Yukon Territory – Page 4 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Sapper Hill, Nahoni Range, Ogilvie Mountains, Yukon Territory, Canada (8-19-23)

Day 27 & Part 1 of Day 28 of Lupe’s 2nd Summer of 2023 Dingo Vacation to Canada & Alaska!

8-17-23, 10:10 PM – Back at the gravel yard used as a trailhead, spirits were running high. Mount Hare (4,052 ft.) had been an unexpected success! Lupe and SPHP were both full of Dinty Moore beef stew, and the American Dingo had spent much of the evening happily chomping away on a Busy Rib Hide and a Dingo stick as rewards for her intrepid journey. Now, comfortably situated on her pink blanket, she was all ears, listening to SPHP’s dissertation on what might be.

Well fed, comfy, and all ears during the late evening planning session.

I feel great! Don’t you, Loop?

Simply fantastic, SPHP! What’cha thinking for tomorrow’s exploits?

If this weather will hold just one more day for us, we can still go back to the Northwest Territories tomorrow, and climb Peak 1402M! Tag that one, and you will have visited every peak on your list of possibilities in the Richardson Mountains on this Dingo Vacation. A complete success!

That would be awesome, SPHP, but do we have enough fuel to do that without getting ourselves stranded?

Yes, I’ve been thinking about that, Loopster. Even if we go back, we still ought to be able to make it to Eagle Plains once were done with 70 extra miles worth of fuel to spare.

8-18-23, 12:34 PM, 51ºF – So much for that bright idea. The sky had been glumly overcast all morning. Last evening’s clearing trend was long gone. Not a hint of blue sky. A rain shower passed through a little while ago, and it was breezy, even down here.

Trip journal’s caught up, Loop. I’m calling it. The weather isn’t that bad, but it isn’t very good, either. Peak 1402M isn’t happening. Too chancy. Even if we drove clear back there, it’s so late now that an attempt would have to wait until tomorrow, anyway.

So we’re heading S to Eagle Plains, SPHP?

Yup, and beyond, Sweet Puppy! First stop, the Arctic Circle.

Even though the Arctic Circle wasn’t much farther, that wasn’t entirely true. Struck by the beauty of the Richardson Mountains foothills under a gloomy sky, SPHP stopped briefly for a quick look.

**Richardson Mountains foothills** (L) a few miles N of the Arctic Circle. Photo looks SE.

8-18-23, 12:49 PM, the Arctic Circle – This was going to be about it as far as decent views of the Richardson Mountains on this Dingo Vacation. Lupe hopped out of the RAV4 for a final look around.

At the **Arctic Circle display** along the **Dempster Highway**. Photo looks E.

Sadly, time for the Most High Exalted Dingo of the Arctic Sisterhood to bid farewell to the true Arctic for another year, Loopster.

We had fun, and a lot of success, didn’t we, SPHP?

Sure did, Loop. An epic trip! Remember 2019? This was as far N as we got. A blizzard forced us to turn tail and flee S.

And this year we didn’t see a thing here on our way N due to the smoke of the Arctic apocalypse, SPHP. A beautiful view today, though.

Certainly was! For 15 minutes, Lupe and SPHP hung around enjoying it before continuing the drive S.

**Yukon Territory** from the **Arctic Circle**. Photo looks SSE.

Final view of the **Richardson Mountains**. Photo looks NE.

On the way to Eagle Plains, enormous regions of blackened boreal forest that had burned during this summer’s Arctic apocalypse were evident. Happily, the fires were all out now, and the smoke that had been here not so long ago was completely gone.

8-18-23, 2:00 PM, Eagle Plains – SPHP enjoyed a club sandwich at the Arctic Circle restaurant then fueled up the RAV4. As always, it felt rather sad to be on the way S again after true Arctic adventures, but evidently it had been the right decision. Resuming the drive, the sky brightened, patches of blue appeared, and the temperature hit a comfortable 61ºF.

