Highpointers Foundation – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, WY Expedition No. 255: Missouri Buttes & A Visit With Dave Covill, Lead Director of the Highpointers Foundation (5-27-20)

5-25-20 – Lucky Dingo! You’ve been granted a reprieve.

I have? That’s good! A reprieve from what, SPHP?

All this endless boredom laying around. Apparently you’ve served your 6 month sentence. Adventure is heading your way! Remember Dave Covill and your Mighty Dingo Missile Launch?

How could I ever forget that? I was sore for a week!

You’re lucky you weren’t crippled for life! Anyway, Dave is coming up from Colorado in a couple of days to climb Devils Tower (5,112 ft.). Says here he might have time to meet with us.

Devils Tower! That’s straight up and down! No one can climb that!

Actually, it is possible with the right equipment and skills, Loop.

Or a helicopter!

Hah! Yeah, that’s the only way we’d ever get up there! Don’t worry, we aren’t going to try to keep up with Dave. Last year his first little starter peak was Aconcagua (22,841 ft.), the high point of South America!

5-27-20, 12:45 PM, Wyoming Hwy 24 – We’re almost there, SPHP! There’s Devils Tower and the Missouri Buttes (5,374 ft.), too. Can we stop and take a look from here?

Sure thing, Loopster!

*Great to be back in Wyoming! There’s **Devils Tower** (R), and **Missouri Buttes** (L).* Photo looks NNW.

At 1:02 PM, Lupe arrived at the Devils Tower Trading Post. Dave was supposed to meet her here once he finished his final training session with his guide.

*Dave won’t be free for another hour yet, so let’s have a look around!* Photo looks WNW.

*Mr. Covill’s been training on **Devils Tower** yesterday afternoon, and again today. Maybe he’s somewhere on the lower part right now?*

*I don’t see him, though. Maybe he’s already down, or on another side of the mountain?*

*The entrance to America’s first national monument is right next to the trading post and the **Devils Tower KOA campground**.*

*This sign at the KOA depicts an **Indian legend** about how Devils Tower came to be.*

Dave finally showed up a little before 2:30 PM. He was pleased with how quickly he had bonded with his guide, and the quality of training. Despite Dave’s decades of peakbagging experience, Devils Tower was a tough and unique challenge! One of his knees was scraped up and swollen, but he still intended to climb the mountain tomorrow.

**Dave Covill**, Lead Director of the Highpointers Foundation with Loop at the trading post.

Dave had a few hours to burn with Lupe, so what to do? Two options! First was a visit to Warren Peaks (6,650 ft.), the high point of the Bear Lodge mountains. Warren Peaks was easy. A USFS road went all the way to the fire lookout tower on top, so it was just a drive up. The other option was to climb Missouri Buttes, which would take a few hours.

After a very early start on the long drive up from Colorado yesterday morning followed by two rigorous training sessions on Devils Tower, and faced with the prospect of climbing it tomorrow, Warren Peaks sounded like the sensible choice to Dave. He jumped in the G6 with Lupe and SPHP.

On the way to Warren Peaks, SPHP naturally asked about Dave’s trip to Aconcagua, and also his return to Alaska in August, 2019 for a second attempt on Mount Isto (8,976 ft.), the high point of the Brooks Range. Both were gripping tales.

(Dave’s Aconcagua trip report, Greg Slayden’s Mount Isto trip report. Their mutual friend Edward Earl had drowned in the Jago River during a first trip to Mount Isto in June, 2015.)

Shortly before reaching Warren Peaks, SPHP parked on a hill expecting a view of Devils Tower, but only the Missouri Buttes were in sight.

Warren Peaks area. **Missouri Buttes** (L of Center) in the distance. Photo looks NW.

It was surprisingly cool up at Warren Peaks. A massive cloud hung over the region hiding the view of the Black Hills way over in South Dakota. Dave climbed the fire lookout tower as far as it was possible to go, but access to the platform around the ranger’s quarters was locked. Not to be outdone, even Lupe climbed the tower, which she doesn’t normally like to do.

Dave and Lupe near the **Warren Peaks lookout tower**.

The Black Hills of South Dakota were hidden by a cloud. Photo looks SE.

During the return to Devils Tower, SPHP took the paved roads, a longer route, so Dave could get a look at the town of Sundance.

Shhh! Quit talking, SPHP.

Hmm? What, Loop?

