After rain and fog all weekend long, Monday had dawned clear and bright. Rain wasn’t at all unusual this time of year. In fact, today was the 42nd anniversary of the Black Hill’s June 9, 1972 flood, when 238 people lost their lives. Nothing remotely close to that dramatic and tragic was going to happen today. SPHP registered at the entrance to the Black Elk Wilderness near the Horsethief Lake trailhead (10:36 AM, 59°F).
Lupe and SPHP took off heading SSW on Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14. The normally pleasantly bubbling little creek was gushing right along, overflowing its banks and parts of the trail. Most of the time, it wasn’t hard to get over or around the wet spots. The rushing creek in the leafy canyon between towering granite spires was actually rather cheerful and beautiful.
A leafy side channel of the creek along Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14. Ordinarily, this would have been dry ground.
The creek was left behind by the time Lupe reached a junction with Centennial Trail No. 89 about 0.75 mile from the trailhead. Lupe and SPHP turned right, taking a short stretch of trail going W that is part of both Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14 and Centennial Trail No. 89. When the trails separated again, Lupe turned left, staying on Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14.
As Lupe continued SSW, she started encountering a fair amount of deadfall timber fallen across the trail. Huge numbers of ponderosa pine trees infested with pine bark beetles have died in the Black Hills in recent years. Over time, high winds blow over increasing numbers of the dead trees. Lupe and SPHP had to spend quite a lot of time off the trail going around the deadfall.
After about 2 miles, Lupe reached the S end of Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14 at a “T” intersection. Lupe turned right, following Grizzly Bear Creek Trail No. 7. The trail wound around heading generally W or NW. Lupe didn’t need to follow Grizzly Bear Creek Trail No. 7 very far, only about 0.375 mile. Lupe’s peakbagging goal for the day was Peak 6735, more than a mile to the SW. There is no trail to Peak 6735.
SPHP started looking for a way across Grizzly Bear Creek, a larger stream than the one near the start of Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14. Naturally, Grizzly Bear Creek was also running high. Fortunately, it didn’t take too long to find a place where a few boulders enabled SPHP to jump over. The American Dingo, of course, had no problem getting across.
On the SW side of Grizzly Bear Creek, Lupe found herself in a meadow that sloped gradually up to the W. Parts of the meadow were soggy and marshy, but by the time Lupe and SPHP reached the trees again, Lupe was back on dry ground. An old dirt road headed S around the E side of the mountain ahead. Lupe and SPHP followed it S for a little way.
The road gradually gained elevation, but reached a high point. From here, the road turned SE. Lupe needed to go SW, and she didn’t need to lose elevation. Lupe and SPHP left the dirt road, and started climbing the mountain.
The first part of this climb was about the only place all day where Lupe didn’t have to contend with a lot of deadfall timber. She raced this way and that sniffing around in the forest, while SPHP trudged ever upwards. Before too long, the mountain began to narrow. Deadfall and a series of large granite rock formations appeared. The climb became progressively steeper and more difficult.
Happy Lupe enjoying the climb.
As Lupe and SPHP continued up, the rock formations were larger and closer together. Most of the time it was easier to go around to the S of them, although occasionally it was easier to make forays to the N. Lupe was able to climb up on top of a few of the rock formations. Eventually, SPHP was able to see that Lupe was getting up in the world. Huge granite walls were visible on nearby mountains, especially in the area to the N leading up to Harney Peak.
From each rock formation, another higher one came into view up ahead. Finally, it looked like Lupe was getting close to the top of the mountain. SPHP expected Lupe to emerge up on Peak 6710, about 0.25 mile NW of her Peak 6735 goal. When Lupe reached the high point, though, the view was disappointing. Things didn’t look right at all. There was no way Lupe was on Peak 6710.
Actually, the scenery was great! The trouble was that SPHP could see another mountain ahead to the SW. It was several hundred feet higher! So, if Lupe wasn’t on Peak 6710 now, where was she? SPHP already had a pretty good notion, even before checking the maps.
Sly Dingo Lupe arrives up on a high point looking like she knows something SPHP doesn’t!
Yes, the depressing news was true. That higher mountain to the SW had to be Peak 6710. Despite how long it had taken to get here through all the wretched deadfall timber and toiling around the big rock formations, Lupe hadn’t gone nearly as far as SPHP had thought. She wasn’t as high up, either. Lupe was on top of Peak 6411, still 0.33 mile NE of Peak 6710.
