Tag: #Omniten

Cathedral Mountain, Brooks Range, Alaska (8-17-17)

Day 18 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska!

6:18 AM – Light out, sort of.  Lupe sniffed around near the G6 in a thick fog.  It had rained bunches yesterday evening and most of the night.  No rain now, just this gray gloom.  The air was dead calm.  Little hope existed that conditions would change anytime soon.  May as well snooze a few more hours.

8:44 AM – Awake again.  The Carolina Dog was starting the morning off right, barking at a squirrel in the spruce trees nearby.  Still foggy, but the fog was thin enough now so that a bright spot revealed the position of the sun.  Slightly encouraging, but nothing to get excited about yet.

In the meantime, why not get a photo of Looper by the big red metal gate she’d gone by yesterday to start her fabulous adventure to Caribou Mountain (3,179 ft.)?  As long as the fog persisted, there wasn’t much else to do anyway.  SPHP joined Lupe outside the G6.

The foggy morning after climbing Caribou Mountain, Lupe stands near the red metal gate she’d gone past yesterday to start that adventure. The G6 had been, and still was, parked close by. This gate provides access to the Alaska oil pipeline service road, and is located on the W side of the Dalton Highway about a mile S of the Kanuti River. Photo looks W.

Lupe was still standing next to the red gate, when suddenly the sky brightened so much it actually seemed sunny out.  Overhead, the fog was tinged with blue!  Maybe this was only a ground fog that would burn off before long?

9:31 AM – Well, well!  It was true!  The early morning’s gloom had only been a ground fog after all.  First, a tiny patch of blue sky appeared.  It had spread with incredible speed.  Within only 15 minutes, 80% of the sky was clear and bright.  Sort of amazing to watch!  This Arctic weather was so different from back home.  Suddenly, things were looking up for Loopster!  Adventure was back in today’s forecast now!

The fog had only been a ground fog. The morning sun was burning it away at a tremendous pace. Suddenly, adventure was in today’s forecast for Lupe!

And then, unbelievably, the whole process reversed itself.  The sun had only been shining on the dewy tundra for a few minutes, when the additional warmth caused moisture from last night’s rain to evaporate, making the air more humid again.  As quickly as the fog had burned away, it reformed.  Dense fog engulfed the land again.  The sun no longer existed.

Huh.  Weird.  Really strange.  Lupe had never seen anything quite like that before.  Now what?

Apparently anything at all might happen today.  Since Lupe had finished the adventures planned for around here, she might as well continue N.  She would just have to be flexible, and see how things worked out.

The fog and sun continued their battle as SPHP drove N.  Lupe’s first stop was at an important landmark, one that was even more significant since Lupe had recently become the Most High Exalted Dingo of the Arctic Sisterhood after climbing AB Mountain (5,036 ft.) near Skagway 10 days ago.  At milepost 115.5 on the Dalton Highway, Lupe reached the Arctic Circle.

Lupe reaches the Arctic Circle at milepost 115.5 along the Dalton Highway. She had been here in 2016, too, but this time she arrived as the Most High Exalted Dingo of the Arctic Sisterhood!

The sun had been winning its struggle with the fog, so Lupe and SPHP stuck around at the Arctic Circle for a while.  There was both a picnic ground and campground here.  SPHP used one of the picnic tables to prepare a meal.  Meanwhile, Lupe was entertained barking at squirrels in the forest.

Once the meal was consumed, Lupe continued N on the Dalton Highway.  It felt so incredible to be back in the Arctic again!  The drive through mile after mile of Arctic wilderness was like a dream.  Loop stopped briefly at Gobbler’s Knob (milepost 132) for a view of the Brooks Range, which she was rapidly approaching.

Even before reaching milepost 160, Cathedral Mountain (3,350 ft.) came into view.  It hadn’t rained at all on Loop yet this morning, but a shower had passed through here not long before.  The pavement was all wet.  Conditions were admittedly a bit iffy, and it was already getting a little late in the day for starting such a big adventure, but maybe Lupe could still climb Cathedral Mountain?

Only one person who uses Peakbagger.com had ever climbed Cathedral Mountain, and that had been more than 22 years ago.  Richard Carey had been there on 7-29-95.  Fortunately, Carey had written a concise trip report full of useful information.  Carey had mentioned a small pullout with room for only one or two cars at about milepost 168.5.  Nearing the area, SPHP slowed down to look for it.

SPHP didn’t see any small pullout, but there was a really large gravel pullout on the NW side of the Dalton Highway about where Carey had said to look.  Maybe things had changed in 22 years?  Certainly possible.  SPHP parked the G6.  The American Dingo shot out eager for action.  Things looked a bit iffy.  Cathedral Mountain was right across the Dalton Highway from here, but the sky overhead was looking mighty gray.

Cathedral Mountain from the Dalton Highway near milepost 168.5. Photo looks SE.

All was not gloom and doom, however.  A mix of blue sky and puffy clouds was off to the SW, and seemed to be heading this way.  Loop and SPHP were both in favor of taking a chance on Cathedral Mountain.  SPHP got everything ready, and the American Dingo set out on her next big adventure.  (1:56 PM, 53°F)

Water could be heard on the SE side of the Dalton Highway.  A stream was hidden over there in the forest.  By the looks of the terrain, the stream would pass under the highway a short distance back to the SW.  It would be nice to avoid a creek crossing.  Lupe followed the highway SW until she was past where the stream went under it, before turning S and plunging into the forest.

Loopster on the Dalton Highway somewhere near milepost 168.5. Photo looks SW.

Lupe immediately found herself in a densely packed spruce forest on thick, spongy tundra.  Tall, slender bushes were in the mix, too.  This was exciting stuff for the Carolina Dog!  Lupe ran sniffing and exploring, but was careful not to stray too far from SPHP.

Of course, the thick vegetation was still wet from last night’s rains and the recent shower in this area.  Before long, Lupe and SPHP were both soaking wet, too.  Not unexpected.  Onward!

Lupe was immediately impressed with the dense forest off the Dalton Highway. She ran this way and that, excitedly sniffing and exploring.

From the Dalton Highway, a high barren ridge had been visible to the S well above tree line.  That ridge appeared to be in the vicinity of Richard Carey’s successful line of ascent described in his trip report, so Loop needed to get up there.  The ridge couldn’t be seen from down in the dense forest, but Loop and SPHP headed in its general direction.

Before long, water could be heard again.  Another stream!  Lupe reached it, and found the stream wider and deeper than could be readily forded.  Both banks were lined with dense stands of tall bushes.  Just getting in or out of the stream was an issue, never mind across it.  No way!  Maybe if Loop continued upstream far enough there would be a better spot?  The stream might even bend off to the SW, in which case the Carolina Dog wouldn’t even need to cross it.