While SPHP admired the expansive views of the Eagle Plains from the high ridges that the Dempster Highway wound along, Lupe snoozed on her pink blanket. The RAV4 rolled on mile after mile, raising a great plume of dust. Eventually the Ogilvie Mountains came into view, and a long descent along Seven Mile Hill led down into the Ogilvie River valley.

8-18-23, 7:13 PM – After a scenic drive S up the big valley, the Dempster Highway turned SE, crossing a bridge over the Ogilvie River. Less than a km farther, SPHP parked the RAV4 at a roomy spot just off the highway right before the bridge over Engineer Creek.

Hey ho, sleepy Dingo! Had enough of a beauty rest yet? You ought to be ready for a stroll by now aren’t you?

Long ago, SPHP!

Great! We’re parked near the W end of Sapper Hill (3,084 ft.). Let’s get out, and see if we can find a good spot to begin an ascent tomorrow.

By the bridge over **Engineer Creek**. Photo looks SE.

The Carolina Dog no sooner leapt out of the RAV4 than, sniffing bushes along the edge of the parking area, she had important news to impart.

Found it, SPHP!

Found what, Loop?

The trail up Sapper Hill, silly!

There’s a trail? Are you sure? Show me!

It starts right here, SPHP.

15 feet from the RAV4, Lupe stood next to a boulder with a metal sign post by it, but no sign. On the ground, an arrow made of rocks pointed straight into the bushes.

At the **start of the Sapper Hill trail**. Photo looks NE.

Huh. This is great news, Loopster! I had no idea that there was a trail.

Following the trail into the bushes and partway up a rather steep slope revealed that this was indeed a continuous path, and not some fluke.

Alrighty, far enough, Looper. Weather permitting, we’ll take a shot at climbing Sapper Hill tomorrow. Too late to do it now.

Returning to the Dempster Highway, Lupe enjoyed an easy evening stroll all the way to the bridge over the Ogilvie River and back, then went the opposite direction almost all the way to the Engineer Creek campground before calling it good for the night.

**Mount Jeckell** (Center) from the **Dempster Highway**. Photo looks NW.

8-19-23, 7:50 AM, 48ºF, N side of the bridge over Engineer Creek – Overcast, but otherwise not a bad day. The weather seemed stable, not threatening at all, when the American Dingo passed the rock arrow and headed NE up into the bushes. The Sapper Hill trail climbed steeply for 100+ feet before reaching a more gentle slope overlooking the Dempster Highway and the distinctive orange-brown waters of Engineer Creek. Looking ENE, big rock formations were visible far up the forested slope.

Heading for the **massive rock formations** (L of Center) at the **W end of Sapper Hill**. Photo looks ENE.

Lupe had often seen Sapper Hill (3,084 ft.) from the Dempster Highway or the bridge over the Ogilvie River on two prior Dingo Vacations. It had always been of interest. Rising 1,000 feet above Engineer Creek, while Sapper Hill wasn’t a particularly big mountain, from the S it possessed a distinctive, easily-recognized appearance. A giant E/W running ridge with very steep sides, Sapper Hill featured a crest more than a km long capped by a line of massive gray rock formations of nearly equal height.

As the American Dingo climbed toward the formations at the upper W end of the mountain, the big question that had always existed was on SPHP’s mind. How difficult it was going to be to get to the true summit? Did Lupe even stand a chance of getting there? Depending on how hard maneuvering among the rocks would prove to be, it might be difficult just to identify the true summit, much less reach it.

Guess we’ll know the answer soon enough, Loopster.

Heading ENE through a thin boreal forest with a soft, thick tundra floor, the assistance provided by the unexpected trail made maintaining good progress during the ascent easy. The slope eventually steepened, and the trail soon turned N as it entering a clearing. The lowest rock formations at the W end of the Sapper Hill ridge were now directly ahead.

Entering the **clearing**. Photo looks NNE.

Heading for the **first rock formations** (R). **Mount Jeckell** (L). Photo looks N.

Just before reaching two giant pillars of rock, the main trail veered E, heading straight up a rather steep slope. However, a very short spur at this turn led directly toward the gap between the pillars.

A window on the world! Let’s go see what’s there, SPHP.

Approaching the **pillars**. Photo looks N.

The window framed a terrific view of Mount Jeckell (4,724 ft.) beyond the Ogilvie River and Dempster Highway 800 feet below.

**Mount Jeckell** (L of Center) from the **gap between the pillars**. Photo looks NW.

Wow! This first big view is awesome, SPHP.

Indeed! And of particular interest, too, Looper. Mount Jeckell is on your list of possibilities.

Exciting! Are we going to climb Mount Jeckell while we’re here, SPHP?

I don’t know, Loop. We’ll see. Mount Jeckell’s true summit is way over at the W end, farthest from the Dempster Highway. Hard to tell for sure from here, but what I can see looks pretty tough by our standards.

Returning to the main trail, Lupe followed it E, climbing steeply toward two enormous fins of rock with an even bigger gap between them.

Back on the **main trail**. Photo looks E.

Entering the big gap between the fins. Photo looks E.

The Sapper Hill trail went right through the gap between the big fins. The fin on the L (N) quickly proved to be more of another isolated pillar. Lupe was soon past it. However, the fin on the R (S) turned out to be the leading edge of a long, continuous, 50 foot high rock wall.

On the **N side of the wall of rock that continued E**. Photo looks ESE.

A glance back at the **pillar** (R of Center) that had been on the L on the way up. **Engineer Creek** and the **Ogilvie River** are seen below flowing toward their **confluence** (Center). Photo looks W.

As Lupe kept climbing and following the trail E, she was now trapped by the wall of rock on the N side of Sapper Hill, which dropped away very sharply. The trail stayed high, close to the wall where the terrain wasn’t that steep. Approaching another tall rock formation on the L, the trail leveled out as Lupe reached a pass.

The view from here was somewhat encouraging. Beyond a minor dip into a forested region, a series of rock formations ahead weren’t as tall and vertical as the others the Carolina Dog had come to so far.

Following the **rock wall** toward the **pass** (L of Center) ahead. Photo looks E.

We might be able to get to the tops of some of these high points, SPHP.

Yes, this definitely looks more promising, Loop. Let’s keep going, though, far enough to see if there’s anything higher ahead. If not, we’ll come back and try to identify and tag Sapper Hill’s summit.

Not to be! Beyond the dip, various rock formations were on both sides of the trail as Lupe climbed to a second pass that was a little higher. The trail continued E from here, now S of a long line of rock formations on the crest of the ridge. Lupe was still generally gaining a little elevation as the trail bounced up and down along a forested, sloping bench that was fairly wide, although sometimes the bench narrowed, putting the American Dingo near cliffs.

Now trapped on the S side of the mountain, the views were spectacular in that direction. Engineer Creek and the Dempster Highway were far below, with more of the Ogilvie Mountains visible beyond a region of lower, forested hills.

Heading down into the **dip** on the way to the **second pass** (Center). Photo looks ESE.

Above **cliffs** on the way E. **Engineer Creek** and the **Dempster Highway** (L) below. Photo looks SW.

The view from the first pass had been encouraging, but before getting too far, Lupe came to one that was not. In fact, it was a serious blow to her hopes of ever reaching the summit of Sapper Hill. Farther E, several prominent high points sat atop the most massive, continuous, vertical wall of rock yet. The closest high point was a big tower jutting skyward.

**Sapper Hill’s likely true summit** (L of Center). Photo looks E.

Not 100% certain yet, but that tower appears to be our objective, Loop.

We’re doomed, SPHP!

Looks that way, Looper. Sure can’t get to the top from this side. We need to find a way back over to the N side of the mountain. Maybe there’s a route up from there, if we can get to it?

Even SPHP had little faith in that notion, but the American Dingo might as well check out the possibilities. Continuing E, Lupe searched for an opportunity to get back over to the N side of the mountain. Her initial attempt well up on a rock wall led only to a dead end.