Lupe on High Point 6411. She is still 0.33 mile NE of Peak 6710 seen on the L.
It was time for a rest. SPHP had intended for Lupe to bypass Peak 6411 to the N. Instead, Lupe and SPHP had climbed SW up the spine of the mountain to get here. Lupe still had to continue on to Peak 6710, or at least close to it, on her way to Peak 6735. To get there, she was going to have to lose over 100 feet of elevation going down to a saddle before she could resume climbing.
The task of getting to Peak 6710 looked daunting. More rock formations, an exhausting maze of deadfall timber, and another steep climb were still ahead. As discouraging at it was, there was nothing to do, but get on with it. One step at a time. The rest break was over. Lupe and SPHP headed slowly down into the saddle SW of Peak 6411. Nothing had changed. The way forward was a lot like Lupe’s climb up Peak 6411.
Finally, it was over. Lupe and SPHP were close to the top of Peak 6710. The summit was a big, high steep granite rock formation. Lupe and SPHP got to within 10 feet of the top. SPHP could probably scramble up on top, but there was no way for Lupe to get up there, even with SPHP’s help. The granite was just too vertical. SPHP couldn’t quite see the top, but it felt like the summit might be a scary high place. Getting back down safely didn’t look very easy, either.
Well, it would have been nice to reach the absolute summit of Peak 6710, but Lupe’s real goal was Peak 6735. If she could reach the top of Peak 6735, that would just have to be good enough. SPHP gave up on Peak 6710. Lupe and SPHP headed SE down toward the saddle over to Peak 6735.
Lupe lost nearly 250 feet of elevation crossing the saddle. Due to the deadfall, it was all miserably slow going. The true summit of peak 6735 is more toward the S end of the summit area. Lupe and SPHP skirted the N end of the high ground to the W. Lupe had another steep climb, but eventually it got easier. There was somewhat less deadfall timber near the end. Lupe and SPHP started making faster progress.
The top of Peak 6735 was much easier to navigate than Peak 6710 had been. The whole area was rocky, but it was easy to approach the very highest rocks at the true summit by circling around a bit to the S. After a long, hard struggle, Lupe had done it. She stood on top of Peak 6735!
Lupe on top of Peak 6735! Harney Peak (L) is the highest point on the horizon. Peak 6710 is closer and can also be seen on the L. The cliffs on the SW (L) side of Peak 6710 are in clear view. Lupe and SPHP hadn’t been able to see the cliffs ahead coming from the NE (R). It may be a good thing SPHP didn’t climb the last 10 feet to the top of Peak 6710!
Peak 6735 featured marvelous 360° views. As annoyingly difficult as it was to get here, SPHP was pretty certain Peak 6735 must not be visited very often. Not many people or American Dingoes have ever been treated to these views. Lupe and SPHP were glad to be here!
It had been a long, exhausting climb through rugged territory. By far the worst obstacle, though, had been the shattered dead forest. Lupe and SPHP needed a rest break, a much longer one than Lupe had taken on High Point 6411. Rest, water, snacks and big views were all part of a most welcome respite.
The Cathedral Spires(6,840 ft.) (L) are behind the dead tree, Little Devil’s Tower(6,960 ft.) (L) is just to their right. Peak 6920 (Center) is directly above Lupe’s ear. Harney Peak(7,242 ft.) is the high peak on the R, with Peak 6710 seen below and slightly to the R of Harney. Photo looks NW.Looking NW with the same peaks in view as in the photo above.Looking S from the summit of Peak 6735. The fact that so many of the dead trees hadn’t fallen over yet made it relatively easy to move around on Peak 6735. Clearly it will get harder in the future!Harney Peak and Peak 6710 using the telephoto lens. Photo looks NW.A Carolina Dog takes a well-deserved break on Peak 6735. Photo looks NE.
After the rest break was done, it was time to do some exploring of the summit area. A big granite arm of the mountain extended off to the SW without losing too much elevation. Lupe had clear sweeping views to the S from this granite ridge. Nothing she saw to the S was as high as Peak 6735!
A beautiful green carpet of kinnikinnick was growing on parts of the summit area. Here Lupe is enjoying the kinnikinnick just below the true summit.The SW arm of Peak 6735. Northeast Cicero Peak(6,240 ft.) is the highest point on the horizon just L of Center.View to the SW from the SW ridge.Looking SE.Looking back to the N toward the summit. Harney Peak is on the L.