The terrain down by the stream was a difficult trek.  Too many bushes amid jumbled rocks.  Loop and SPHP turned E to climb onto a low ridge above the creek valley.  This ridge headed SE, which wasn’t the really the direction Lupe needed to go, but would be fine for a little way.  Climbing up onto and moving around on the ridge wasn’t all that easy, either.  Spongy tundra made each step more difficult.  While the spruce trees weren’t all that big, they were close together.

Lupe came to a few spots where the forest wasn’t so dense.  The high barren ridge she needed to get to could then be seen to the S.  Loop could also see farther up the creek valley.  The news wasn’t good.  The valley was turning SE instead of SW.  Sooner or later, Lupe was going to have to find a way across that darn stream.

A view of the ridge Lupe was trying to get to from a rare open spot in the forest. Photo looks S with help from the telephoto lens.
While SPHP fiddled around with maps worrying about streams and ridges and routes and terrain, Lupe was having a grand time in the forest on her first adventure N of the Arctic Circle since she became the Most High Exalted Dingo of the Arctic Sisterhood!
Another view of the ridge Lupe was trying to get to (Center) from a little farther along in the forest. Lupe eventually was able to climb up the closer hill (L of Center), which led her to the E (L) end of the higher ridge. Photo looks S.

Lupe and SPHP continued SE gaining elevation gradually on the low ridge for a while longer.  Finally, the time came to see how much of a problem it was going to be to get across the creek up here.  Lupe went SSW, leaving the ridge to look for the stream.

The stream wasn’t far away.  This time the news was unexpectedly good.  The stream was rushing along, but much smaller up here, only 3 feet wide and not very deep.  Easy squeezy!  SPHP swung across it with the help of an overhanging branch.  Lupe simply leapt across.

One problem solved.  However, an hour had already shot by since leaving the Dalton Highway.  Puppy, ho!  Time to get up on that barren ridge.

Lupe reaches the stream again 0.5 mile upstream of where she had first come to it. The news was good this time. The stream was much smaller up here than it had been down below. Lupe could easily leap across it.

Once beyond the stream, Loop headed S gaining elevation.  The barren ridge she was aiming for was soon in sight ahead.  The climb got steadily steeper and steeper.  Progress seemed slow.

Another big hill was closer than the barren ridge Lupe was heading for.  It looked like it might connect to the barren ridge much higher up than where the Carolina Dog was now.  Maybe Loop should climb this hill?  Getting above all the trees, bushes, and spongy tundra would be a huge help.  Seemed to make sense.  Yeah, Loop was going to try this closer hill instead of trudging through this difficult stuff all the way to the base of the barren ridge.

The climb up the nearer hill was quite steep.  The trees soon thinned out, though scattered trees and plenty of bushes remained for a while.  The hill narrowed.  Higher up, Looper started coming to rock outcroppings.  The rock formations were small, only 10 or 20 feet high.  The American Dingo always found a way around them, though they sometimes slowed progress.  Before she’d climbed terribly far, Lupe was beginning to get views of the Koyukuk River.

Only partway up the first big hill Lupe climbed she started getting views of the Koyukuk River. Photo looks N.
Rain showers are in progress beyond the Koyukuk River. Photo looks NW.

After what seemed like a long climb, Lupe managed to reached the top of the hill.  She found that this wasn’t a separate hill at all.  Loop was on a small level ridge protruding N from the rest of Cathedral Mountain.  There were no trees here, although some bushes were around.  Most of the ridge was covered with tundra and small rock outcroppings.  Lupe had plenty of room to move around, and the views were the best yet.

Loop had expended so much energy having a blast down in the forest, that she was ready for a rest break.  SPHP concurred.

Lupe curls up for a rest upon reaching the ridgeline at the top of the first big hill she’d just climbed. Her peakbagging goal, the summit of Cathedral Mountain, is beyond her at Center. Photo looks E.
Lupe relaxes near the end of the small ridge. The Koyukuk River is in view. Photo looks N.
Koyukuk River from the far end of the ridge. The Dalton Highway is on the near side of the river. Photo looks N.

While Loop rested, SPHP studied the topo map and read Richard Carey’s trip report again.  Carey hadn’t mentioned anything about a stream crossing.  As soon as Lupe had come to the stream, SPHP had suspected that she hadn’t started from the exact same place as Carey.

The topo map concurred.  It seemed fairly certain Lupe had started out about a mile farther NE on the Dalton Highway than Carey had.  Maybe more like at milepost 169.5 than 168.5.  Eh, whatever.  Looper must have started from just N of the streams shown in Section 12, and had left the Dalton Highway between them.  If the American Dingo had only gone a little farther SW on the highway before leaving it, she would have completely avoided both streams.

This little ridge Lupe was on right now was between the “A” and “L” at the end of “Cathedral” on the map.  The barren ridge Lupe was trying to get to was Carey’s “small hill” in the 2,500 ft. contour ENE of High Point 2545.  Carey had passed a little S of this hill on his way E from the “low saddle”, which couldn’t be seen from here.  All Loopster had to do now was gain the remaining 200+ feet of elevation required to reach the top of the barren ridge.  She would then be in position to intercept Carey’s route the rest of the way.

Simple enough.  The small ridge Lupe was already on connected directly to the slope leading up to E end of the barren ridge.  Best get on with it.  It had taken SPHP two hours just to get this far, and it was still a long way to the top of Cathedral Mountain.  The weather might put an end to things at any time.  Loop had been lucky so far, but rain showers were always in sight not terribly far away.

The ridge Lupe is on leads straight to the E end of the barren ridge she has been trying to get to all this time (Center). The top of the barren ridge is 200+ feet of elevation gain from here. Photo looks SSW.

Reaching the top of the barren ridge seemed to require more like 250 feet of elevation gain than 200 feet.  The upper slope was surprisingly steep.  Lupe had no problems, but SPHP was grasping for anything at all to hang onto, which wasn’t much.  Nevertheless, both Loop and SPHP made it to the top.

For the first time, Lupe could now see territory S of Cathedral Mountain.  A check of the topo map matched up with what Loop was seeing exactly as expected.  No doubt at all where she was now.