Be quiet! You’ve put Dave to sleep.

Oh! Umm, yeah. I often have that affect on people, don’t I, Looper? Guess I’ve got quite a soothing personality.

I suppose that’s one way of putting it.

Back at Devils Tower, Dave introduced Lupe and SPHP to a couple of climbing guides he’d met who happened to come along, then he had other business to attend to. The first of 3 more friends that were going to climb Devils Tower with him was due in this evening. So that was it for now, although Dave said he might be free again in a couple of days.

5-27-20, 4:50 PM, Devils Tower Trading Post –

Fun seeing Dave again, wasn’t it, SPHP?

Sure was, Loopster. Mighty nice of him to want to include us in his plans.

So what now? Are we just going home?

Oh, I don’t know. Not even 5:00 PM yet. We still have permission from the Nuckolls to climb Missouri Buttes. I think there’s still time. Want to do that?

Absolutely! Let’s go for it!

From Devils Tower, the entrance to the Nuckolls Ranch was a few miles N on Hwy 24, then another mile N and 4 miles W on Barlow Canyon Road.

At the turn off Barlow Canyon Road into the **Nuckolls Ranch**. Photo looks SW.

Of the 4 main Missouri Buttes, the 2 highest are on the privately owned Nuckolls Ranch.

As instructed while getting permission from Will Nuckolls to enter the ranch in order to visit the Missouri Buttes, SPHP drove S past 2 homes and a number of outbuildings, ultimately parking the G6 beyond them nearly 1.5 miles S of Barlow Canyon Road.

A pickup truck full of Nuckolls driven by family matriarch, Thea Nuckolls, appeared within minutes. Lupe was several hours later than SPHP had told them to expect her, but that wasn’t a problem. A friendly conversation, and they were on their way.

Lupe was too! She struck out for the Missouri Buttes following a dirt ranch road S.

*Come on! The NE Missouri Butte is only 1.5 miles away!*

The road curved slightly to the R as it went up a mostly forested valley. Lupe quickly came to an old water tank. The main road curved sharply R (NW) here, but the Carolina Dog continued SSW past the water tank a short distance into a more open part of the valley. Within a few hundred feet, the valley branched. Loop took the R (SW) branch instead of going straight ahead.

*We’re not far beyond the water tank now. The valley divides here. We’ll take the branch to the R.* Photo looks SSW.

After just a few minutes, Lupe turned S entering the forest and starting to climb. The remnant of a road curved L around to a clearing on the E side of hill. This looked like a good spot to leave the valley. A quick romp up the hill got Looper up to a narrow, gently rounded ridge.

Following the ridgeline SSW, the Carolina Dog continued to gain a little elevation. However, that didn’t last long. The ridge soon leveled out as it widened out. Lupe passed through an open forest. A few minutes got her beyond the pines. She was now on a broad plateau with a fenced field just ahead. Well beyond the field stood the NW Missouri Butte (5,374 ft.), the highest one of all.

*Thar she blows! That’s the **NW Missouri Butte**, our primary objective!* Photo looks SW.

Without entering the big field, Lupe followed the fence line L (SE). Along the way she went through another section of open woods. Almost at the end, she crossed a little ravine before ducking under a fence. Loopster wasn’t far at all from the NE Missouri Butte (5,212 ft.) now.

Approaching the **NE Missouri Butte**. Photo looks S.

Since it was getting late in the day, and climbing the higher NW butte was top priority, Lupe turned WSW heading for it instead.

Heading for the **NW butte** (R). Photo looks WSW.

Lupe soon reached a stock pond at the base of the NW Missouri Butte. Looking at the mountain from here, a large patch of orange lichens was visible near the top of the N face.

By the stock pond just N of the NW Missouri Butte. Photo looks W.

**NW Missouri Butte** from the pond. Photo looks S.

The American Dingo had been here once before. In November 2016, back when J.W. Nuckolls was still alive, he had told SPHP the best way up the mountain.

The gist of it is this: Climb the talus slope to the base of the rock wall on the N face just below the orange lichens. From there go L (E) following a steep ramp of vegetation higher. At the top of the ramp, a short trail wraps around to the E side where it goes 40 or 50 feet to a spot where it’s easy to clamber up onto the lower E end of the summit. A short walk through junipers and cacti goes past a small tower to the true summit near the W end.