At the **dead end** (Center). Photo looks E.

Not gonna work, Loopster. Scary and dangerous. We better retreat.

Returning to the trail, SPHP kept hoping that it might lead up to the top of the ridge at some point. In the vicinity of the apparent summit would have been ideal, but anywhere might have helped. However, it never did. Instead, staying well below the crest of the ridge, the trail simply continued E.

Looking for a way up. **Potential summit** (R of Center). Photo looks E.

Below a jagged part of the ridge. Photo looks NW.

Still stuck on the **S side of the mountain**. Photo looks E.

Passing the vicinity of the currently unseen summit, Lupe kept going. The trail faded away. Occasional small cairns continued to mark the route, encouraging further exploration. The views were amazing, and the rock wall itself was incredibly scenic.

Below the **impassable wall**. Photo looks ENE.

An incredible view! **Engineer Creek** (Center & L), **Dempster Highway** (R of Center). Photo looks SE.

Same scene, zoomed in a bit from another vantage point. Photo looks SE.

However, the towering rock wall went on and on, and eventually the view ahead strongly suggested that this was far enough.

Think this is a about it, Sweet Puppy! Appears we’re never going to be able to get up to the top of the ridge, and the E end looks impassable, too. We can’t go around it.

We’re turning back, SPHP?

Yeah, might as well, Loop. It’s not happening. Even if we somehow find a spot where we can reach the ridgeline, we aren’t going to be able to get to the summit.

On the way back, we can still see how high we can get, can’t we, SPHP?

Sure, why not, Loopster?

The first attempt to get as high as possible on the mountain came shortly after starting back W. Ascending a very steep slope, Lupe managed to reach a cleft among the rocks just below a 4 foot drop. SPHP might have been able to get up onto a boulder above this cleft, but Lupe would have needed a boost. The highest rocks in this region appeared to be another 20 feet higher.

This will have to be good enough, Loop. Not going to boost you up there. Too dangerous. We might have a hard time getting back down safely.

Retreating, Lupe continued W. The scenery was a little different going this way.

**Dempster Highway** and **Engineer Creek** (far L). **Ogilvie River** (L of Center). Photo looks W.

The **scenic ridgeline**. Photo looks WNW.

Exploring a **steep slope**. Photo looks W.

A second attempt to get as high as possible came quite a bit farther W, at a spot where a ramp of vegetation so steep that SPHP was reduced to clinging to trees to get up it led to an easier slope that actually brought Lupe over to the N side of the ridge. The Carolina Dog managed to get close to a big knob along the ridgeline, but she couldn’t get up on it, which didn’t really matter, since the knob wasn’t the true summit.

Back on the **N side of the ridge** near the **knob along the ridgeline**. Photo looks E.

While the first attempt to get as high as possible might have been the highest point Lupe reached on Sapper Hill, getting to the ridgeline felt like more of an accomplishment. SPHP shook her paw.

Congratulations, Loopster! After simply driving by admiring it all these years, we finally made it up Sapper Hill (3,084 ft.)!

Well, thank you, SPHP, but are congratulations really in order? We never made it to the true summit. Don’t even really know how high we got, do we? Did you make a GPS track? What does it say?

Yes, we’ve got a GPS track, but how accurate it is elevation-wise, I don’t know, Loop. It claims we got to 3,119 feet. That’s 950 meters, and the topo map shows the highest contour as 940 meters, so it’s within reason. Yet we have to admit that from a peakbagging standpoint, this has been a fail. Even so, we did our best, and made it high on the mountain at multiple points. Not a total success, but a valiant effort!

It’s still disappointing that we didn’t get to the top, SPHP. On the other paw, for a small mountain, Sapper Hill has been truly amazing! It’s been fun exploring way up here. All these towering, dramatic rock formations along the crest of the ridge are impressive, and the views are spectacular! I’m glad we came.