Lupe finally reaches the top of the barren ridge. Both the true summit of Cathedral Mountain (Center) and the slightly lower N summit (L) are in sight. Photo looks E.
Having reached the top of the barren ridge, Lupe could now see territory on the other side of Cathedral Mountain. The Dalton Highway is in view passing through low ground dotted with small lakes. Lake 1035 is the larger lake on the L. Photo looks SW.
The “low saddle” Carey had gone through on his ascent is seen between Lupe and the ridge at Center, which is High Point 2545. Twelvemile Mountain (3,180 ft.) is the multi-peaked mountain seen faintly beyond High Point 2545. Photo looks WSW.

From the barren ridge, Lupe could now join up with Carey’s route by heading SE toward an upper saddle at 2,750+ feet elevation.  Lupe had a good view of this upper saddle, though the camera produced a lousy one due to moisture on the lens.  A brief rain shower was sweeping over the area as the Carolina Dog was about to continue on again.

The upper 2,750+ ft. saddle (Center) from the barren ridge. Not such a hot shot due to a rain shower in progress, but still shows the overall lay of the terrain quite well. Lupe was heading for this upper saddle next. Photo looks SE.

The rain shower didn’t last long and was of no consequence.  Lupe lost a bit of elevation leaving the barren ridge for the upper saddle, but was soon regaining it traversing a steep slope well below a rocky ridgeline.  The slope was surprisingly tough going – slanty with minor drop offs, spongy tundra, and lots of bushes.  Lupe finally climbed higher up on the slope close to the lower rocks, and things were a bit better up here.

Looking back on the way to the upper saddle. High Point 2545 is the hill L of Center. Beyond it and a little more to the L is Twelvemile Mountain (3,180 ft.). The barren ridge Lupe had just left is on the R. The low saddle Carey had crossed is at Center. Photo looks W.
Lupe approaches the upper saddle. The rain shower has moved on. Photo looks SE.
Looking back again from near the upper saddle. High Point 2545 is in the foreground at Center. The low saddle is next to it on the R. Twelvemile Mountain is in the distance beyond the Koyukuk River on the L. Photo looks W.

Lupe passed slightly above and to the N of the upper saddle.  She was now heading E on the S side of Cathedral Mountain.  Ahead was another even slightly higher saddle at 2,800+ feet elevation.  On the S side of this highest saddle, High Point 2955 was in view.

Lupe at the N end of the upper saddle. An even higher saddle at 2,800+ ft. elevation is in view on the R along with High Point 2955. Cathedral Mountain’s main E/W ridgeline is on the L. Photo looks SE.

From here, Carey had continued E staying somewhat below and to the S of Cathedral Mountain’s main ridgeline.  The top of the ridgeline was to be avoided, since it was so rocky and jagged.  Actually, the way SPHP read it, Carey had probably bypassed this upper saddle staying quite a bit higher and closer to the ridgeline than where Loop was now.

That didn’t matter.  Lupe could easily angle up nearer the ridgeline as she kept going E.  She headed toward a big rock fairly high on the slope N of the 2,800+ foot saddle.

From here Lupe would head for the highest big rock seen R of Center. Photo looks ESE.
Lupe reaches the big rock on the slope N of the highest 2,800+ ft. saddle. The 2,750+ ft. upper saddle is in view on the R. The low saddle Carey had come though is at far R well beyond it. Twelvemile Mountain is in the distance on the R. Photo looks WSW.

From the big rock, Lupe continued E, slowly gaining elevation.  At first, this route was pretty easy.  However, the slope kept steepening.  As the tundra thinned out, Loop was more and more frequently traversing loose scree slopes.

Lupe continues E on Cathedral Mountain’s S slope not too far below the ridgeline. It was still easy going along in here. Photo looks WNW.
Making progress. Cathedral Mountain’s SE ridge is now in view on the R. Photo looks E.
The slope kept getting steeper as Lupe proceeded E. Vegetation thinned out and Loop began encountering more scree. Photo looks E.

For quite a long way, Lupe could see part of Cathedral Mountain’s SE ridge ahead.  A long slope on this side of it slanted steeply up to the N leading to the still unseen summit.  If Lupe could get over to that slope, SPHP was pretty certain she stood a good chance of reaching Cathedral Mountain’s summit, provided it could be reached without any technical climbing.  Carey hadn’t mentioned any.

However, it was still in question whether or not it would be possible to get over there.  The slope Loop was on kept getting steeper, and SPHP feared the Carolina Dog was going to come to an impassable point.  The views immediately below Lupe’s position were becoming incredible, and a bit intimidating.  SPHP quit looking down.

The mountain presented a series of minor “horizons” coming down the S slope that Lupe couldn’t see beyond until she got to them.  One by one she crossed them going E, but another always appeared a little farther on.  SPHP kept wondering if Loop was too high or low on the mountain?  The answer wasn’t obvious.  The Carolina Dog just kept going.

Finally, a much larger ragged line of rock appeared extending down the S slope from Cathedral Mountain’s main ridgeline.  What would Lupe find there?  Would she be able to get beyond it?  More to the point, could SPHP get beyond it?  Being able to turn that corner was critical to success.  Carey had done it, but he had genuine mountaineering experience.

Lupe needed to reach the greenish slope below Cathedral Mountain’s SE ridge seen on the R. That slope goes N (L) right up to the summit. Carey had done it, but he had real mountaineering experience. The line of rocks coming down from the ridgeline ahead on the L made it questionable whether SPHP could get over there. Photo looks ENE.
Lupe was feeling confident, even if SPHP had doubts. Just have to be able to turn this last corner! Photo looks ENE.

About the time Lupe reached the rocky spine coming down from the main ridgeline, a second rain shower appeared heading straight this way.  SPHP donned the rain poncho.  Once again, Lupe got wet, SPHP didn’t, and the shower passed by fairly quickly without putting a serious damper on things.

A second rain shower swept over Loop and SPHP at the hardest part of the climb up Cathedral Mountain, but fortunately didn’t last long before sailing away. Photo looks back to the SW.

Loop and SPHP had to down climb a bit to get around the rocky spine, but succeeded in getting by it. The worst part of the trek to Cathedral Mountain’s summit was now behind the American Dingo!  If the summit wasn’t technical, she was going to get there.  That wouldn’t be known until she climbed hundreds of feet up the steep scree slope ahead.

After getting by the rocky spine, Lupe still faced a long steep climb up to the ridgeline where she expected to find Cathedral Mountain’s summit. Photo looks NE.

Up, up, up!  Steep.  Real steep, but Lupe was finally approaching the ridgeline.  Big rock formations sat atop much of it, but Lupe could keep progressing E easily enough staying a bit below them.  The summit couldn’t be too far away!

After a long climb up the really steep scree slope, Lupe sits among rocks only slightly below Cathedral Mountain’s main E/W ridgeline. The summit is just beyond the high point in sunshine on the R. Photo looks ENE.
Near the top of the ridge not too far W of the summit. Lupe had come up the slope on the L. Photo looks WSW.
A look at Cathedral Mountain’s SE ridge. Photo looks ESE.