After a leisurely exploration of the SW arm of the mountain and around to the SE, Lupe and SPHP returned to the summit of Peak 6735 for a final look.
Lupe was in dazzlingly bright sunshine on Peak 6735, but it wasn’t going to last. It was already getting late in the afternoon.A final look WNW from the summit at the Cathedral Spires (L) and Little Devils Tower (R), both near the center of this photo.
It would have been nice to explore the high ground N of where Lupe had come up the mountain, but it had taken a very long time to get up here. The slanting rays of the sun gave notice that it was already late afternoon. Lupe’s time on Peak 6735 was running out. The N ridge wasn’t quite as high as where Lupe had already been, anyway.
Although the world was beautiful from up on Peak 6735, it was time to move on. When darkness fell, SPHP didn’t want to be lost wandering in a wilderness of steep terrain, deadfall timber, cliffs and huge rock formations. Lupe and SPHP left Peak 6735 heading N.
Looking NE just before leaving Peak 6735. (Note Lupe down in the shadows on the lower L.)
It was now a race against time to get back to a trail before darkness fell. There was no need to go back up Peak 6710 again. This time, after crossing the saddle to Peak 6710, SPHP led Lupe N along the E side of the mountain aiming for the saddle over to High Point 6411.
Upon reaching the saddle, Lupe and SPHP crossed it continuing N. Lupe wasn’t going back to High Point 6411, either. The plan was to go directly down to Grizzly Bear Creek Trail No. 7. The terrain started dropping steeply. SPHP feared Lupe would lose hundreds of feet of elevation only to find herself at the top of a cliff. If she did, there would be no choice but to climb all the way back up before trying another route.
The steep descent went on for what seemed like a long time. Close by to the E, a huge wall of granite appeared. Across the valley to the N, SPHP could see similar steep declines that ended in sheer cliffs below. Lupe was losing a lot of elevation. Luckily, the terrain wasn’t getting any steeper. Lupe forged ahead of SPHP. She could maneuver on the slope much better than SPHP could.
At last, looking down from above, SPHP saw Lupe sitting motionless, panting happily. Lupe had found it! She was sitting right on Grizzly Bear Creek Trail No. 7. SPHP joined her on the trail. Good work, Lupe! SPHP praised her. Lupe beamed. The shortcut had worked, and there was plenty of daylight left, even though the trail was in the shadow of the mountains. Lupe and SPHP set off heading E down the trail.
It was much farther, and took much longer, than SPHP anticipated to get back to Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14. There was the usual deadfall timber plus half a dozen creek crossings to deal with along the way. SPHP managed to find a way to jump over the high-flowing creek each time. For Lupe, the stream crossings were a piece of cake. She leaped across with ease.
By the time Lupe and SPHP made it back to Centennial Trail No. 89, it was getting dark. The flashlight had to come out for the last stretch of Horsethief Trail No. 14 after leaving the Centennial Trail. In the darkness, it was much harder to avoid all the water flowing over the trail.
Lupe’s long adventure to Peak 6735 and back ended at 9:53 PM (52°F). Nearly 11.5 hours had gone by, most of it spent in rugged terrain choked with deadfall. Lupe didn’t complain. She never does. She hopped in the G6 and curled up for the ride home.
SPHP didn’t complain either. The views from Peak 6735 had been splendid. The sense of remote isolation, complete. In truth, it had been a fun and challenging day. So much fun that SPHP thought Lupe should return to Peak 6735 some day. Maybe some day, she will.
Day 15 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Wind River Range, Wyoming & Select Peaks in Montana
Dawn. Lupe sat bright-eyed on SPHP’s lap listening to Morning Dew by the Grateful Dead. She gazed intently out the window of Jobe’s silver Jeep Rubicon. Jobe was expounding on Jerry Garcia’s musical talents as he drove. Lupe listened politely as Jobe & SPHP chatted. In truth, she was more interested in the possibility of seeing cows, deer, or squirrels along the 4WD road.