**N face of the NW Butte**. Best route – get as close to the orange lichens (Center) as possible, then follow the vegetation steeply up to the L. Photo looks S with help from the telephoto lens.

The **NE Missouri Butte** (R) from above the pond. Photo looks E.

Part of the talus could be avoided by staying to the NW close to a fence line, so that’s what Lupe did. As it turned out, she could have avoided even more talus if she’d actually crossed the fence. Not really a big deal, though, either way. Soon the Carolina Dog was on the rocks.

*Here we go! We’ll head toward the L from here, climbing all the way.* Photo looks SSE.

Even though SPHP knew the best route, Lupe didn’t go quite far enough L (E) to come up below the orange lichens. She wound up in a wide NW chute that was so steep SPHP almost felt compelled to retreat to correct the error.

In a steep, rocky chute on the NW flank. That’s the summit just above! Photo looks S.

Certainly not the best route, but the super steep part at the uppermost end of the chute went only 10 or 15 feet higher. Without assistance, the Carolina Dog quickly scrambled to the top. She’d come up right at the true summit rock!

*Whew! That last bit was a little scary!* Lupe at the **true summit** of the **highest (NW) Missouri Butte**. Photo looks NE.

A Missouri Butte survey benchmark No. 2 was visible along the W edge 10 or 15 feet from the true summit.

The survey benchmark is the bright spot near the big rock at far L. Photo looks NW.

**Survey benchmark No. 2**. No attempt was made to find any others.

Loopster at the **true summit of Missouri Buttes**. Photo looks NW.

5-27-20, 6:54 PM, 57ºF – Such a gorgeous evening! The views from the NW Missouri Butte were tremendous. Off to the W, Lupe could see a huge expanse of flatlands dotted with ponds gleaming in the sunlight. To the N were pine-covered ridges, but nothing nearly as high as where the Carolina Dog was now.

Just as in 2016, the summit region harbored lots of cacti. Lupe was aware of it, and didn’t want to move around much. Between all the rocks and cacti, she had a hard time finding a comfortable spot, but did finally settle down for a while. A light breeze blew out of the W. Loop and SPHP shared several small chocolate coconut granola bars.

Taking it easy on **Missouri Buttes**. Photo looks NNW.

A pleasant half hour drifted by. Unfortunately, the sun wouldn’t be up an awful lot longer. Since Loopster still hoped to climb the NE Missouri Butte, it was time to get going. Lupe returned briefly to the summit rock.

*A shame Dave was too tired to join us here. I think he might have liked **Missouri Buttes**!* Final moments on the summit rock. Photo looks ENE.

The NW butte’s summit region was a fairly large area. Juniper bushes hid the views to the E and S from the true summit. Before departing, it would be fun to see the two lowest Missouri Buttes and Missouri Butte Lake, which were all toward the S. Due to all the cacti, SPHP carried Lupe more than 100 feet to the lower SW edge.

**Missouri Butte Lake**. Photo looks SW.

The 2 lowest Missouri Buttes. **SE Butte** (L) and **SW Butte** (R). Both are over 5,000 ft. Photo looks S.

Loop near the SW end of the summit region. Photo looks NNE back toward the top.

After a good look around from the SW end, SPHP subsequently had to cart the American Dingo back up to the summit.

Enjoying a few more moments at the top while SPHP takes a breather. Photo looks ENE.

No more dilly-dallying! SPHP lugged the Carolina Dog to the E end of the summit. This was even farther, a good 200 or 300 feet. The view to the SE was certainly worth it! Devils Tower (5,112 ft.) was in sight. Lupe got to see the top of Devils Tower before Dave Covill did, albeit from more than 3.5 miles away.

The NE Missouri Butte (5,212 ft.) was also in sight much closer at paw. Might still be time enough to climb it, if Loop hurried!

**NE Missouri Butte** (L) and **Devil’s Tower** (R). Photo looks ESE.

**Devils Tower**. The high point on the horizon is **Warren Peaks**. Photo looks SE.

Lupe could see the top of **Devils Tower** without having to scale that scary overgrown tree stump!

*Lovely, but we better get with it and hurry over to the **NE Missouri Butte**!* Photo looks E.

During the descent, Lupe took the slightly longer, but much safer route originally recommended by Mr. Nuckolls.

Loopster where the faint trail reaches the E end of the summit region. The trail extends toward the camera. Photo looks S.

The N face from the pass. Photo looks WSW.