A little W of the mountain’s true summit, Lupe reached the top of the main E/W ridgeline.  Now she could see in almost every direction.  The views were stupendous!  So, so beautiful!

Right up on top of the main E/W ridge now. Photo looks WSW.
A rain shower sweeps through territory between Twelvemile Mountain (3,180 ft.) (L) and the Koyukuk River. Photo looks W.
Cathedral Mountain’s N summit from the main E/W ridgeline. Photo looks NNE.
The Koyukuk River and Cathedral Mountain’s slightly lower N summit. Photo looks N.

An easy stroll E along the main ridgeline brought Lupe to the summit of Cathedral Mountain.  Here she found two 10 foot high knobs of rock.  They were separated by 12 to 15 feet of level ground covered with vegetation.  The E knob appeared clearly higher by a foot or two.  Neither of the knobs was very large on top, but there was room for Loop to sit or stand comfortably.

Lupe scrambled up onto the higher E knob first.  She found a small cairn on top protecting two tin cans that were painted red.  The larger can was turned upside down over the smaller one to shield it from the weather.  The American Dingo had made it!  Despite SPHP’s fears and doubts near the end of the journey, she sat calmly and confidently at the true summit of Cathedral Mountain (3,350 ft.)!

Lupe sits by the cairn at the true summit of Cathedral Mountain! Photo looks ENE.
Loop on top of Cathedral Mountain. The red tin can protecting a smaller one inside containing a registry is in view as Loop found it. Photo looks ENE.
Cathedral Mountain was the first mountain N of the Arctic Circle that Lupe climbed after becoming the Most High Exalted Dingo of the Arctic Sisterhood by climbing AB Mountain (5,036 ft.) near Skagway 10 days ago. Photo looks ENE.

So was there a registry inside the smaller tin can?  Yes, there was!  Inside was a plastic bag containing a pencil and a small notebook serving as a registry.  A surprising number of entries were contained in it.  Far more people had been up on Cathedral Mountain than SPHP would ever have expected.

Inside the front cover was something amazing.  The notebook was in such good condition, it was hard to believe it was true.  Richard Carey himself had brought this very notebook to the top of Cathedral Mountain more than 22 years ago!  His was the first entry!

The notebook serving as a registry was in such great condition it was hard to believe Richard Carey had placed it up here more than 22 years ago. Inside the front cover, his was the very first entry.

SPHP entered Lupe’s name in the registry to make her ascent official.  Lupe received lots of praise for her valiant efforts to get here, and SPHP shook her sweet paw in congratulations.  SPHP recited how Cathedral Mountain was her 3rd summit ever N of the Arctic Circle and 1st of 2017, what memorable adventures each ascent had been, and how splendid each peak was!

Loop was pretty happy with all the richly deserved attention.  Of course, the notebook and pencil went back in the plastic bag and inside the little red tin can.  Everything got put back exactly as Lupe had found it.

Then, even though the day was getting so late it made SPHP nervous considering how long it had taken to get here, it was time to relax a bit up on Cathedral Mountain.  Picture time!  These were views Loop and SPHP would never want to forget.

Cathedral Mountain’s N summit with the Koyukuk River in the background. Photo looks NNE.
A rain shower sweeps over the Koyukuk River valley. Photo looks NNW.
Looking down on High Point 2955 in the foreground. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.
Cathedral Mountain’s SE ridge is on the R in shadow. Photo looks ESE.
Loopster up on the slightly lower W knob in competition for the title of true summit of Cathedral Mountain. Photo looks WSW.
On the W knob, only a foot or two lower than the true summit. Photo looks W.
Evening sunlight filters through clouds and rain showers down onto the Koyukuk River. Photo looks NW.
Looking NNE farther up the Koyukuk River valley. Cathedral Mountain’s N summit is in the foreground. Photo taken with lots of help from the telephoto lens.
Looking WSW over part of Cathedral Mountain’s main E/W ridge with lots of help from the telephoto lens.
Twelvemile Mountain (3,180 ft.) (Center) in evening sunlight. Photo looks W.

After nearly 40 minutes at the top of Cathedral Mountain, the sad moment of departure drew near.  What a magnificent peak!  Lupe climbed up on top of the summit’s W knob one more time.

Before departing, Lupe scrambled up on the W knob one more time. Photo looks E.
Loop’s last moments atop Cathedral Mountain. Photo looks E.

The return trip was marvelous!  It had seemed to SPHP that maybe Loop had been too low for too long on the ascent.  At times, things had looked easier higher up.  Of course, there was a lot of rock along the top of the ridgeline.  Maybe it wasn’t possible to stay so high, but on the way back, Loopster was going to try.

Staying high worked.  This was a faster route with amazing views.  Lupe was eventually forced down off the ridgeline, but not until she was getting close to the highest saddle N of High Point 2955.

Heading down, but staying high along the main ridgeline as long as possible. This was a better route than the way Lupe had come up. Twelvemile Mountain is on the R. Photo looks WSW.
Loop almost always had to stay on the S side of the main E/W ridgeline when forced to make a choice. The N side was usually cliffy. That wasn’t always true. Here she’s on the N side of the mountain with a fantastic view of the Koyukuk River. Photo looks N.
Done with the main ridge and descending to the highest saddle. High Point 2955 is on the L. Photo looks SW with lots of help from the telephoto lens.
Lupe explores the highest saddle. Photo looks WSW.

Instead of returning to the top of the barren ridge on the way back, Lupe skirted it to the S as Richard Carey had done.  She passed over the low saddle NE of High Point 2545 retracing Carey’s route.  She continued W along the mountainside a little beyond the saddle before turning N and descending between two rounded bald hills.

Lupe with a grand view of the Koyukuk River from the W end of the low saddle Richard Carey had crossed N of High Point 2545. Photo looks N.

Lupe’s route below the bald hills was steep, but was full of thick tundra, which made it soft and easy.  Going up here would have been tough, but Loop made rapid progress down the slope.  She never did have to cross a stream, although she did cross a long stretch of boggy terrain on a much more gentle slope nearing the Dalton Highway.

The light was almost gone by the time Lupe made it back to the Dalton Highway.  A 0.25 mile gradual uphill trek remained to Alpo and a warm blankie inside the G6.  What a wonderful day Cathedral Mountain had been!  (11:00 PM)

The Koyukuk River from the low saddle near day’s end, Cathedral Mountain, Brooks Range, Alaska 8-17-17

Want more Lupe adventures?  Choose from Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska Adventure Index, Dingo Vacations Adventure Index or Master Adventure Index.  Or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures.