The sun was above the horizon by the time Jobe parked his Rubicon at a 6,900 foot elevation saddle on Crazy Peak’s SE ridge. An old pickup truck was already parked nearby, but no one was around. Good. This was it! Lupe’s big chance to climb Crazy Peak(11,209 ft.) with Jobe had arrived! Crazy Peak wasn’t just any mountain. With Crazy Peak done, Jobe would be on the verge of EPIC!
Sunrise from Crazy Peak’s SE Ridge.Jobe leads the way as Lupe sets off for Crazy Peak. Photo looks WNW.
This opportunity to climb Crazy Peak with Jobe had been set in motion a couple of months ago. While looking at the results of Jobe’s week long mid-May 2017 trip to the East Coast on Peakbagger.com, SPHP discovered Jobe was now very close to completing a huge peakbagging feat – one he had been working on for more than 20 years. Jobe was only 2 peaks away from completing the EPIC List for all 50 US states!
Millions of people have enjoyed a hike to the top of the highest mountain in one or more US states. In fact, it’s not that hard to reach the highest point in quite a few states. However, only the truly dedicated ever seriously dream of climbing the highest mountain in all 50 states – in addition to the travel time and expense involved, that list contains some difficult peaks requiring equipment and technical climbing skills. Yet those 50 highest peaks are only part of what we’re talking about here. Jobe had already been to the top of the highest mountain in every state. The EPIC List goes way beyond that.
Elevation is only one statistical measure of a mountain’s claim to grandeur. There are others. The EPIC list also considers Prominence and Isolation. Prominence is a measure of the minimum elevation one would have to lose from a mountain’s summit to travel to a higher peak by any route, no matter how long, difficult or impractical. Isolation measures how far away it is in a direct line to the closest higher mountain.
In 19 US states, the highest mountain is also the most prominent and has the most isolation. The same mountain ranks 1st in all three categories. However, in the other 31 states, 2 or 3 different peaks can claim to be either the highest, most prominent, most isolated, or some combination thereof. Consequently, the EPIC List for the 50 US states includes not just 50, but 96 different peaks.
Only Bob Packard among all Peakbagger.com account holders has climbed all 96 peaks on the EPIC List. Now Jobe was only 2 peaks away! What caught SPHP’s eye was where those remaining unclimbed peaks were. Both were in Montana, a state that borders South Dakota where Lupe lives. Mount Cleveland(10,466 ft.) with 98.18 miles of isolation is the most isolated peak in Montana. Located in the far NW part of the state in Glacier National Park, anti-Dingo regulations prevent Lupe from ever doing anything there.
The other summit Jobe was lacking was Crazy Peak(11,209 ft.). With 5,709 ft. of prominence, Crazy Peak is the most prominent mountain in Montana. Located in S central Montana in the Gallatin National Forest, it wasn’t nearly as far away as Mount Cleveland.
Crazy Peak has a spot on a lot of peakbagging lists, not just the EPIC list. Early in 2017 SPHP had considered including Crazy Peak among the mountains Lupe might want to climb this summer. A little research on Peakbagger.com had squelched that idea. Every trip report was on the same ascent route, and most mentioned Class 4 terrain on the way to the summit. SPHP didn’t know much about the rating system, but knew enough to realize that Lupe needed to stay far away from anything approaching Class 4.
Now a new idea crept into SPHP’s noggin. Even if Lupe couldn’t climb Crazy Peak, wouldn’t it be fun to go there when Jobe with his superior skills climbed it? Lupe and SPHP could still go partway up the mountain, and congratulate Jobe on his success when he returned from the summit on his way back down. Lupe could still bask in her friend Jobe’s glory!
Well, maybe. Lupe and SPHP didn’t really know Jobe very well. In response to an email from Jobe, Lupe had scouted out conditions on Odakota Mountain(7,200 ft.) in the Black Hills back in late March of 2016 prior to a trip he was planning to western Nebraska and possibly South Dakota. When Jobe subsequently arrived in the Black Hills on April 2nd, 2016, Lupe went with him to Odakota Mountain.
Lupe and SPHP had even followed Jobe all the way to the Wildcat Hills of Nebraska for an adventure down there that same day. Jobe had treated Lupe very kindly the whole time. When Lupe’s paws got sore, Jobe carried her to safety past the painful cactus that grew in profusion all over those desolate Nebraska hills. Since then Jobe had occasionally stayed in touch via email.