Coming down the steep ramp. Photo looks ENE.

Descending the talus slope. Photo looks NE.

It took a while to get down. By the time Lupe was approaching the W end of the NE Missouri Butte, the sun was on the horizon.

Approaching the **NE Missouri Butte**. Photo looks E.

Looking back. The **NW Missouri Butte** at sunset. Photo looks W.

The climb up the W end of the NE Butte was fairly steep, but nothing like the NW Butte had been. Just a matter of how quickly SPHP could do it. Once the terrain began to level out, Lupe roamed E in open forest. The true summit was one of a couple of good-sized rocks near the far E end. Light was fading fast by the time the Carolina Dog got there.

SPHP was glad to see that the old thin cross that had been here during Lupe’s first ascent more than 3.5 years ago was still standing. Of course, the big attraction was the view of Devils Tower, which was 0.5 mile closer here than back at the NW Butte.

At the first of the two highest rocks. Photo looks SSE.

*We’re 0.5 mile closer to **Devils Tower** (L) here.* Photo looks SSE.

*Sweet view of **Devils Tower!** Hope you’ve enjoyed this tour of the Missouri Buttes!*

Sadly, 5 minutes at the top was it. Getting pretty dark now. Lupe left the summit of the NE Butte. The flashlight had to come out before she was even completely down off the mountain. As stars began twinkling in the evening sky, Loop and SPHP headed back to the G6. Between seeing Dave Covill and visiting the Missouri Buttes, it had been a memorable day! (10:06 PM, 44ºF)

5-31-20, 8:52 AM, 68ºF, Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park, SD – Turned out the fun Dave Covill had initiated wasn’t over! After a successful ascent of Devils Tower with 3 of his buddies, Dave came down to the Black Hills in South Dakota. As Lead Director of the Highpointers Foundation, he had business to attend to inspecting the installation of a beautiful bench along Trail No. 4 in the the Black Elk Wilderness. Dave kindly invited Lupe and SPHP to come along.

The plan was to go from Sylvan Lake up Trail No. 9, which went past an older, similar bench also provided by the Highpointers Foundation. From there Lupe would get to summit Black Elk Peak (7,242 ft.) before making a loop back along Trail No. 4.

Dave Covill and Lupe at the first bench along Trail No. 9.

**Black Elk Peak** (R of Center in the distance) from the viewpoint close to the first bench. Photo looks NE.

At the only creek crossing along Trail No. 9.

Everything went as planned. An hour later Lupe was approaching the old fire lookout tower on Black Elk Peak, the highest mountain in South Dakota. The Highpointers Foundation had helped pay for restoration work, including new windows in the top of the tower.

*Practically to the top now! Those are the **Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.)** (L) and **Little Devils Tower (6,960 ft.)** is the big knob seen just L of my head.* Photo looks SSW.

Approaching the old fire lookout tower on **Black Elk Peak**. Photo looks N.

On the rock wall around the lookout tower’s viewing deck. Photo looks W.

Dave maintained that the highest natural point on Black Elk Peak was just outside the N wall of the lookout tower. Since the Highpointers Foundation is dedicated to education, support, and conservation of the highest point in each of the 50 U.S. states, Lupe figured Dave ought to know. The Carolina Dog made the little scramble up to it.

Looper at South Dakota’s natural high point.

Black Elk Peak wasn’t crowded, but it was busy. A nice 25 minute stay, and it was time to let others enjoy a bit more serenity. Besides, Dave needed to get over to that new bench along Trail No. 4!

*As South Dakota’s high point, **Black Elk Peak** is one of the most popular hikes in the Black Hills! Guess we’re about to head out again now.* Photo looks SSE.

Heading down the metal stairway that used to freak Lupe out. After 9 ascents, she’s fine with it now. Photo looks SE.

Trail No. 4 passes between the Cathedral Spires (6840 ft.) and Little Devils Tower (6,960 ft.). At a point with a view of Black Elk Peak a mile to the N, Lupe came to the beautiful new bench donated by the Maura and Karen Raffensperger families and the Highpointers Foundation in memory of Grace Underwood Raffensperger. Many years ago, Grace had homesteaded in the Black Hills.

Lupe tests out the lovely new **Grace Raffensperger bench** along Trail No. 4.