Caribou Mountain, Alaska (8-16-17)

Day 17 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska!

4:20 AM – Light rain.  The sky showed no improvement.  Lupe wanted out.  SPHP let her go.  She sniffed around in the ditch next to the Dalton Highway on Finger Mountain (2,202 ft.).  It was still dark out, but not completely.  The first faint hint of dawn made it possible to see Loop dimly as she trotted this way and that conducting her investigations.

Suddenly there was movement in the air!  A large bird swooped out of the night to hover directly over Lupe, perhaps 15 or 20 feet above her.  The bird hovered only a few seconds before flying off, but returned a moment later.  It appeared to be some kind of an owl.  An owl intent on Dingo for breakfast!

Lupe took no notice of the owl swooping and hovering above her.  The owl made 7 or 8 different passes before wisely flying off into the gloom, no doubt deeply disappointed that the American Dingo hadn’t been half as big.  Apparently a 30+ pound Dingo was beyond its capabilities.

The Carolina Dog returned to the G6 completely oblivious to the fact that her first and last red eye flight over Finger Mountain’s tundra had been fortuitously cancelled.  Loop curled up and went back to sleep.

7:52 AM – Oh, joy!  SPHP woke to find the rain had ended.  Half the sky was blue!  It was going to be a great day.  Lupe was going to get to climb Caribou Mountain (3,179 ft.) after all!

Before heading for Caribou Mountain, though, Loopster ought to climb Finger Mountain again.  The summit was only 100 yards from the Dalton Highway.  Lupe had been up there yesterday afternoon, but conditions were much better now.  A second journey up Finger Mountain would take hardly any time at all.

In only a few minutes, the Carolina Dog was standing on the summit rocks once again.

On the way to the summit of Finger Mountain. Blue sky had been hard to come by in recent days. It was exciting to see it again! Photo looks NNE.
Lupe back on the highest rock on Finger Mountain. She’d been here yesterday afternoon and in August, 2016, too!
Although half the sky was blue, SPHP soon realized there was fog around, too, some of which can be seen in the background beyond where Lupe is poised dramatically atop Finger Mountain. Photo looks SSW.
Loopster did need a boost from SPHP to get up there. From the other side, it’s not as difficult as it looks from here. Photo looks SSW.
Owls? What owls? I don’t see any owls. Why would I want to keep an eye out for big owls up here? You aren’t making a lick of sense, SPHP!

Back at the G6, SPHP needed to get a few things ready before Lupe left Finger Mountain to look for a place from which to begin her ascent of Caribou Mountain.  After hearing SPHP’s tale about a giant owl that had been ready to swoop down and carry her off into the night to be devoured, Loop decided she would wait inside the G6.

Lupe rests in the G6 while waiting for SPHP to get ready for Caribou Mountain. She pondered the crazy, scary tale SPHP told her about an owl swooping down out of the night sky wanting to devour her. What is an owl, anyway? How big are they really? Are we talking chickadees or pterodactyls here?

Caribou Mountain is only 7 miles WNW of Finger Mountain.  Lupe was going to head a few miles N on the Dalton Highway to see if she could find a place to start closer to it, but the mountain was already in view.  Did Loop want to have a look at Caribou Mountain from Finger Mountain before heading out?

Yes, she did!  No owl would dare swoop down on a fully grown ferocious American Dingo in broad daylight!  If it did, it would be that owl’s last swoop ever.  We’d see just who would devour who.  SPHP was full of it.  Maybe it was August Fool’s Day or something?

Lupe crossed over to the W side of the Dalton Highway.  She climbed up on the same rock formation she had visited yesterday over here.  Sure enough, there was Caribou Mountain (3,179 ft.) off to the WNW.  It looked easy!  Just a miles long, gentle ridge.  Why, Lupe would have a blast up there!  Running around exploring open tundra was one of her favorite things.

Caribou Mountain (R in the distance) from Finger Mountain. Photo looks WNW.
Loop on the Dalton Highway near the G6 before leaving for Caribou Mountain. The summit of Finger Mountain is the knob of rock on the R. Photo looks NE.

After taking a gander at Caribou Mountain from Finger Mountain, Lupe and SPHP took off in the G6 heading N on the Dalton Highway.  The idea was to find a place along the highway where the G6 could be stashed somewhere close to the end of Caribou Mountain’s miles long NE ridge.

SPHP was surprised to see buildings W of the Dalton Highway where the best place to start an ascent of Caribou Mountain seemed to be.  There was no sign of anyone around.  The place looked like an abandoned homestead, but maybe not, too.  The buildings didn’t look old enough to be certain.

Buildings way out here?  A lone house 15 miles from the Arctic Circle?  Was this area private property?  SPHP had no clue.  It seemed unlikely to say the least.  Hmm.  SPHP drove on to see what other possibilities might exist.

After driving back and forth over the same few miles several times, SPHP finally parked the G6 along the edge of a wide gravel road 30 feet from where it left the W side of the Dalton Highway.  Lupe was a little farther N than SPHP would have liked, about a mile S of the Kanuti River, but the chances of an angry landowner suddenly appearing here seemed remote.

The short road was blocked by a large red metal gate.  This road was a link to the Alaska oil pipeline service road only a short distance from the highway.  The G6 was parked leaving plenty of room so service vehicles needing to get by could easily do so.

When Lupe set out (9:39 AM, 50°F), the summit of Caribou Mountain (3,179 ft.) was about 4 miles away as the crow or evil owl flies, perhaps 5 following the NE ridge.  A line of trees blocked views of the ridge from the G6.  Loop and SPHP went around the red gate, which was chained shut, and followed the gravel road.  A short stroll brought Lupe beyond the stand of trees.

Ahead was a mixed deciduous forest of small trees and tall bushes.  Beyond the forest was a big hill, part of a rounded ridge leading higher and farther S.  A conifer forest was present on lower portions of the big hill, but the upper slopes looked like a mostly barren region of alpine tundra.

Lupe’s first mission was clear.  She needed to get beyond the forests and bushes.  If the Carolina Dog could reach the alpine tundra, she should have an easy obstacle-free climb the rest of the way up the big hill.  From there she could proceed to the ridge beyond it.

Only a few minutes after leaving the G6 and bypassing the red metal gate, Lupe came to this view of a big hill she would need to climb. Beyond the hill, she could continue up Caribou Mountain’s NE ridge. Photo looks SSW.