Jobe was a great guy, but perhaps he had other plans for Crazy Peak with more experienced and capable climbers, or maybe he’d rather go solo than bother with a Carolina Dog? Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Didn’t hurt to ask. On 5-23-17, SPHP sent Jobe an email. When was Jobe planning on taking on Crazy and Cleveland? Which would he tackle first?
A response came within a couple hours. Jobe would likely take on Crazy Peak first. The unique permitting process for climbing Mount Cleveland in Glacier National Park might cause an attempt on that peak to be delayed longer than Jobe would like.
On 5-25-17, SPHP sent another email. This one popped the big question. Lupe would be gone all of August, 2017, but if Jobe was planning on climbing Crazy Peak before then, would he mind if Loop and SPHP tagged along partway up? Loop and SPHP had no delusions of reaching the top, and promised not to hold Jobe back from getting there himself.
Again came a quick response – an unexpected one. All Jobe said was “Here’s some forwarded pics of Victor Zhou’s solo ascent of Crazy’s East Ridge from last summer.” Eleven photos were attached. SPHP got excited. Those photos showed a big long ridge that got progressively rockier approaching Crazy’s summit. The first part of the ridge was cake! Lupe could get way higher on Crazy Peak than SPHP had thought. Maybe she could even reach the summit! It was hard to tell from the last few photos just what dangers might lurk among all that rock?
What was this, though, about an East Ridge route? All the trip reports on Peakbagger.com mentioned coming up the W ridge. Some mentioned going down the N ridge. None of the reports or GPS tracks showed an attempt from the E. Victor Zhou had climbed Crazy Peak on 7-20-16, but like most climbers, had not submitted a trip report or GPS track. There were two E ridges, too. One to the NE and one to the SE. Which one did Victor climb? After a look at the topo map, SPHP concluded Victor must have gone up the SE ridge.
SPHP fired off another email to Jobe expressing these thoughts. Again Jobe responded quickly:
The route Victor climbed is unconventional and I have no idea why others haven’t climbed it with more regularity in the past. It’s almost like everyone reads a particular trip report that mentions a specific route and that automatically becomes the only option? The “normal” route is Class 4 where Victor’s is no more than Class 3 tops. Might get a little sharp but not scary. It’s definitely not the NE Ridge he ascended but I can ask him the definitive route (start location) and get back to ya. He calls it the “East Ridge”. If you want to meet and take a crack at it somewhere around July 22nd, I’m all in.
That’s all it took. Crazy Peak was a go!
Now Lupe was really here! Her chance to climb Crazy Peak with Jobe via Victor Zhou’s route had arrived! Jobe led the way. SPHP trailed behind, with Lupe bouncing back and forth between. The first part of the trek was through forest. Jobe headed WNW staying toward the S edge of the ridge. Below was the deep canyon of the South Fork of Big Timber Creek.
An early glimpse to the SW down into the canyon of the South Fork of Big Timber Creek.
Progress through the forest was good. A steady, but unremarkable climb. After a little while, the forest began to give out. Lupe and Jobe reached a minor high point where it was possible to get a good look at the first stretch of open terrain ahead. Nothing fancy, or anything to be the least bit concerned about was in view, just a continuation of the steady climb minus trees.
The forest eventually gave out. From this minor high point Loopster has a good view of the open terrain ahead. Pretty easy to tell which way to go from here! Photo looks NW.Jobe assesses the situation. The ridge on the R is also part of Crazy Peak’s massive SE ridge. The high point in view where the terrain converges is likely HP 8448. Photo looks NW.
Two “minor” sub-ridges, both part of Crazy Peak’s massive SE ridge converge near HP 8448. (See the Peakbagger.com topo map.) Lupe, Jobe and SPHP had been following the S one. This caused no issues on the way up, but would be important to remember on the way down.
Jobe now beyond HP 8448. The terrain is still easy. Photo looks NW.A better look from higher up at the South Fork of Big Timber Creek canyon. Photo looks SW.Jobe leads the charge up. Lupe looking good not far behind.
Some distance beyond HP 8448, Jobe led Lupe and SPHP around to the N side of the ridge. For a while, the terrain was a little easier here. The slope down into the canyon to the N wasn’t as steep. On the way to HP 9761, the summit of Crazy Peak came into view, still more than 2 miles to the WNW.
On the way to HP 9761, the summit of Crazy Peak came into view, still more than 2 miles to the WNW.Jobe leads the way again after a stop to let SPHP catch up.
