a real asset to the team. Being deployed on six searches, Millie was able to help confirm that there was no one to find on every occasion - a real asset indeed! Millie loved people almost as much as she loved search and was often seen outside the Patrol hut at Treble Cone in her Doggles lapping up the attention. She is missed but her memory lives on. Good Milbo.

Zeppelin

(2007-2011)

Tragedy struck on November 2011 with the sudden loss of Zepp. His death struck a significant blow to our team, not only in the loss of a team member but the tragic circumstances in which Zepp died. It serves as a reminder to us all to be vigilant about keeping our dogs safe and secure. Zepp is dearly missed by Callum and us all, he was such an affectionate dog with huge personality and was an exceptional avalanche dog.

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