Loop followed the road as far as it went toward the big hill, which wasn’t far at all.  Directly ahead was an area that looked like flat, easy terrain.  However, it proved to be full of tussocks and boggy.  A tremendously thick layer of spongy vegetation gave way at each step.

It soon became clear that Lupe was heading for a pond.  There seemed to be somewhat higher ground on the N side of the pond, which proved to be true.  The ground here was much firmer and drier.  Lupe managed to circle around the N and W sides of the pond without further difficulties.

Lupe on drier ground along the N side of the pond. The pond had a small island (Center) in it. The hill Lupe is headed for is on the R. Photo looks S.
Looking back at the pond after getting past it. Photo looks NE.

Once around the pond, Lupe was almost immediately confronted with an area dominated by a dense tangle of bushes higher than SPHP’s head.  The terrain was beginning to rise here, but was rough and uneven.  Low spots were filled with water, in some places several feet deep.

This region was a real jungle for Lupe.  Even SPHP couldn’t see a thing.  At least Looper could maneuver through it reasonably well, but for SPHP it was a tough slog trying to force a way through.  Fortunately the dense jungle trek wasn’t terribly long.  The Carolina Dog eventually stumbled upon a little hill about 10 feet high.  Beyond it was a more open slope of scattered conifers and bushes.

Loop down in the jungle wondering why SPHP had led her to this place?
Beyond the jungle of bushes, Lupe came to more open ground where scattered pines and bushes were plentiful. These bushes were not nearly so large as those comprising the jungle had been. Photo looks SW.

The terrain was now rising at a steady clip.  It wasn’t steep, but going up the long slope was harder than anticipated.  The scattered forest was surprisingly wet and boggy.  Small pools of water, often connected by little streams, were all over the place.  Tussocks were present, making footing unreliable.  Deadfall timber was scattered about, but wasn’t too much of a problem since the trees here were stunted.  A fair number of dead trees were still standing.

Lupe and SPHP forged ahead, trying to aim for whatever seemed to be the driest part of the slope.  Gradually the trees and bushes thinned out and disappeared.  The pools of water and little streams faded away, too.  Lupe had made it to the mostly barren upper slopes of the big hill.  Underpaw were small rocks and sparse tundra vegetation.

Lupe reaches the barren upper slopes of the hill she’s been climbing. The trees, bushes and wet terrain have all been left behind down below. The pond Lupe had passed by is now seen beyond Lupe way down at the base of the hill. The Dalton Highway is in view, too. Photo looks NNE.

The climb was steeper up here, but the terrain was great.  No obstacles at all!  Somewhere along the way, Lupe reached the top of the big hill she’d been aiming for, but it was hard to say exactly where.  It was all part of a broad, rounded ridge continuing higher.  The American Dingo just kept climbing.

On the way up to Caribou Mountain’s main NE ridgeline. Steeper here than down below, but this was obstacle-free terrain far easier than what Lupe had dealt with earlier. Photo looks SW.
Getting closer to the main ridgeline. Things are starting to level out quite a bit. If SPHP had been able to park the G6 farther S where originally planned, Lupe would have been coming up the ridge seen in the distance on the L. Photo looks SE.

Lupe reached Caribou Mountain’s main NE ridgeline at a particularly barren point.  Hardly any vegetation was present here.  Small reddish rocks covered the ground.  The area was quite flat, having only a slightly rounded aspect to it.  A couple hundred yards ahead was a cluster of rocks perhaps 25 or 30 feet high.  To the SE was a bigger hill along the ridgeline, High Point 2355 on the topo map.

If SPHP had been able to park the G6 farther S as originally intended, Lupe would have arrived here from the direction of High Point 2355.  As it was, the Carolina Dog had effectively bypassed it.

Lupe reaches Caribou Mountain’s main NE ridgeline. Ahead on the R is a cluster of rocks she would go explore. On the L is High Point 2355. Photo looks S.
Olsons Lake is one of the large ponds in the distance beyond Lupe. Photo looks E.

For the first time, the summit of Caribou Mountain was now in view, about 3 miles to the SW.  Lupe could see much of the very wide, gently rounded NE ridge leading to it.  A number of high points were visible along the way.

The summit of Caribou Mountain is on the L. A huge part of Caribou Mountain’s NE ridge is in view here. After exploring the cluster of rocks nearby (not pictured off the L edge), Loop would next continue on to the closest, but lower, high point seen in shadow on the R. Photo looks SW.

Before continuing on toward the summit, Lupe went to check out the nearby cluster of rocks.  She climbed partway up, getting quite close to the top.

Caribou Mountain from the N end of the cluster of rocks. Photo looks SW.
Lupe up on the cluster of rocks. Photo looks NW.
Intrepid Carolina Dog, Lupe, on her way to Caribou Mountain.

After finishing her fun little scramble on the cluster of rocks, all Lupe had to do was keep following Caribou Mountain’s vast NE ridge toward the summit.  The next high point along the way was a small rocky ridge about 15 minutes away off to the W.  Loopster would actually lose a little elevation going over to it.

As Lupe neared this next high point, the terrain changed a bit.  Medium size rocks were strewn around the area near the ridge.  Small trees and bushes grew here.  The ridge itself was 40 or 50 feet high, consisting of rough rock and assorted large boulders.  A short easy rock hopping scramble would get Loop to the top.

Approaching the next high point along Caribou Mountain’s NE ridge. This rocky little ridge would be a quick, easy scramble for the Carolina Dog. Photo looks WNW.
On the highest rocks. High Point 2355 is in the distance R of Center. Photo looks E.
Still on the highest rocks, but looking NE now.

Lupe had approached this small ridge from the E, which turned out to be its highest and most dramatic side.  Beyond the boulders at the top, the ridge was more like a relatively level hilltop.  Medium size rocks and small bushes covered this area.  Several more large boulders were here, too.  Lupe got up on one of the biggest.

Loop up on another big rock. On the L are some of the bushes and medium size rocks that cover the flat hilltop on the W side of this little ridge. In the distance on the L are several high points leading to the summit of Caribou Mountain. Photo looks SW.
The sky was starting to cloud up, but the weather wasn’t an issue yet. The summit of Caribou Mountain is in the distance on the L. Photo looks SW.
I can see for miles from up here in every direction, but still haven’t seen a single owl, SPHP! You sure you didn’t make that scary owl story up? Hey, isn’t this Caribou Mountain? Come to think of it, I haven’t seen any caribou yet, either! What’s up with that?

Continuing on, Lupe scrambled down the W side of the rocky hilltop.  Two much bigger high points were now ahead to the SW.  The summit of Caribou Mountain was in view beyond them.