Even before the ridge became really rocky, SPHP was having a hard time keeping up with Jobe. Lupe could easily enough, but the effects of the climbs of the past 2 days, and Lupe’s long adventures earlier in the Wind River Range were taking a toll on SPHP. Though Jobe repeatedly stopped and waited, or went slowly for him, SPHP was falling farther and farther behind.
This came as no surprise. Jobe is in far superior condition. A mountaineer with tremendous experience and dedication to staying fit, he didn’t even look like he was trying. Effortlessly, Jobe glided over terrain that SPHP trudged or stumbled through. Jobe made it look so easy! Meanwhile SPHP was having to stop repeatedly to catch breath.
The faithful American Dingo stuck mostly with SPHP as Jobe forged ahead. SPHP’s slower pace gave her plenty of time to sniff around and relax. She could even take short Dingo naps.
Lupe takes a little Dingo nap while SPHP pauses to catch breath. SPHP couldn’t go at the pace Jobe & Lupe were capable of, but so far, things were still looking good.
Despite falling behind, even SPHP was making reasonable progress. Things were still looking good for reaching the summit of Crazy Peak! The situation gradually changed, though, as the big ridge steadily narrowed and became rockier.
Getting closer, but as Lupe approached HP 9761, the ridge was already getting considerably narrower and rockier. Photo looks WNW.
By the time Looper made it to HP 9761, the ridge had narrowed down a lot. Vegetation was nearly gone. The ridgeline was rocky and uneven. Both sides of the ridge were steep, and comprised of a lot of loose rock. Here, the S side of the ridge wasn’t as bad as the N.
Jobe’s superior strength and stamina were now augmented by superior balance, too. No contest at all now. Jobe managed to simply walk the ridgeline in lots of places where SPHP felt compelled to down climb to get around rough spots. That burned a lot of extra time.
The agreement all along had been that Jobe should not wait for SPHP. While conditions were favorable, he really needed to get to the top of Crazy Peak. Time to check this one off the EPIC List! It would be great if Lupe and SPHP could get to the top, too, but there wasn’t the same degree of urgency. Lupe could still try to summit a little later than Jobe.
As the ridge became more difficult for SPHP, Jobe surged ahead. Lupe watched him go. Of course, her best bet for getting to the top of Crazy Peak would have been to just go with Jobe. Maybe she would have liked to, but she wouldn’t abandon SPHP.
Lupe watches as Jobe surges ahead. He’s now just a red spec on the ridge.Lupe’s best bet for reaching the summit of Crazy Peak would have been to go with Jobe, but she wouldn’t abandon SPHP. She would still get there, if SPHP could make it.Looking back. Here Lupe is past HP 9761 seen in the distance on the R. Photo looks E.
Looper and SPHP continued on, following Jobe who was getting farther and farther away. Eventually Jobe paused at a high point and looked back, checking on Lupe’s progress. For a moment he stood there, looking small, far away, and already much higher.
Jobe pauses and looks back to check on Lupe & SPHP a final time before disappearing from view. He was already a lot higher and quite a long way off. The telephoto lens makes Jobe look much closer than he really was. Photo looks WNW.
Jobe knew what he had to do. A moment later, he was gone. Lupe and SPHP were alone. There was nothing else to do, but keep chugging along.
Lupe presses on, still optimistic, though Jobe has disappeared from view. Photo looks S.Looking back down the SE ridge. HP 9761 in view. Photo looks SE.A long way to go yet. That high point ahead isn’t even the summit. Photo looks WNW.Looking SW.
Lupe was still making progress up Crazy Peak’s big SE ridge, but SPHP was frustrated with the pace.
Oh, Looper, I’m sorry, but maybe you should have gone with Jobe!
What! Why?
I’m just too slow on this steep, loose stuff. Our pace isn’t exactly scintillating, as you may have noticed.
Yes, but we’re getting there. We’ll just keep going like we always do.
True. So far so, good. Nothing’s stopped us yet, but I’m afraid we’ll run out of time. We can’t be coming back in the dark like we often do. Jobe has a 14 hour drive back home after this. He needs to hit the road so he can get back to work. Besides, this doesn’t seem to be getting any easier and who knows how bad the terrain is up ahead? Those last photos that Victor Zhou took looked questionable. We might not even be able to get there.