8-19-23, 10:48 AM, 59ºF – Sapper Hill (3,084 ft.) – A bit E of the big knob, just below the crest of the ridge, there was a nice spot with a few trees and plenty of soft tundra where Lupe could relax in comfort. The views were tremendous, and a short rest break before heading back down the mountain seemed to be a good idea. While SPHP scanned the beautiful, unspoiled territory to the N, the American Dingo had water and a silver bowl of Taste the Wild, before curling up on the tundra.

Taking a break high on **Sapper Hill**. **Mount Jeckell** (far R). Photo looks WNW.

Of all the views to the N, the one toward the NNW was of most interest. Two peaks that had long been on Lupe’s list of possibilities were in sight, Mount Jeckell (4,724 ft.) and Peak 4265. A third coveted candidate, Transplant Mountain (4,331 ft.), remained hidden between them.

**Mount Jeckell** (far L), **Peak 4265** (far R). Photo looks NNW.

How do difficult do they look to you, SPHP?

Mount Jeckell looks tough, Loop. The W end where the true summit is, is likely too rugged for us. Peak 4265 is too far away to really tell. I see some rock bands that might cause us difficulty near the top, but maybe they don’t amount to anything? Based on the topo map, Transplant Mountain is probably easiest, but I can’t even see it from here.

15 minutes was about it for the break high on the N side of Sapper Hill. On the way back to the main trail, Lupe climbed an inspiring spire that served as a terrific Dingo perch with a fabulous view. Peak 4068, Mount Jeckell, the Ogilvie River, and the Dempster Highway were all in sight.

On the inspiring spire. **Peak 4068** (Center), **Mount Jeckell** (far R), **Ogilvie River** and **Dempster Highway** (R). Photo looks W.

**Sapper Hill’s most splendid Dingo perch**. **Peak 4068** (R). Photo looks W.

Another look with help from the telephoto lens. **Peak 4068** (R). Photo looks W.

The rest of the return was also very scenic. Once back to the Sapper Hill trail, it was all so perfectly easy, too! Near the W end of the mountain, the view approaching the first pass Lupe had come to on the way up was simply exquisite.

Heading back down to the main trail. Photo looks SW.

Approaching the **first pass** (Center) again. Photo looks W.

**First pass** (Center) in sunshine. Photo looks W.

8-19-23, 12:02 PM, 62ºF, at the RAV4 by the Engineer Creek bridge –

What a terrific half day adventure Sapper Hill turned out to be, Loopster! Wish we’d made it to the top, but I truly enjoyed it all the same.

Me, too, SPHP! So beautiful up there! What’s next, lunch?

Yeah, but not here. You’re going to have to wait a while, chow Dingo. How about lunch at the bubbling pond?

We’re heading S, SPHP? What about Mount Jeckell, Transplant Mountain, and Peak 4265? Aren’t we going to climb any of them?

Not so sure we’re even capable of doing them, Looper, so we’re going to try another peak where I believe we’ll stand a better chance of success. Thinking we should get into position for it this afternoon, since it’s way down at Tombstone Territorial Park.

Oh, I love Tombstone Park! That sounds awesome, too, SPHP!

The Carolina Dog was soon on her pink blanket ready for another very scenic drive S, but only a little more than a km after crossing the bridge over Engineer Creek, SPHP pulled into the Engineer Creek campground and parked the RAV4.

One more thing we’ve got to do here, Loopster! C’mon!

Trotting WNW back along the Dempster Highway, Lupe soon stopped.

Such a lovely day this has turned into! How’s this, SPHP?

Perfect, Loop. Got it! Thank you.

With the iconic view of Sapper Hill as seen from the Dempster Highway down by Engineer Creek captured on pixels, Lupe headed back to the RAV4, and the road to adventure. (End, 8-19-23, 12:22 PM)

**Sapper Hill**, Nahoni Range, Ogilvie Mountains, Yukon Territory, Canada 8-19-23

Links:

Next Adventure Prior Adventure

Lupe’s Scrollable GPS Track & Ascent Statistics

The Dempster Highway Travelogue

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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.