After a short scramble down off the rocky hill, two much larger high points are ahead. The summit of Caribou Mountain is beyond them in the distance. Photo looks SW.

These next two high points were not collections of medium to large rocks and boulders, like the two high points Looper had just visited.  They were big, rounded hills covered with alpine tundra and mostly smaller rocks.

Loop did not go clear to the top of either of these next two high points.  Expending the extra energy required to do so was unnecessary.  The smooth, steadily rising slope made it easier to simply skirt around the NW side of each hill, although Lupe did pass fairly close to the summits in both cases.

Loop beyond the first of the big hills. She would go around the NW (R) side of the next hill seen on the R, too. Photo looks SW.

Nearing the second of the big hills, Lupe came to another cluster of big rocks and boulders that formed a small prominent point perhaps 20 to 25 feet high.  SPHP was well beyond this prominence, before realizing that the American Dingo was still back there.

Lupe had discovered some sort of squirrel or pika or something similar that apparently made this cluster of rocks its home.  The Carolina Dog was in hot pursuit of the lively squirrel, which was extraordinarily quick and agile.  The squirrel leapt confidently boulder to boulder, circling the cluster of rocks, suddenly appearing as if by magic first one place then another.

The squirrel had the advantage of being able to scramble way up to the top of the spire where Lupe couldn’t possibly reach it.  However, the squirrel didn’t seem to realize it was completely safe up there, and kept darting down among the lower rocks hoping to get out of sight.

For Lupe this was an exhilarating game of chase!  When it came to speed and agility, she was no slouch either.  She bounded around circling the whole rock cluster at such an enthusiastic, single-minded pace, that SPHP feared Loop might break a leg, if this game wasn’t brought to a speedy end.  SPHP had to call her twice before she reluctantly left the squirrel unharmed, still lord and master of its rock cluster.

Lupe returned to SPHP breathless, panting hard, with an enormous grin on her face.  For the next little while, she roamed far and wide searching diligently for another squirrel, but her efforts were disappointed.

Continuing up toward the second big high point (R). Photo looks SW.
Looking back down Caribou Mountain’s NE ridge. The closest high point (L of Center) is the first of the big hills, which Loop is now well above. The small rocky ridge she had been to before that is beyond it on the L. Photo looks NE.
On rocky ground not too far from where the lively squirrel was. Lupe is already beyond that little adventure. The second big hill is dead ahead.
Looper on her way around the second big hill. She’s fairly high on its upper NW slope, standing on one of a series of minor rock outcroppings in this area. Photo looks WNW.
Still along a line of minor rock outcroppings on the way around the second hill’s NW slope. Caribou Mountain’s summit is ahead on the L. Photo looks SSW.

When Lupe made it beyond the second big hill, she found herself in a moderately sloping area.  This region had a fair amount of small to medium size rock, and was surprisingly boggy.  The water supply made the tundra more lush here.  Ahead, a long ridge slanted steadily up from the N toward the NE end of a dark hill.

The summit of Caribou Mountain was somewhere up on that hill.  From a distance, the summit had appeared heavily forested.  By now, though, Lupe could clearly see that it wasn’t.  The hill consisted of exposed dark colored rocks and boulders.

Lupe traipsed through the boggy area, angling WSW toward the ridge slanting up to the NE base of the summit hill.

Beyond the second big hill, Lupe reaches a surprisingly boggy area full of pools and trickling streams. She headed WSW (R) to get up on the ridge sloping up to the base of Caribou Mountain’s summit hill (Center). Photo looks SSW.

The boggy area was more extensive than anticipated.  It took longer than expected to get through it, and make the trek up the ridge.  Eventually, though, Lupe was approaching the hill of dark rock at the top of Caribou Mountain.  It was maybe 125 to 150 feet high, and would be a pretty steep scramble the entire way up.

Loop approaches Caribou Mountain’s big summit hill comprised of dark rocks. A steep scramble up the NE face awaits her. This hill was perhaps 125 to 150 feet high. Photo looks SW.
Looper could have scrambled up the E end of the summit hill. This route would have been longer, but not as steep. Instead of taking this E route, Loop went right up the NE face. Photo looks S.

The scramble up the NE face of the big summit hill was fun and actually quite easy.  It went quickly.  Most of the rocks were stable, and it wasn’t hard to find routes avoiding the biggest boulders and other impassable spots.  Many rocks were covered with bright orange lichens.

Loop pauses to check out the views on the way up the NE face of the big summit hill. She had plenty of time to look around while pokey SPHP tried to keep up.
Bright orange lichens grew on many rocks.

At the end of the scramble, Lupe reached a gently sloping region.  The top of the summit hill was a vast area many acres in size. The ground was covered with scattered patches of alpine tundra.  Between the patches were ditches full of rocks.  Each patch of tundra was sort of like an island, surrounded by these rock-filled ditches.

From a great distance, a little dark knob had been visible up on top of Caribou Mountain.  As it turned out, Lupe had scrambled up quite near it.  She could now see that the dark knob was actually a hill of rock about 75 feet high superimposed upon the vast general summit region she had just reached.  Unless something higher was hidden beyond it, the true summit of Caribou Mountain had to be up on this final rocky hill.

Lupe reaches Caribou Mountain’s general summit region. The 75 foot high hill ahead is the dark knob she had seen from miles away. Photo looks SW.

The N face of the smaller hill was another fun scramble.  Lupe came up right between the two highest rocks.  It was instantly clear Loop had made it to the true summit of Caribou Mountain (3,179 ft.)!

On the highest rock was a survey benchmark.  It even said Caribou.

To SPHP’s surprise, Lupe found this Caribou survey benchmark on the highest rock on Caribou Mountain.
Lupe reaches the true summit of Caribou Mountain. The survey benchmark is next to and slightly behind Loop on the L. Much of the long NE ridge Lupe had followed to get here is seen beyond her in the distance. Photo looks NE.
View to the NW from the true summit. The deep valley beyond the barren light green territory in the foreground is the Kanuti River valley.

After an initial look around, Lupe found a bigger surprise 25 feet SW of the true summit.  Among the rocks was another survey marker.  Next to the marker were two plaques in memory of Jamie & Jason Burroughs.

25 feet SW of the true summit, Lupe discovered another survey marker and two plaques in memory of Jamie & Jason Burroughs.
Were Jamie and Jason siblings? It seemed likely. They were born within a few years of each other. Both died young. Jamie lived only 18 years. Jason passed away 2 days after his 34th birthday.

Stashed among the rocks near the plaques were a clear plastic jar and a thermos with the Big Dipper and North Star on it.  The jar contained only a plastic bag with a pen and two pencils in it.  The thermos was tightly stuffed with two plastic bags containing more pens, registries, and some other papers.