*The **Cathedral Spires** are this close to the Raffensperger bench!*

5-31-20, 1:12 PM, 80ºF, Sylvan Lake – Back at Sylvan Lake, it was time for good-byes. Dave had to hit the road home to Colorado, and was soon on his way.

Last day of May already! Thanks to Dave’s visit, Lupe had finally gotten her 2020 mountain adventures off to a good, but much delayed start. With June just hours away, the Carolina Dog once again had high hopes for a spectacular Summer of 2020!

With **Dave Covill** at the **Raffensperger bench** along Trail No. 4, **Black Elk Wilderness**, South Dakota 5-31-20

**Dave Covill** (L) on **Devils Tower** 5-29-20 with friends **Justin Schaffer** (L), **Stephen Henry** (R) in back, and **Sheryl Lampert** in front. Guide **Lansdon Alcorn** (far R). Missouri Buttes in the distance.

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Adventure

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 181 – Missouri Buttes, WY (11-6-16)

Highpointers Foundation

Nuckolls Ranch on Facebook

Devils Tower National Monument

The Legend of Devils Tower

Climb Devils Tower! – Devils Tower Lodge

Want more Lupe adventures? Check out Lupe’s Black Hills, SD & WY Expeditions Adventure Index, Master Adventure Index, or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures!

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 233 – Meeting Dave Covill, Lead Director of the Highpointers Foundation & the Mighty Dingo Missile Launch (6-21-18)

Lupe’s June, 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn & Pryor Mountains in Wyoming & Montana had been cut short due to the fiasco at Big Pryor Mountain. Perhaps the fiasco was actually fortuitous? Shortly after the American Dingo arrived back home on the evening of 6-18-18, SPHP made a discovery.

Loopster, you’ve got mail!

I do?! Who from? What does it say?

It’s from Dave Covill. He’s coming to the Black Hills! Wants to know if you are around and have time available to spend with him?

You mean Dave Covill, the prolific peakbagger and Lead Director of the Highpointers Foundation? He’s coming here?!

Yes, that’s the one! Remember he sent you those Zuke’s Shiny Coat treats after Christmas and New Year’s? And yes, he says he’s going to be here next week!

Oh, those Zuke’s Shiny Coat treats were scrumptious! Do you think he’ll bring more? A Dingo’s coat can never be too shiny, you know.

Lupe in January 2018 with all the loot Dave Covill sent her back then: a Highpointers Foundation magnet & sticker, plus those scrumptious Zuke’s Shiny Coat treats.

It’s not Christmas now, silly Dingo! So probably not, but it says here Dave would like to visit a couple of 7,000 foot Black Hills peaks he hasn’t been to before. You can go with him!

Oh, an expedition with Dave Covill, that will be fun! Tell him I want to go!

But, of course, sweet Dingo! Right away …. oh my gosh, Dave sent this email on the 15th. It says he will be here on Tuesday. That’s tomorrow!

With trepidation due to the late hour, fearing to awaken Mr. Covill from his pre-trip slumber, SPHP tried the phone number provided in Dave’s email. No answer. SPHP left a message, then also emailed a response.

Lupe didn’t even really know Mr. Covill. She had never met him before. Neither had SPHP. But Dave had very kindly sent Lupe those Zuke’s Shiny Coat treats in January. For the past 2 years he had been saying he thought he might get up to the Black Hills on Highpointers Foundation business in the spring. It hadn’t happened in 2017, and it was already the 2nd half of June, 2018. Lupe hadn’t heard a thing from Mr. Covill since receiving those Zuke’s Shiny Coat treats in January. Weeks ago SPHP had just assumed Covill’s trip hadn’t worked out again this year. Not true! Suddenly, unexpectedly, there was Dave’s email in Lupe’s in-box spelling it all out in black and white.

The Highpointers Foundation, is devoted to supporting both public and private efforts to maintain the integrity and safe access to all 50 US state high points. As lead director, Mr. Covill is a busy guy. The trip he was making up to the Dakotas from his home in Colorado was going to be a 3 day whirlwind tour.

Not only was Mr. Covill going to drive up and back in those 3 days, but he needed to meet with a stonemason who had been tasked with creating a bench funded by donations to the Highpointers Foundation. The bench will eventually be installed along Little Devils Tower trail No. 4 in the Black Elk Wilderness on the way to Black Elk Peak (7,242 ft.), the highest mountain in South Dakota.

