Part 1 of Day 32 of Lupe’s 2nd Summer of 2022 Dingo Vacation to Canada & Alaska!
9:58 AM, 42ºF, Galbraith Lake campground –
Think everything’s about ready, Loopster! Shall we?
We shall, SPHP!
Full of enthusiasm, Lupe left the campsite trotting SW through the tall, yellow bushes, heading straight for the nearest mountain, the one SPHP had finally decided to call West Galbraith Peak (4,560 ft.).
The sky was still almost entirely overcast this morning, but the fog that had rolled in late yesterday evening was gone, and the mountains were below the clouds. An unexpected, but happy turn of events.
Lupe was ecstatic! She raced away across the tundra, exploring and sniffing far ahead of SPHP.
Shortly after crossing the campground access road, Lupe made it to the stream that passes S of it on its way to Galbraith Lake. This stream was bigger than SPHP expected and rather rocky.
Following the stream toward the mountain on the exposed streambed was more trouble than it was worth. Too rocky! Returning to the bank overlooking the stream, the Carolina Dog discovered a use trail, which made life easy.
Before long, the floodplain broadened out a great deal. The lip of the bank Lupe was on turned W. Climbing steadily, she was soon quite far from the stream, although she could still see and hear it.
Approaching West Galbraith Peak, the stream curved SSW. Several glaciers were visible at the far upper end of the valley in the vicinity of Mount Kiev (7,775 ft.), which was high enough to be up in the clouds. That whole region looked mighty enticing, but much more rugged and beyond the scope of anything SPHP was prepared for today.
In the opposite direction, rolling hills led toward Alaska’s North Slope, which was out of sight, but not all that far away. Bits of blue sky, and the vastness of the open terrain beckoned there, too.
Looking NE back downstream, Lake Benchmark Mountain (5,000 ft.) and Peak 5308 were in sight, as well as part of Galbraith Lake.
The edge of the high ground Lupe was following swept around in a wide arc, eventually turning S, too. Gradually gaining elevation, the American Dingo explored a bench of tundra below West Galbraith Peak’s NE slopes on the R (W) that overlooked the stream on the L (E).
Continuing S for more than 0.5 mile, this bench began to narrow before shriveling away. A steep E ridge coming down off West Galbraith Peak was directly ahead. The intention was to at least get to this ridge to see what might lay beyond it, but by the time Lupe was starting to get close, she was having to traverse rock slides.
Lupe could have made it to the E ridge. She was nearly there when, looking up the mountain, a nice long stretch of brown tundra appeared on the R. It was steep, but extended hundreds of feet up the mountain.
You know, Loop, might be easier to head up right here. Tundra looks good, and the rockier region above it doesn’t look bad, either. Appears we can intercept the E ridge somewhere up there without much trouble. Doubt we’ll see a better route around the next bend, anyway. Want to try it?
Fine with me, SPHP, but what does the topo map say?
Don’t have any maps of this area, Loopster. West Galbraith Peak is just one of those spur of the moment “Bet we can climb that one!” peaks.
Turning W, Lupe started up the tundra.
It was a long, steep climb, but perfectly doable. Lupe had plenty of time to study the intricacies of the tundra, or admire the views during SPHP’s frequent breaks to gasp for air.
Tundra eventually became scarce, reduced to small tufts and occasional larger patches. Lupe continued higher, angling WSW toward the E ridge on good-sized scree that was rough and irregular in shape. It generally held together well, rarely shifting much and providing good support.
Back to the NE, Lupe could see nearly all of Galbraith Lake now.
By the time Lupe reached the E ridge, she was already at 4,100 feet with less than 500 feet to go. The views to the S were even better now, and a bit of blue sky raised hopes of sunshine before too long.
Another view was more disconcerting. Much of West Galbraith Peak’s long summit ridge was now in sight. A high point way over at the SSW end looked like it might well be the true summit. Getting to it appeared potentially problematic.
Scrambling WNW, Lupe continued higher. Scree all the way! Still quite steep, but parts of the ascent weren’t bad at all. Almost no talus up here, only a little near an outcropping of bedrock that was easily avoided. Soon Lupe was closing in on the mountain’s NNE high point.
1:37 PM, 51ºF, West Galbraith Peak (4,560 ft.) – Lupe’s perch on the NNE summit was sufficient, but certainly not any bigger than it needed to be. Looking SSW along the long summit ridge, SPHP was satisfied.
Hard to say for certain, Looper, but I think we’re golden!
So we’re already at the true summit of West Galbraith Peak, SPHP?
Believe so, Loop! Might be an illusion, but if that SSW high point is any higher, it can’t be by much. Think I’d actually bet on this being the true summit.
Kind of a narrow ridge, SPHP. Are we going there, anyway, to make sure?
Naw! Don’t think it’s worth the trouble, Loopster. Looks like we could get there, if we’re careful, but seems unnecessary. If this ridge was wider, we’d do it. Would be interesting to see how things look from over there.
Well, good! I’m ready for a break anyway, SPHP! Can we just hang out here then?
Why, of course! Right after I shake your paw, Loopster! Congratulations on your successful ascent of another fabulous peak in the Brooks Range!
An eagerly accepted chocolate coconut bar and beef jerky were shared in celebration of the joyous occasion. Although the absolute high point was small and rocky, patches of tundra nearby were sufficiently large to provide a selection of comfortable perches.
The views were incredible! Off to the S, the glaciers in the Mount Kiev region were disappearing among rain showers, making the silvery peaks in that direction even more mysterious.
Skies were sunnier toward the E. Galbraith Lake and the Atigun River were in sight. Lake Benchmark Mountain (5,000 ft.) was the highest point N of the river beyond Galbraith Lake. The series of peaks farther S were progressively higher toward the SE. Peak 7090 stood out, but both Peak 7200 and Wellsung Mountain (7,580 ft.) were more daunting.
Imnavait Mountain (3,702 ft.) and Slope Mountain (4,010 ft.) were in view way out on the North Slope. To the NW, a line of silvery peaks hid whatever was beyond it.
Although cloudy, conditions were near perfect. Comfortably warm, and no bugs despite no breeze at all. With beautiful sights in all directions and plenty of time to enjoy them, SPHP began daydreaming about other peaks Lupe could climb in this region some day.
Early enough, SPHP. Maybe we could climb another mountain today?
Yeah, but we’d get back mighty late, if we did that, Loopster.
So what, SPHP? Look at where we are! Surrounded by amazing territory on a perfect day on the N side of the Brooks Range! How often do we get an opportunity like this? We could at least do some more exploring!
Maybe you’re right, Loop! Your traditional summit hour will be over here pretty soon. Should we pick out another objective?
At first, the line of peaks to the NW seemed to offer the best possibilities that were reasonably nearby. The American Dingo ought to enjoy a truly spectacular panoramic view of the North Slope from over there!
How about that pointy peak off to the SW, SPHP? It’s even higher!
You mean the one on the R side of that pass, Loop?
Yes! Kind of steep, but it’s not as rugged as the stuff on the other side of the pass. I’m almost positive we could climb it, SPHP.
Yeah, I believe you’re right, Loopster. If we can get down to the valley W of us here, we should be able to follow it all the way to that pass before scrambling to the top.
Gazing down West Galbraith Peak’s NNW slope, 1,000+ feet of scree led down to the valley in question.
So, what do you think, SPHP? Can you do it? I know I can!
Steep, but clearly manageable, Loop. It’ll take me a while, but we can get down to the valley alright. Don’t think we’ll have a problem from there.
Want to try for that pointy peak then, SPHP?
Sure! I like this idea, Looper! In fact, that mountain might even be within the NE corner of Gates of the Arctic National Park.
Oh, are we that close to the Gates of the Arctic, SPHP? How awesome would that be, climbing a mountain there!
Super awesome, Loop, but I’m not sure exactly how far we are from the park. Can’t be too far from it, though.
If that mountain turns out to be inside the park, or even on the border, we could call it Gates of the Arctic NE Peak (5,050 ft.), couldn’t we?
Yeah, that would probably make sense, Loop. Would have to see a map to be sure. I’m all stirred up about it now. Want to go for it?
Yes, but not until my summit hour is done, SPHP. West Galbraith Peak is an incredible place, too! Let’s enjoy our time here. Then we’ll go.
Fair enough, Loopster. Sounds like a plan!
Surrounded by splendor on all sides, Lupe relaxed on the soft tundra as her final precious minutes up on West Galbraith Peak (4,560 ft.) ticked away. Meanwhile, SPHP enjoyed the fabulous Brooks Range views, now drawn especially to the magnetic one off to the SW.
Links:
Next Adventure Prior Adventure
Lupe’s West Galbraith Peak GPS Track (Ascent)
Lake Benchmark Mountain, Brooks Range, Alaska (8-19-17)
BLM Dalton Highway Visitor Guide
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