Stashed among the rocks near the commemorative plaques were a clear plastic jar and a thermos with the Big Dipper and North Star on it.

The registries contained so few entries, SPHP read them all.  One entry of particular interest was by Jason Burroughs dated 2008 or 2009.  Jason had written that he had lived at the base of Caribou Mountain for 2 years.  Some of the additional papers revealed that Jason ran a resort – Old Man Alaska Bed & Breakfast.  There was even a photo of Jason and his two daughters.

Nothing indicated how or why either Jason or Jamie had died so young.  Those buildings Lupe had seen this morning on the W side of the Dalton Highway while SPHP had been looking for a place to park the G6 must have been where Jason had lived.  It was probably the former site of Old Man Alaska Bed & Breakfast.  Absolutely nothing else was around here way out in the Alaskan wilderness.

SPHP signed Lupe into the registry, then put everything back in place.  Time to check out the views from Caribou Mountain.

Looking down from the knob where the true summit of Caribou Mountain is located on the much larger general summit area below. The striking pattern of patches of tundra scattered among a network of rock-filled ditches is evident. Photo looks S.
All the major high points Lupe came to along Caribou Mountain’s NE ridge are in view here. Photo looks NE.
Lupe in sunshine on Caribou Mountain. Photo looks NE with help from the telephoto lens.
The pattern made by the tundra and rocks on Caribou Mountain was so cool to look down upon! Photo looks SSW.

The sky had been totally overcast when Lupe arrived at the true summit of Caribou Mountain. Since then, holes had appeared in the clouds once or twice.  Lupe basked briefly in bright sunshine.  However, as time wore on, it was becoming clear the Carolina Dog was leading a charmed existence.  Rain showers could be seen in every direction.

The showers to the N and E were quite a long way off.  The ones to the W were closer, but weren’t headed this way.  The real threat was from the S.  A long line of showers was advancing toward Caribou Mountain, driven by a steady S breeze.

Lupe had arrived early enough in the day so she should have been able to spend a long time at the summit.  Sadly, it wasn’t going to work out that way.

Rain showers are seen off to the W.
Looking W with help from the telephoto lens.
Looking N with help from the telephoto lens.

Lupe and SPHP spent 45 minutes up on the rocky summit of Caribou Mountain.  Then, with rain showers approaching, it was time to get going.  Before departing glorious Caribou Mountain, Lupe returned to the highest rocks at the true summit.

Lupe on Caribou Mountain’s highest rocks. The survey benchmark (near her rear paw) and long NE ridge are both in view. Photo looks NE.
An American Dingo at the true summit of Caribou Mountain. Looking NE with help from the telephoto lens.
Another look with less help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks NE.
A better look at the NE ridge. Lupe has moved slightly. The Caribou survey benchmark is a few feet beyond her at Center. Photo looks NE.
Final look NE from the true summit.

Lupe remained briefly up at the summit while SPHP started down.

Lupe along the N edge of the knob at the top of Caribou Mountain.
Be there in a minute, SPHP. Keep going! I’m a much faster scrambler than you are.

The return trip was a race against deteriorating weather.  Loop followed the same general route back down the NE ridge.  For a long way, the return trip was a great deal of fun.  Lupe never saw the sun again, but the views were so awesome!  The strengthening S breeze and encroaching clouds created a wild, gloomy, menacing mood enhanced by the knowledge that Lupe and SPHP were alone in northern Alaska.

Looking back toward the summit of Caribou Mountain. Lupe is almost back down to the second big hill she’d come to on the way up. Photo looks SW.

On the way back, Lupe tagged the summits of both the big hills she had skirted on the way up.  Between them, a rain shower caught her.  SPHP had stopped to put on the rain poncho only minutes before.  The S wind drove the rain so hard the raindrops stung a little.  This first shower lasted only 10 minutes.  Lupe got wet, but SPHP hadn’t fared too badly.

Looper now between the first and second big hills she’d passed by on the way up. The first rain shower would catch up with her in only a few minutes. She still had miles to go to get to the G6. Photo looks NE.
The first big hill is the closest one on the L. Beyond it at far L is the little rock ridge. High Point 2355 is near Center. The cluster of rocks Loop came to first on the way up is the little dark knob to the L of High Point 2355. Photo looks NE.
On a scenic knob along the way to the first big hill. Photo looks NE.
Little tundra plants can be so incredibly colorful and beautiful!

Lupe was doing great!  She was making excellent progress.  Rain was all around, but except for that one 10 minute shower, the Carolina Dog was lucky.  She made it all the way back to the area where she had first reached the main NE ridgeline.  SPHP wasn’t eager to go back down the boggy lower slope Lupe had originally come up to get here, however.  It would be nice to avoid that jungle of bushes down near the bottom, too.

Lupe makes it back to the area where she’d originally reached Caribou Mountain’s main NE ridgeline. Photo looks SW back toward the summit.
The original route Loop had taken up to reach the main NE ridgeline is below on the R. SPHP wasn’t eager to repeat a long boggy trek down the lower slope and through the jungle of bushes waiting at the bottom. The Dalton Highway is finally back in sight here. Photo looks NNE.

Instead of taking the same route down that she had come up in the morning, Lupe stuck with the main NE ridge longer.  This time she passed only a little N of High Point 2355.  The Carolina Dog went to the far E end of Caribou Mountain’s NE ridge before turning N.

Turning N near the far E end of Caribou Mountain’s long NE ridge. The Dalton Highway crosses the Kanuti River in the distance on the R. Photo looks NNW.
Lupe needed only another half hour to get back to the Dalton Highway and the G6 from here, but her luck was about to run out. Photo looks E.

The G6 was only half an hour away when Lupe’s luck ran out.  A second rain shower finally caught her.  This time it was no mere 10 minute affair.  Rain poured down twice as long and twice as hard as the first time.

Lupe had avoided the boggy terrain and the jungle of bushes, but it hardly mattered.  Coming down off the ridge, she had to go through a forest with deadfall, meadows of high grass, and stands of tall bushes.  Everything was soaking wet.  By the time Loop and SPHP reached the service road along the buried Alaska oil pipeline, both were drenched.  May as well have gone swimming!  (7:30 PM)

No matter.  The G6 wasn’t far away now.  SPHP would make everything alright there.  The important thing was Lupe had made it to the top of Caribou Mountain today.

Lupe returning from Caribou Mountain, Alaska 8-16-17

Want more Lupe adventures?  Choose from Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska Adventure Index, Dingo Vacations Adventure Index or Master Adventure Index.  Or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures.