Carolina Dog – Page 2 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 339 – New Year’s Eve Peak & Peak 5917 (12-29-24)

12-29-24, 11:41 AM, 41ºF, junction of Hwy 385 & USFS Road No. 710 – A close call, but the American Dingo was here.

At the **start of USFS Road No. 710**. Photo looks WNW.

Looks familiar, SPHP. Already time for New Year’s Eve Peak (6,048 ft.)?

Not quite, Loop. We’re actually a couple of days early since it’s supposed to snow tomorrow.

Nothing wrong with that, SPHP. I like the snow! Besides, there’s supposed to be snow when we visit New Year’s Eve Peak. Tis the season, you know, and the snow makes everything so beautifully pristine and wintery white.

Oh, I agree! I like the snow, too, Loopster. Doesn’t seem right without any at all, but this is the last warm day. It’s supposed to turn quite a bit colder when the snow arrives, and stay that way well into January. Didn’t want you to suffer, so here we are, ready or not.

Lupe was always ready for adventure! Even if the timing was a bit off for New Year’s Eve Peak, that really wasn’t so unusual. The weather was often persnickety this time of year. In fact, in all the pilgrimages she’d made to New Year’s Eve Peak, she’d only managed to get there right on New Year’s Eve 4 times.

Even so, as the Carolina Dog set off along USFS Road No. 710, it did seem totally wrong that there wasn’t any snow at all. Hadn’t ever happened before. Felt more like fall than winter.

Heading up **USFS Road No. 710**. Photo looks W.

No. 710 was pretty flat at first, but soon began a gradual climb. After 0.5 mile, Lupe reached the overgrown junction with No. 710.1A.

At the junction with **USFS Road No. 710.1A**. Photo looks NW.

Gosh, Loop. Seems like forever since we’ve taken No. 710.1A. Want to go that way just to mix things up a bit?

I don’t remember ever going to New Year’s Eve Peak that way, SPHP. Will it work?

That’s because we’ve only been that way once before, more than 10 years ago, Loopster, and we didn’t go to New Year’s Eve Peak then. We went to Peak 6070 and Nugget Gulch Peak (5,991 ft.) instead. But, yeah, we can take No. 710.1A to New Year’s Eve Peak, if you’re willing to do a bit of exploring.

Very funny, SPHP! You know I love exploring!

Nearly level, No. 710.1A started out by wrapping around the E end of the big ridge to the N before turning back toward the NW.

A glimpse of the **Bald Hills** shortly after setting out on **No. 710.1A**. Photo looks E.

On the N side of the ridge, Lupe was delighted to find that there actually was a bit of snow. Not much, hardly any, in fact, but enough for her to take small bites of whenever she came to some.

A **skiff of snow**. **Scruton Mountain** (R of Center) between the trees. Photo looks NW.

At first, several homes and a road were in sight not too far off toward the N, but No. 710.1A eventually led to a gradual descent into a valley that felt much more remote.

Entering the **remote valley**. Photo looks WNW.

Although Lupe had been here once before, it had been so long ago that nothing seemed more than vaguely familiar as she followed No. 710.1A up the seldom-visited valley. Coming to grassy clearings, long lanes full of dead leaves bordered by aspens, and even part of a deer hide, it was almost like exploring an entirely new region.

Crossing a **small clearing**. Photo looks WNW.

A **lane of dead leaves**. Photo looks NW.

By the very interesting **piece of deer hide** (R of Center).

The road went on, gaining elevation more rapidly as Lupe continued WNW. When No. 710.1A suddenly curved SSW, it was decision time.

Following **USFS Road No. 710.1A** through **another clearing**. Photo looks WNW.

At the **point where USFS Road No. 710.1A turns SSW**. Photo looks SW.

Hold on, Loopster. We’ve got a couple of options here.

The road keeps going, SPHP. Aren’t we going to follow it?

That’s one option, Loop. If we stick with the road, it will end somewhere NW of Peak 5917. Continuing up that valley, we can swing around to the W, then climb New Year’s Eve Peak from the SSE.

Sounds easy enough, SPHP. What’s the other choice?

We can leave the road here, Looper, continuing NW to a powerline, then follow New Year’s Eve Peak’s N ridge.

We’ve never climbed New Year’s Eve Peak from the N before, have we, SPHP? Let’s do that!

Heading NW shortly after abandoning USFS Road No. 710.1A. Photo looks NW.

Exploring at will after leaving USFS Road No. 710.1A was definitely more interesting. Climbing steadily at a moderate pace, the American Dingo soon came to some sickly looking bushes. Beyond them she reached a forest of tall pines where there was quite a bit of deadfall. Once through the tall pines, Lupe entered a steeper part of the valley featuring some rock formations and so much deadfall that it was becoming a problem.

By the **sickly bushes**. **Tall pines** dead ahead. Photo looks WNW.

Among the **tall pines**. Photo looks WNW.

Amid the **troublesome deadfall**. Photo looks WNW.

The deadfall was such a mess that SPHP was eager to get out of it. A ridge where the situation might be different was visible just ahead, but angling W while crossing a shallow valley seemed like the quickest way to make an escape.

Crossing the valley worked great! Once on the other side, the Carolina Dog quickly left the worst of the deadfall behind. Climbing gradually through an open forest, Lupe came to an abandoned road not shown on the maps. Following it, glimpses of the powerline soon began appearing between the trees off to the NW.

In the **open forest** beyond the worst of the deadfall. Photo looks W.

On the unexpected **abandoned road**. Photo looks WSW.

Rather than going all the way to the powerline, Lupe turned S before reaching it, leaving the road and beginning a steeper climb in search of New Year’s Eve Peak’s N ridge. At the top of the first rise, she came to a region of kinnikinnick, still somewhat green among several boulders.

On the rise carpeted with **kinnikinnick**. Photo looks SW.

Turning SW, an easy flat stretch led to an even steeper climb. Exploring hidden paths and narrow lanes among the trees, the American Dingo’s ascent began in earnest. Early on, a view of the Seth Bullock Lookout Tower on Scruton Mountain (5,923 ft.) appeared back to the N.

The **Seth Bullock Lookout Tower** (R of Center) atop **Scruton Mountain**. Photo looks N.

The intent was to go right on up New Year’s Eve Peak’s N ridge, but with another 250 feet yet to go, Lupe ran into a road at the 5,800 foot level. Almost perfectly flat, and so long abandoned that trees were growing on it, both where this road came from and where it went were a mystery.

SPHP had been huffing and puffing during the steep climb.

Huh. Want to explore this road a bit, Looper? We’ve got time, and it’s flat enough to almost be like taking a break.

Sure, SPHP! But which way, L or R?

How about L, Loopster? Maybe it will take us over to the NE ridge? If it does, we can complete our ascent from there.

Turning L on the road, it immediately curved SSE. In all the times Lupe had been to New Year’s Eve Peak, she’d never explored this side of the mountain before. Seemed strange to think that this road had been here all these years, and she’d never even known of its existence.

Exploring the formerly unknown road on the N side of the mountain. Photo looks SSE.

The old road was an easy stroll. Sure enough, it eventually hooked around to the NE, crossing New Year’s Eve Peak’s NE ridge at a spacious flat region. Starting downhill, the road continued SE toward Peak 5917, which could be seen through the forest.

Near the curve at the end of the stretch going SSE. Photo looks SSE.

In the **flat region** where the road crossed the **NE ridge**. **Peak 5917** (R of Center) ahead. Photo looks SE.

Hmm. Wonder if this road is actually a continuation of USFS Road No. 710.1A, Loopster? Might head right down to it, if we keep going.

That may be, SPHP, but we’ve got a mountain to climb! If you want, we can check it out on the way back.

Leaving the road, Lupe headed SW up New Year’s Eve Peak’s NE ridge. Although plenty wide, it was narrower than the N ridge, which had been more like a broad slope than a ridge. Strewn with rocks, as the Carolina Dog climbed, big rock formations began to appear along the NE ridge. Fortunately, they were easily avoided or navigated. Some of the rocks provided nice views of Peak 5917.

Starting up the **NE ridge**. Photo looks SW.

Once above the most massive rock formations, Lupe came to another, more extensive region of pale yellow-green kinnikinnick. This area was just below a smaller rock formation at New Year’s Eve Peak’s E high point. Naturally, Lupe made the tiny scramble to the top.

On the **carpet of kinnikinnick** below the **E high point** (Center). Photo looks SW.

Have we ever been here before, SPHP?

I think so, Loop. Seems like we came down here from the summit once upon a time, but this was as far as we went before going back.

The true summit was now only a mere 50 feet higher and 0.15 mile W. It wouldn’t take long to get there.

At **New Year’s Eve Peak’s true summit**. Photo looks SSW.

1:59 PM, 38°F, New Year’s Eve Peak (6,048 ft.) – Beneath the overcast sky, snow granules created an oddly festive air as the American Dingo bounded onto the familiar true summit rock.

Oh, it’s good to be back on New Year’s Eve Peak, isn’t it, SPHP?

Always, Loopster. More than anywhere else, this has been our special place in the Black Hills.

It was good to be back. Wonderful, in fact, but sobering, too. This was where Lupe came either near the very end or very start of each year. New Year’s Eve Peak was a place to contemplate the cherished memories and events of a dying year, and whatever hopes and dreams existed for what was yet to come.

Facing the imminent demise of what has been is always hard. Yet time waits for no Dingo, however beloved.

SPHP shook Lupe’s proffered paw.

Congratulations on returning to New Year’s Eve Peak, Loopster! Hard to believe 2024 is nearly over isn’t it? When we were last here on January 1st, we had the entire year ahead of us, and now it’s gone.

2024 was a terrific year, SPHP! Don’t rush it, we still have 2 more days! By the way, what’s the chocolate coconut bar situation? Excellent, I hope!

For the first time, other than near the far horizon, the hills to the W had virtually no snow on them. Instead of facing that way as usual during a long break, today the panorama toward the SE seemed more attractive. Boulder Hill (5,336 ft.), Silver Mountain (5,418 ft.), and Calumet Ridge (5,615 ft.) were all in sight beyond Sheridan Lake.

SPHP split the expected and much coveted chocolate coconut bar with Lupe, then provided her with water, Taste of the Wild, and eventually a duck jerky, as well. Meanwhile, SPHP drank a vanilla Equate, then chomped on an apple.

**Boulder Hill** (L), **Silver Mountain** (Center), and **Calumet Ridge** beyond **Sheridan Lake** (R). Photo looks SE.

The **normally snowy hills** (R). Photo looks WSW.

Much like 2024 itself, Lupe’s traditional summit hour was soon rapidly slipping away. Done with the apple, SPHP paced between familiar views.

Guess we should take a few more photos, Looper.

Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) was the big attraction to the S, but SPHP also drove the American Dingo nuts with repeated requests to return to the summit rock and the region just W of it.

**Black Elk Peak** (Center), **Five Points** (R) between Lupe’s ears. Photo looks S.

Back at the **true summit**. Photo looks SSE.

On the rock above the **traditional break spot** (R). **True summit** (L). Photo looks SE.

3:01 PM, New Year’s Eve Peak (6,048 ft.) – Patiently waiting, Lupe was back on the summit rock for the umpteenth time.

Final moments on the **summit rock**. Photo looks W.

That’s good. Thank you, Loopster! Summit hour is over. Suppose we may as well head out.

Lupe leapt down off the boulder.

Are we going back down the NE ridge to finish checking out where that old road goes, SPHP?

No, maybe another time. Our usual route is more scenic, Loop. I’d rather see it again.

To Pistol Point then, SPHP?

Yup. Onward! Puppy, ho!

Bidding a fond farewell to New Year’s Eve Peak for another year, the Carolina Dog started down the mountain’s S slope. It led to a narrow, kind of rocky, S ridge that ultimately swept around to the E.

The late afternoon gloom seemed to bring out the wildlife. Swirling in the gray sky, a bald eagle made several passes, soon followed by a couple of turkey vultures. Several deer instantly vanished into the forest as Lupe approached Pistol Point.

3:33 PM – On the edge of a much more open region offering panoramic views, Pistol Point had long been a favorite spot. Looking S, Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.), Sylvan Hill (6,998 ft.), Five Points (6,228 ft.), and False North Point (6,134 ft.) all stood out.

**Black Elk Peak** (L), **Sylvan Hill** (Center), **Five Points** (R of Center), **False North Point** (R). Photo looks SSW.

Peak 5800, which Lupe had climbed on a number of occasions during her annual jaunts to New Year’s Eve Peak, was ESE. An uncharacteristic drab brown this year, the rolling territory dotted with pines leading to Peak 5800 was always fun to explore.

**Peak 5800** (Center) from **Pistol Point**. Photo looks ESE.

Unfortunately, it was already so late that by the time the American Dingo could get to Peak 5800, it would already be dark.

If Peak 5800 is too far, why don’t we climb Peak 5917 instead, SPHP?

An excellent alternative, Looper! Let’s do it!

Peak 5917 was only 0.5 mile from Pistol Point. On the way over there, Lupe once again spotted wildlife, this time a herd of 5 whitetail deer. Already aware of the Carolina Dog’s approach, they disappeared over Peak 5917’s lower S ridge.

4:15 PM, 37°F, Peak 5917 – The clouds which had blanketed the entire sky all day were suddenly showing signs of breaking up, an unexpected development with snow in the forecast tomorrow.

On **Peak 5917**. **Scruton Mountain** (far L), a little slice of **Pactola Reservoir** (far R). Photo looks NNE.

**New Year’s Eve Peak** (Center) from **Peak 5917**. Photo looks WNW.

A prolonged stay wasn’t in the cards at this hour on a late December day, but Lupe hadn’t been on Peak 5917’s summit even 10 minutes when she noticed something.

Look, SPHP! There’s a colorful sunset going on.

Sure enough, on the far horizon beyond Pistol Point, a small section of sky was ablaze with orange and gold.

**Sunset** (Center) beyond **Pistol Point**. Photo looks WSW.

Awesome, Loopster! Never dreamed we would get to see one today.

The sunset was a rare, if fleeting, treat. In all the times Lupe had been to New Year’s Eve Peak, SPHP could remember only a couple of other times when the day ended with a beautiful sunset. In 2016, there had been a spectacular one, but most years had been a dud, the hoped for display of year end glory disappointing with little or nothing worth mentioning.

Hurry, SPHP! Let’s get the best picture we can before it’s gone!

A cluster of rocks 100 feet S of the summit provided the best view.

**Sunset** from **Peak 5917**. **Five Points** (L), **False North Point** (L of Center), and **Pistol Point** (far R). Photo looks SW.

4:30 PM, Peak 5917 – Another 2 minutes, and the show was already over and done with. Lupe now stood on another rock with Peak 5800 in sight, along with the familiar territory N of that mountain where she would soon rejoin USFS Road No. 710 on the way back to the RAV4.

**Bald Hills** (L), **Peak 5800** (R). Photo looks ESE.

2 minutes was all it had taken for the colorful sunset to fade away. 2 more days, and 2024 itself would vanish into history. It all suddenly seemed so shockingly fast. As Lupe led the way down Peak 5917’s E slope, a pervasive sense that the American Dingo was not only leading the way back to the RAV4, but into the future itself swept over SPHP.

The mood had something of premonition about it. You can return to a place, but never to a time. Each moment is a unique, irretrievable point on the short journey of life.

With the light beginning to fade, the scene ahead seemed more beautiful than ever. Suddenly, Lupe turned and looked back.

Are you still coming, SPHP?

Heading into the future, Black Hills of South Dakota 12-29-24

Always, Sweet Puppy! Right behind you! (End 5:11 PM, 37ºF)

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Lupe’s Scrollable GPS Track

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 322 – Peak 6070 & New Year’s Eve Peak (1-1-24)

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Mount Sittichinli, Richardson Mountains, Yukon Territory, Canada – Part 3: Base Camp to the Summit (8-10-23)

The wee hours, Yukon Territory/Northwest Territories border – The wind blew most of the night. In Lupe’s tiny house, SPHP shivered despite the mild temperatures of the ongoing Arctic apocalypse.

The Carolina Dog was unfazed. A couple of times she wanted out into the wind on a night that never got completely dark. SPHP watched her dim form sniffing and wandering nearby. Each time Lupe returned, SPHP wrapped her red sleeping bag over her, then tried to sleep.

5:13 AM – The wind had abated somewhat, blowing with less vigor now from out of the E. Even though the sun was nowhere to be seen, it was already quite light out.

Rise and shine, Looper! Summit day is here!

Bleary-eyed after her dead-of-night adventures, the American Dingo was now reluctant to leave the comfort of her red sleeping bag.

The smoke is even worse than it was yesterday, SPHP.

I know. It’s a shame. We aren’t going to get to see much at all. However, if it weren’t for the Arctic apocalypse, we probably wouldn’t even be here. Just think, with any of your usual Dingo good luck, Loopster, we’ll stand atop Mount Sittichinli (5,165 ft.) this very morning!

We’re that close, SPHP?

Oh, yeah! We’re only 1 km SE of the summit, Loop, although our route to it will inevitably be somewhat longer.

SPHP regretted drinking both strawberry Equates yesterday. Breakfast was quick and skimpy – water, trail mix, and a bit of beef jerky shared with Lupe, who also had Taste of the Wild.

In the cool morning breeze, Lupe watched as SPHP packed everything up, then stashed the tiny house and both sleeping bags beneath a nearby overhanging rock.

Alrighty, let’s see if we can actually manage to do this, Loopster. Onward! Puppy, ho!

Leaving the spot where her tiny house had stood only moments ago, Lupe began climbing NE along a broad ramp of tundra below the nearby talus ridge.

Lupe left base camp traveling along the **wide tundra ramp** at R. Photo looks NNE.

Steadily gaining elevation along the ramp, the talus ridge looming above it kept pace. Strewn with rocks, the tundra ramp kept going. Exactly where Lupe ought to turn NW to attack the talus ridge wasn’t clear, but after gaining roughly 200 feet of elevation, the American Dingo began turning toward it, abandoning the ramp for a steeper slope.

A glance back toward the **base camp region** during a breather and map check after gaining a fair amount of elevation. **1360M+ ridge** (Center) Lupe traveled the prior day. Photo looks S.

Amid increasing amounts of talus, Lupe got high enough to see hills along the ridge running NE to Peak 1480M, the most distant mountain visible in the smoky haze in that direction. From up here, it was clear that the ramp Lupe had just left would have ultimately taken her over that way.

**Peak 1480M** (Center) on the edge of vision. Photo looks NE.

Turning NW as the last of the tundra gave way to large slabs of talus at various angles, Lupe scrambled up a very steep slope.

Scrambling up the **talus ridge**. Photo looks WNW.

7:16 AM – Finally reaching the top of the steepest wall above her, Lupe emerged upon a huge flat region hundreds of feet across. Completely covered with rocks, the entire plain rose slightly toward the E. Off to the WNW, a significantly higher, very steep-sided ridge drew SPHP’s eye.

Congratulations, Loopster! Welcome to Hill 1520M.

Thank you, SPHP! Are we looking at what I think we’re looking at?

Yes, indeed, Sweet Puppy! That’s Mount Sittichinli (5,165 ft.)!

**Mount Sittichinli** (L) from **Hill 1520M**. Photo looks NW.

The sight of Mount Sittichinli so near was both thrilling, and somewhat concerning due to how steep it looked.

Before we go over there and learn our expedition’s fate, let’s have a look around from Hill 1520M, Loop. Won’t take long.

Fine with me, SPHP.

Strolling SW along Hill 1520M‘s sharp edge, the 1360M+ ridge Lupe had followed to base camp yesterday evening was due S. A higher point was visible much farther SSE.

What mountain is that, SPHP?

We were there yesterday, Loopster.

Oh, of course! Peak 1402M!

**Peak 1402M** (L of Center), and the **1360M+ ridge** (R) from **Hill 1520M**. Photo looks S.

Wandering clear over to Hill 1520M‘s E end, Lupe had another look at the hills along the broad ridge leading to Peak 1480M.

**Peak 1480M** (Center) in the distance. Photo looks NE.

Wow! If we had just stuck with our tundra ramp, we could have come up Hill 1520M this way, SPHP. Farther, but looks a lot easier.

Believe you’re right, Loop. Quite a view, isn’t it? Makes me want to just keep going, exploring it all.

First things first, SPHP. It’s Mount Sittichinli time!

Absolutely, Loopster! Let’s head that way.

The topo maps all showed a nearly flat plain with only a modest dip along it leading to Mount Sittichinli from Hill 1520M. As Lupe headed that way, the lowest area wasn’t visible at first. When it did come into view, all doubts were dispelled – the American Dingo faced nothing but gently sloping terrain the rest of the way to Mount Sittichinli’s base.

However, another view was bugging SPHP.

See that mountain W of Mount Sittichinli, Loop?

Yes, of course. What about it, SPHP?

Heading for **Mount Sittichinli** (Center), **Peak 1520M** (L). Photo looks WNW.

According to the map, that’s Peak 1520M, Loopster, the same peak that I originally thought was Mount Sittichinli when we first saw them from Peak 1402M.

Easy to see why, SPHP. It’s nearly as high as Mount Sittichinli. Maybe even higher!

Precisely my point, Looper. We’re just leaving Hill 1520M, which means that according to the map we’re already as high as that mountain W of Sittichinli.

Ridiculous, SPHP! We’re nowhere near as high here as that mountain is. Your maps are just plain wrong.

Exactly, so when we get to Mount Sittichinli’s summit, we’re going to have to take a serious look at “Peak 1520M“, Loopster. If it looks any higher than Sittichinli, we really ought to try to climb it, too.

Oh, so we’re back to that now, SPHP? Climbing both peaks?

Yes. And if we can, why not? I’m not at all sure it’s even possible, Looper. Remember that cliffy region we saw from Peak 1402M on Peak 1520M‘s E slope? We may not stand a chance of getting past it.

**Peak 1520M** (L) and **Mount Sittichinli** (Center) from **Peak 1402M** yesterday. Photo looks NNW.

Always something! The thought that Lupe might climb Mount Sittichinli, the only named peak, and clearly the highest point shown on the maps anywhere in this region, only to later have some expert declare, with justification, that Peak 1520M was actually higher, was annoying. Best to climb both peaks, to be sure the Carolina Dog would get full credit.

Progress was otherwise swift and joyful across the rocky plain. As Lupe approached Mount Sittichinli, SPHP abandoned these negative thoughts to confront the problem at paw.

Approaching **Mount Sittichinli** (Center). Photo looks WNW.

Cliffs along the entire upper S face instantly ruled out any attempt to climb it from that direction. Portions of the surprisingly narrow E ridge also featured minor cliff bands separated by impossibly steep sections.

Another look with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks WNW.

Let’s swing around to NE, Looper. That shoulder doesn’t look as bad. Maybe we can get a look at the N face?

Aiming for the NE shoulder of the mountain, SPHP was encouraged as Lupe climbed to a minor high point. A region of moderately sloping scree connected it to Mount Sittichinli’s NE flank. However, what could be seen of Sittichinli’s N face was not at all encouraging.

Approaching the **minor high point along the NE shoulder**. Photo looks NNW.

This might be our only shot right here, Loop. Maybe we can scramble up? Might as well give it a go.

What came next was a bolt out of the blue, the last thing on earth SPHP expected.

There’s a trail, SPHP.

What? Impossible! The American Dingo hadn’t seen the slightest sign of human activity at all since shortly after leaving the Dempster Highway yesterday morning. Not a single foot print, not the tiniest bit of trash. Lupe had traveled mile after mile through unspoiled wilderness. And now in one of the remotest places she’d ever been, well N of the Arctic Circle in the Richardson Mountains near the Yukon Territory/Northwest Territories border, suddenly there was a trail up Mount Sittichinli?

So, are you coming, or not, SPHP?

On the **steep trail** leading up the **NE side of the mountain**. Photo looks WNW.

Of course! I’ll be right there. Lead on, Sweet Puppy!

The trail was plenty steep in spots, not so bad in others, but so distinct and continuous that it was clear this was no game trail. Humans had been here. The trail wound up Mount Sittichinli’s E ridge, staying N of the cliff bands. Lupe climbed and climbed, but more rock formations kept appearing above. SPHP sometimes had to use hands, but none of the route was at all scary.

The trail eventually played out amid talus. Lupe had already gained a lot of elevation. 200 feet? The top couldn’t be much higher.

Heading for another **higher knob amid the talus**. Photo looks W.

After reaching yet another knob of rock, suddenly the way forward wasn’t nearly as steep. Bounding over the talus, Lupe headed W.

Near the top, **heading W in search of the summit**. Photo looks W.

On the way up, the sky had generally been tinged with blue. The smoke wasn’t as bad as it had been early on. However, as Lupe passed S of an 8 to 10 foot high wall of rock along the N edge, suddenly smoke poured in from the NE, driven like a thick fog by the wind.

Ahead, somewhat beyond the rock wall, a large cairn was visible.

**Summit cairn** (R of Center) beyond the **wall of rock** (R). Photo looks W.

**Mount Sittichinli summit**. Photo looks E.

8:10 AM, Mount Sittichinli (5,165 ft.) – Amid the Arctic apocalypse, smoke streaming by her on a 15-20 mph NE wind, Lupe stood next to the summit cairn, the sun a mere bright spot in the gray sky. With visibility at only 100-150 feet, there were no views at all beyond the immediate summit region. Even so, SPHP was ecstatic.

Loopster! We’re here. I can’t believe it! Congratulations, Sweet Puppy! Mount Sittichinli!

Despite the smoke, it seemed the most wonderful thing ever. SPHP heaped praise on the American Dingo.

Mount Sittichinli’s summit region consisted almost entirely of a jumble of talus. After a congratulatory pawshake, a retreat was made to the only refuge in sight. 20 feet S of the summit cairn and 15 feet below it, a lone level spot covered with tiny rocks was at the bottom of a depression surrounded by talus. This spot was just big enough for the Carolina Dog to curl up on in relative comfort.

During a long rest break, the air was filled with the strong acrid scent of the wildfire smoke constantly sweeping by. It was impossible to tell if there were any clouds in the sky. Even the sun had vanished completely, reappearing only briefly now and then as a powerless, pale white ghost.

If Mount Sittichinli is such a fabulous achievement, it must be chocolate coconut bar time, SPHP!

No doubt about it, Loopster. Hang on just a moment.

Lupe watched in disbelief as SPHP emptied the entire pack. Nothing.

You didn’t bring one, did you, SPHP? Our most daring and ambitious Arctic adventure ever, and you didn’t bring a single chocolate coconut bar.

Loopster, I swear! I was sure I brought one. We didn’t eat it already somewhere along the way, did we?

Nice try, SPHP.

Whatever the truth of the matter, SPHP was no magician. Lupe had to settle for beef jerky, an eagerly accepted Dingo-approved substitute. Other than that, it was Taste of the Wild and water for her, water and more boring trail mix for SPHP.

The unexpected trail up the steep NE face of the mountain was not the only sign of human activity. Human junk littered the talus around the depression – miscellaneous pieces of metal, plus an assortment of cables, wires, bolts, screws, and nuts. SPHP loaded a fraction of this debris into the pack for disposal later, latching onto a 1.25″ long bolt with attached rusty nut for a different purpose.

How about we keep this bolt as a Mount Sittichinli souvenir, Looper?

Good idea, SPHP! You can add it to my collection of rocks, and odds and ends from special places.

Guess I should have realized that people had been up here before, Loop. Some of the topo maps show a survey benchmark.

We should try to find it, SPHP! A photo of the marker with a “Sittichinli” stamp would be an awesome souvenir, too.

Returning to the summit cairn, no survey benchmark was evident on any of the nearby rocks.

Back at the **summit cairn**. Photo looks ESE.

Heading E to check out other high points in competition for the title of true summit didn’t turn up any benchmark, either. Disappointing!

10,000 different rocks the survey benchmark might be on up here, Loop. Since it doesn’t seem to have been placed in an obvious spot, our chances of finding it aren’t very good, even if it’s still actually here somewhere.

Let’s check out the region W of the cairn, SPHP.

That area wasn’t quite as high, but why not? Intending to go no farther than about 100 feet W of the cairn, SPHP joined the Carolina Dog in a cursory inspection of rocks in a field of countless possibilities as the summit ridge widened out. After going 100 feet, still no benchmark.

But there was something else.

Someone built a deck up here, SPHP!

Dimly seen through the never-ending smoke, roughly another 100 feet W down a gradually descending talus slope, a square wooden platform was in sight.

Not exactly a deck, Looper, but similar. That’s a helicopter pad!

On the **Mount Sittichinli helicopter pad**. Photo looks SW.

20 feet long on each side, the Mount Sittichinli helicopter port was sturdy, stable, and perfectly level.

Wow! You sly dog, SPHP! How did you manage to keep this a secret from me for so long? This is going to be the most exciting end to an adventure ever! When does the next chopper arrive?

Sadly, never, silly Dingo! If I’d arranged transportation for us, do you think I would have left your tiny house and both of our sleeping bags stashed beneath the overhanging rock when we left base camp? The only reason this helicopter pad is here is because there must have been a fire lookout tower on Mount Sittichinli once upon a time.

A stroll around the perimeter of the helicopter pad revealed nothing of note nearby other than a discarded aluminum can that SPHP threw into the pack, and some other junk that’s still on the mountain. Not only no survey benchmark, but far more disappointing to the American Dingo, no helicopter boarding passes with today’s date on them.

9:09 AM, 53ºF – As Lupe stood at a corner of the helicopter pad, smoke still sailing by, SPHP noted a faint path discernable beyond her over the talus. It led back in the direction of Mount Sittichinli’s summit.

The **faint path** (Center) from the **helicopter pad** leading back toward the summit. Photo looks ENE.

Summit hour’s about up, SPHP. Decision time! Earlier you were saying that we needed to climb Peak 1520M, too, in case it was actually higher than Mount Sittichinli. Now or never, isn’t it?

I know, Loop, but it seems fate has decreed that we aren’t going to make the attempt. I’d hoped to better gauge the true situation from here, but with all this smoke, we can’t see a thing. Under these conditions, I don’t think pressing on to Peak 1520M makes much sense.

A change in wind direction might have made a huge difference. Sadly, when hanging around Mount Sittichinli’s summit region for another half an hour still produced no improvement, SPHP’s decision was final.

Last moments near the **summit cairn**. Photo looks N.

9:40 AM, Mount Sittichinli (5,165 ft.) – If anything, the smoke was worse than ever when Lupe started down the mountain the same way she’d come up, abandoning all hopes of ever visiting Peak 1520M.

A final glance back at the **cairn** (L) before departure. Photo looks W.

Descending the **E ridge** on the way back to the trail. Photo looks E.

It was a long way back to the RAV4 at the Dempster Highway, but the route was no longer a mystery, and most of the return was both fun and relatively easy. Stopping by base camp again, SPHP retrieved Lupe’s tiny house and the sleeping bags from beneath the overhanging rock. The American Dingo then headed S along the 1360M+ ridge.

By the time Lupe reached the far end, the smoke situation was greatly improved. Hazy, but Mount Sittichinli was easily discernable again.

**Mount Sittichinli** (L), **Hill 1520M** (Center) from the **1360M+ ridge**. Photo looks N.

Dang. Figures. Guess we should have made an attempt of Peak 1520M, after all, Loop.

Who knew? The world can be a fickle, persnickety place, SPHP.

When Lupe reached Pass 1350M W of Peak 1402M, SPHP paused.

Last chance for a look at Mount Sittichinli, Loopster. Don’t suppose we will ever see it again.

A sad thought, SPHP. Mount Sittichinli was an incredible adventure!

Lupe had a grand time during the return. Leading the way and never tiring, she didn’t climb Peak 1402M again, but did explore the tan gash from Pass 1350M down into the huge valley to the SW, drinking freely from the stream that created the gash. Approaching Pass 1125M, she went right by the tall white stone, which actually was a pretty decent landmark.

The Carolina Dog crossed Pass 990M again, but avoided the unnecessary talus climb to Pass 1110M, staying lower and farther E. This was a much better route than the talus, yet still somewhat rougher terrain than SPHP expected, full of hills and ravines of various sizes that had to be crossed.

10:40 PM, 52ºF, Dempster Highway – The iPhone battery was still 13% charged when SPHP turned off Lupe’s point to point GPS track upon reaching the RAV4.

That system actually worked, Looper. Still have 0.5 bottle of water left, too! It’s almost like we knew what we were doing.

Nice, quite the fluke, but what’s for dinner, SPHP? I’m starving!

A salmon and Ritz crackers celebration ensued, followed promptly by much needed midnight adventures in Dingo Dreamland.