Taking a break on 9-26-17 on a lovely bench provided by the Highpointers Foundation. This bench is along Trail No. 9 at the first good viewpoint toward Black Elk Peak on the way up from Sylvan Lake. Dave Covill was coming to the Black Hills in June, 2018 in part to meet with the stonemason tasked with creating a 2nd bench funded by donations to the Highpointers Foundation to be installed along Little Devils Tower trail No. 4, another popular route to Black Elk Peak (formerly Harney Peak).

Furthermore, Dave was actually going to go way beyond the Black Hills all the way up to White Butte, the highest point in North Dakota, to meet with the rancher owning the land. With the rancher’s permission, Mr. Covill was going to install an Iron Ranger fee collection device provided by the Highpointers Foundation, plus several signs to communicate with visitors. The North Dakota excursion alone would take one whole day.

Would Mr. Covill get the messages SPHP left in time to reserve part of his journey for an outing with Lupe? One thing for certain, if it hadn’t been for that fiasco at Big Pryor Mountain, Dave would have come and gone before Lupe would ever have known about it.

Bright and early the next morning, Lupe had another email from Mr. Covill. He had gotten her messages and was just getting in his car. He was going to be staying in Custer, SD, and expected to arrive around 3:00 PM. Mr. Covill would call later. Perfect!

No call. At nearly 11:00 PM, another email. After arriving in the Black Hills, Dave had gotten tied up meeting with park rangers at the proposed Highpointers Foundation bench site. He had just returned to his motel in Custer after a long dinner meeting with a former superintendent of Theodore Roosevelt National Park in Hill City. Tomorrow was the big excursion to North Dakota to meet with the rancher at White Butte. The former park superintendent was going with him.

That wasn’t all. Thursday morning Dave was having breakfast with the bench stonemason. Early that evening he needed to be back in Colorado for another event. In short, he had only a few hours on Thursday between breakfast and when he would have to depart for Colorado around noon. That might be enough for quick visits to Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) and Crows Nest Peak (7,048 ft.), the only 7,000+ foot Black Hills peaks he had never been to before. Did Lupe want to come?

Yes, yes! Of course!

Messages back and forth on Wednesday settled it. Thursday morning, Lupe arrived at the designated rendezvous spot near Deadwood, SD at 9:32 AM. Dave was already there. Time was of the essence. Introductions were friendly, quick, and to the point. And what a guy that Dave was! He instantly produced a new bag of treats – Zuke’s Pure NZ Jerky Steaks, a wonderful gift for the lucky Carolina Dog. It was Christmas in June, after all!

Imagine poor Dave’s chagrin when after opening the bag and generously offering Loopster a treat then and there, she turned her nose up at it! Ungrateful, spoiled rotten American Dingo! What came next was even more unexpected.

Though Lupe wasn’t immediately interested in the superb treats Dave had brought her, she did have her eye on something else Mr. Covill had with him. Something even bigger and better than Zuke’s Pure NZ Jerky Steaks. To Dave’s astonishment and SPHP’s embarrassment, Lupe suddenly leapt uninvited up into Dave’s beautiful Toyota 4Runner!

Oh, yeah! Without the least hesitation, the presumptuous Carolina Dog was ready to ditch SPHP and the lowly G6 to go exploring the Black Hills in style hobnobbing with Dave Covill in the magnificent Toyota 4Runner. Carolina Dogs like luxury and prestige, and this was it! This was going to be a Black Hills expedition like no other!

That was a bit much for Dave. The 4Runner was brand new! He had just bought it! Covill certainly wasn’t ready to let it go to the Dingoes quite yet. Lupe had to be chased out of there. It was a bit of a comedown for Looper, but she got over it quickly. Soon she was back in her usual spot in the G6 next to SPHP leading the way to Terry Peak. Covill followed in that shiny, coveted 4Runner.

By Lupe’s standards, this wasn’t even a true Black Hills expedition. No long day of sniffing, roaming, and exploring the hills. Only a few hours at most, nearly all of it spent riding in the G6. Dave just needed to quickly tag the high points. He could spare a few brief minutes to look around, but then it would be time to move on again.

Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) was essentially a drive up. A short stroll from the parking area, and Dave and Lupe were poising for photos next to the old lookout tower.

**Dave Covill**, lead director of the **Highpointers Foundation**, and Lupe arrive at the lookout “tower” on **Terry Peak**.

New peakbagging buddies **Dave Covill & Lupe** on **Terry Peak**, their first joint summit on the first day of summer in 2018.

Dave and Lupe did make it up onto the observation deck for a photo op with a view.

Lupe congratulates Dave on reaching the top of Terry Peak.

After visiting Terry Peak, only one mountain remained on the list of 7,000+ foot Black Hills peaks Dave hadn’t been to yet. Crows Nest Peak (7,048 ft.) is in the remote west central part of the Black Hills a mere 5 miles from the Wyoming border. Once again, Dave followed in his 4Runner as Lupe & SPHP led the way along scenic back roads in the G6.

The roads were sloppy with mud in some places, but all was going well when Lupe spotted cattle in a field ahead. The cows provoked the usual excited Dingo barkfest as Looper bounded frantically around inside the G6. Nothing new there, but suddenly it was quiet. Outside on the left, SPHP barely glimpsed a flash of brown tumbling uncontrollably in the field next to the road. Lupe!

Fear and horror seized SPHP. During Lupe’s frenzied leaping about she had accidentally stepped on the control for the rear window, opening it completely. A spare tire on the back seat not yet returned to the trunk following the Big Pryor Mountain fiasco had served as a platform for Lupe to hurtle herself out the window in a mighty Dingo missile launch with no thought other than to chase after those cows.

The G6 was going something like 25 or 30 mph at the time. Of course, Loop lost all control and got rolled the moment she hit the ground. She might be seriously injured or even dead! Stopping the G6, SPHP was immensely relieved to see Lupe trot over like nothing had happened. She looked a bit dazed and surprised by the results of her tremendous flying leap maybe, but otherwise appeared fine.

Of course, following along behind Dave had seen the whole spectacular mighty Dingo missile launch. He was alarmed, too. Had Lupe ever done this before? No, not really. Looper had leapt out the window of the G6 a couple of other times years ago, but never while the G6 was moving. SPHP had never really fully trusted her not to, though. Ordinarily SPHP didn’t allow the windows open far enough so she could leap out. However, SPHP hadn’t noticed the rear window opening while the crazed Carolina Dog was creating such a ruckus.

Was she really fine? Lupe didn’t look injured, yet it seemed impossible she had escaped such a stunt completely unscathed. There she was, though, standing and smiling as if totally unfazed by it all – one apparently mighty lucky Dingo! After a couple of minutes, it was decided to continue on to Crows Nest Peak, which wasn’t much farther.

Crows Nest Peak was more of a hike from the main road than the quick stroll Terry Peak had been. Not too far, though – not even half an hour to the dramatically, but poorly named summit. Dave and SPHP chatted amiably, while Lupe amazingly sniffed and explored as always.

Dave and the recently launched Dingo Missile setting off for Crows Nest Peak.

Reaching the top of Crows Nest Peak was a cinch. Minor elevation gain along a gentle rise was all that was involved. The summit was simply a big forested flat area offering no views of anything except surrounding trees. Some “crows nest”! No truth in advertising here.

As part of the high remote limestone plateau country of the western Black Hills, Lupe and SPHP love Crows Nest Peak (7048 ft.) despite the misleading name. SPHP did feel sort of bad that Crows Nest Peak wasn’t a more memorable spot for Dave, since it was the last one he’d needed to complete the entire list of 7,000+ foot Black Hills peaks. Oh, well. There wasn’t anything in the Black Hills capable of impressing a mountaineer from Colorado anyway.

Dave and Lupe by the murky little pond, a glorified mud puddle really, a short distance from the barely detectable “true” summit of Crows Nest Peak.

Crows Nest Peak is so flat that if it weren’t for a survey stake and a benchmark present in a small clearing, it wouldn’t have been possible to identify any particular spot as the “true summit”. If the surveyor thought this was it, that was good enough for all present.

Lupe reaches the summit of **Crows Nest Peak**, a favorite high point in the Black Hills despite its misleading name. This was Lupe’s 5th ascent.

*Yes, Dave! This is it! The top of lovely **Crows Nest Peak** complete with survey stake and benchmark.*

If Mr. Covill was disappointed by his last 7,000+ ft. Black Hills “peak”, he was kind enough not to show it. Dave seemed satisfied as he accepted congratulations from Lupe and SPHP. At least the pleasant easy hike fit into what his schedule allowed. If Crows Nest Peak had been any sort of long or difficult climb, no way would he have had time to complete it with Lupe on this fine first day of summer 2018.

**Dave Covill and Lupe** share a happy moment together at the top of **Crows Nest Peak**. Lupe felt privileged to be here to see Dave complete the Black Hills 7,000+ footer list.

On the way back to the G6, SPHP made a rather bold request. Would Mr. Covill feel comfortable relating the story of another prolific peakbagger and mountaineer whose detailed trip reports Lupe has often followed to success? Dave was a friend of Edward Earl, who had perished in 2015 while attempting to cross the Jago River after two unsuccessful attempts to climb Mount Isto (8,976 ft.), the highest point of the Brooks Range in northern Alaska.

No doubt it was hard for Dave to do so. Not only was Mr. Covill a friend of Edward Earl, but he had been there in the party with Edward on that tragic day. Despite heroic efforts to rescue and revive Edward to save his life, all had been futile. Dave’s was a terribly sad, but fascinating firsthand account.

By the time it was over, everyone was back at the vehicles. Dave needed to get on the road to Colorado. SPHP knew a quicker route than the one he intended to take back to the highway. Upon reaching the highway near Four Corners, WY, it was time for Lupe and SPHP to bid farewell to Mr. Covill. Thank yous and well wishes were exchanged, and the Toyota 4Runner disappeared down the road taking Dave S on his separate way.

So, Lupe had finally gotten to meet Dave Covill! The day was a success! Or was it? Almost immediately after Dave departed, the licking began. As SPHP drove homeward, Lupe licked and licked her front paws and legs. There was no doubt what that meant. Now that the adrenaline of fun times in the hills with Dave was receding, Lupe was in pain. SPHP began to worry again.

Upon reaching home, the American Dingo was so stiff she could barely move. Her left front elbow and shoulder seemed the worst. A couple of small abrasions could be seen near her elbow, but no other outward sign of injury.

That didn’t mean anything, though. Car accident victims can seem fine at first, too, only to end up crippled for life by whiplash injuries. Was Lupe going to wind up like that? Unable to ever do anything active ever again? Were her mountain exploits so suddenly and finally over, ruined forever by one fateful Dingo Missile Launch on this beautiful first day of summer? Did a life of never ending pain await her? It was a terrible, terrifying thought, but a real possibility.

Lupe looked profoundly sad. She didn’t move at all except for the endless, useless licking. SPHP felt powerless to help her. The only thing that visibly cheered Lupe that evening was when SPHP gave her some of the Zuke’s Pure NZ Jerky Steaks that Dave Covill had brought for her. She accepted them eagerly now.

The next day was no better. Lupe could barely walk. She didn’t even want to try. Lick, lick, lick. On and on, yet it couldn’t go on and on like this. It was too awful. Early the following morning, SPHP took Lupe to the puppy doctor.

During a careful, gentle examination, Lupe winced a couple of times. Even so, the news was good. No broken bones or significant internal injuries. The puppy doctor prescribed two different pain killers and a muscle relaxant. Just keep that Carolina Dog quiet and don’t let her run around aggravating whatever injuries she does have. The puppy doctor expected Lupe to be fine in a week or so. That was a huge relief!

Lupe hates all medicines. At first SPHP hid pills in chunks of cheese. When Looper caught on to that trick, SPHP resorted to ice cream. Zuke’s Pure NZ Jerky Steaks became Lupe’s favorite part of the treatment regime. She got them as rewards for taking her medicine whether she wanted to or not.

For a couple more days, little improvement was seen. Lupe licked her front left leg so much she licked a wound into it. SPHP applied antibiotic ointment and wrapped the wound daily. Efforts to dissuade the Carolina Dog from licking that leg were unsuccessful. She knew she wasn’t supposed to, but she couldn’t help herself. Lupe licked whenever SPHP wasn’t looking.

Then suddenly Lupe was better! The happy day arrived when she not only walked, but wanted to run. Keeping her quiet and resting became the problem, a delightful problem to have! Near the end of the week, when Dave inquired again on how Loop was faring, SPHP could report that his newest peakbagging buddy was practically her old self, apparently on the way to a full recovery.

All’s well that ends well, as they say. Who knows, maybe Lupe will have a chance at another adventure with Dave Covill someday? Maybe she will get to climb a more challenging mountain with him somewhere? Fortunately, despite the memorable, but ill-advised mighty Dingo Missile launch she can still do it.