So Jobe might not get to the top of Crazy Peak? That would be terrible!
No, no. Don’t worry about that. Victor Zhou made it. Jobe will make it, too. But I’m not Victor or Jobe, not by a long shot. I’m not saying we won’t get there, but it seems like we’ve already been at this quite a while, and there’s no sign we’re anywhere near the top yet.
Well, hurry it up then!
I’m coming, sweet puppy. Lead on!
Lupe encourages SPHP up the next steep section. Photo looks WNW.
The summit of Crazy Peak had been out of view now for a while. It was hard to tell how encouraged or discouraged one should be. Lupe led the way up a couple of steep sections that went pretty well. The rocks were larger and more stable here. SPHP managed to make the climbs fairly rapidly. Maybe there still was enough time for Lupe to reach the top of Crazy Peak? Hope rekindled. It sure looked like Lupe was getting high!
After a spurt up a couple of steep sections, hope was rekindled that Lupe would still have time to reach Crazy Peak’s summit. The views were already terrific! Photo looks SE back down the ridge.Progress, but was it enough? Photo looks SE.
When the summit of Crazy Peak came into view again, it was a sobering sight. Despite SPHP’s spurt, Lupe remained a long way from the top of the mountain.
When the summit of Crazy Peak (R) came back into view again, it was a sobering sight. Lupe was still a long way from the top. Photo looks WNW.
Ugh! The summit’s still way over there, Looper.
Don’t give up! We’re getting closer.
Yah, keep going, but seems like Jobe’s been gone quite a while now. Sooner or later he’s going to reappear. Probably sooner I would think, and we aren’t going to be close enough to justify continuing on then.
Jobe didn’t appear, though. Lupe and SPHP carried on. Unfortunately, the ridge was messier again. SPHP kept down climbing to get around troublesome spots. Slow, slow, slow! Not good at all.
LOL, SPHP. We aren’t ever going to make it if you can’t stay up here! Lupe has a chuckle at SPHP’s endless down climbing.
Onward, bit by bit. Time ticked by. Though SPHP didn’t realize it then, the next big high point Lupe could see up ahead was 10,900+ feet. The ridge was ragged, but Lupe could get there! The summit would only be another 300 feet higher.
The high point on the L is 10,900+ feet, only 300 feet lower than Crazy Peak’s summit (seen beyond a little to the R). It looked like Lupe could at least get that far! Photo looks NW.
Pretty soon, though, a red dot appeared. A red dot headed this way. Jobe was returning! Had he made it to the summit? He’d been gone quite a long while – surely he’d made it? What news would he bring?
A red dot appeared on the ridge ahead. Jobe was returning! Had he made it to the summit?
There’s Jobe, SPHP!
Yes, I see him, too.
Aren’t we going to go meet him?
No, let’s wait here Looper. Jobe’s moving fast. He’ll be here soon enough. Let’s see what he has to say first.
Lupe and SPHP waited as Jobe worked his way back along the ridge.
A look through the telephoto lens at Jobe with Crazy Peak’s summit in the background. Photo looks NW.
As Jobe drew steadily nearer, SPHP took a few pictures of the views from this point Lupe had reached. It wasn’t completely clear yet if she would be going any farther.
Crazy Lake is seen below from the point Lupe reached on Crazy Peak’s SE ridge. Photo looks W.Big Timber Peak (10,795 ft.) (R) is connected to Crazy Peak by the sheer jagged ridge seen on the L. Probably the most challenging and technical route possible to Crazy Peak. No one goes that way. Photo looks N.Looking back the way Lupe had come. Photo looks ESE.
Jobe arrived all smiles. Success! Yes, he’d made it to the top. Crazy Peak was finally done. Only Mount Cleveland was left to do on his 50 states EPIC List! He graciously accepted congratulations from Lupe and SPHP.
Jobe returns all smiles! Yes, he’d made it to the top of Crazy Peak. Photo looks E.The grand view from Crazy Peak’s summit. Photo by Jobe Wymore.Jobe signed the Crazy Peak register. He had now completed the 50 US state most prominent peak list! Photo by Jobe Wymore.Lupe and Jobe celebrate Jobe’s success. Photo looks E.
Surprisingly, Jobe had met 3 young women at the summit who came up from yet another route. They’d camped overnight down at Crazy Lake, and had made a long trek on a steep, loose scree slope directly up the mountain. They were concerned about the prospect of the impending rather scary trip back down to camp. Jobe had spent some time talking to them, which was part of why he had been gone as long as he had.
So what was the rest of the route like? Jobe said there were a few spots that were kind of sketchy with some exposure. He’d gotten through just fine, though. He wasn’t sure what SPHP might think, or how Lupe would fare. A bit scary perhaps? Jobe nodded his head indicating Lupe and SPHP were free to go on and take a crack at it. Evidently he must have thought it was at least possible for Lupe to succeed. It was very kind of him to be willing to wait.
First – two more key questions. Jobe’s smart phone would have the answers. What time was it, and what elevation had Lupe reached here?
Early afternoon. Lupe is at 10,400 feet.
The summit of Crazy Peak looked a long way off. (It was actually only a little over 0.5 mile away.) Another 800 feet of elevation gain left, including some rough, sketchy territory with exposure ahead. Most importantly, it was now afternoon. Seven hours gone by already? At the pace SPHP was going it would take Lupe another two hours to reach the top of the mountain. By then it would be mid-afternoon. That meant part of the return trip would be in darkness.
There had been plenty of time to think about things while Jobe was gone. The terrain hadn’t stopped Lupe yet, but as much as SPHP would have liked for Lupe to succeed at climbing Crazy Peak, SPHP hesitated only a moment.
No, Jobe, we’ve timed out. Let’s head down.
Right decision. Lupe was happy. Jobe was happy. It was a relief to be going back down. The day was a big success! Jobe had made it to the top of Crazy Peak. Lupe and SPHP had shared in the joy, and kept their promise not to delay him – at least not by too much. Only Mount Cleveland to go! Jobe indicated he might take on Mount Cleveland sometime in early August, only 2 or 3 weeks away.
Well before the sun went down, Lupe and SPHP were back in Jobe’s air-conditioned Jeep Rubicon, bouncing along comfortably. Morning Dew and Terrapin Station by the Grateful Dead were playing. Jobe resumed his enthusiastic dissertation on Jerry Garcia’s musical talents. A good time, a really good time.
All too soon, Lupe was back at the G6, giving Jobe’s hand a final shake next to the Rubicon.
Pals Lupe and Jobe.Lupe extends final congratulations to Jobe on his great success at Crazy Peak.
Brief good-byes and well wishes, then onward! Jobe roared off in the Rubicon. Minutes later, Lupe and SPHP were in the G6 going down the same dusty road. Lupe resumed her usual watch for cows and horses to bark at.
After a fun day on Crazy Peak, Lupe resumes her watch for cows and horses to bark at.
SPHP soon stopped the G6 for a last look back.
Lupe’d had success climbing several nice peaks with Jobe on the previous two days. Nevertheless, Crazy Peak(11,209 ft.) would always be the one that stood out from the others. There it was, that long tantalizing SE ridge, forever leading skyward to the joyful moment when Lupe had stood with mountaineer and friend Jobe Wymore on the verge of EPIC!
Crazy Peak from the ENE.Lupe and Jobe Wymore on the verge of EPIC. Crazy Peak, Montana – July 22, 2017.
Thanks to Victor Zhou for sharing the route on the SE ridge that Jobe used to summit Crazy Peak, and gave Lupe some hope of doing the same.
Epilogue
Although Lupe and SPHP were confident Jobe would be successful climbing Mount Cleveland in early August, 2017, Lupe wouldn’t know for certain how Jobe fared until she returned from her Summer of 2017 Dingo Vacation in September.
Lupe arrived home on 9-13-17, to find an email from Jobe waiting for her entitled “Mount Cleveland denial. Weep, weep.” Jobe had arrived at the National Park visitor center only to be turned away due to forest fires that had started only the evening before. All backcountry permits via Goat Haunt had been cancelled.
So at the time of this post’s publication, Jobe remains on the verge of EPIC, only short Mount Cleveland from completing the 50 States of the USA EPIC List. Of course, in due time Jobe will be back. Lupe and SPHP wish him a speedy, successful and safe ascent! – 9-22-17
August, 2018 Update
Jobe eventually did complete the USA 50 States EPIC List more than a year after his adventure with Lupe on Crazy Mountain with a successful ascent of Mount Cleveland on 8-16-18. Congratulations, Jobe!
