{"id":10406,"date":"2017-09-22T08:10:26","date_gmt":"2017-09-22T14:10:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=10406"},"modified":"2019-04-08T17:46:24","modified_gmt":"2019-04-08T23:46:24","slug":"crazy-peak-montana-on-the-verge-of-epic-with-mountaineer-jobe-wymore-7-22-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=10406","title":{"rendered":"Crazy Peak, Montana – On the Verge of EPIC with Mountaineer Jobe Wymore (7-22-17)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 15 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Wind River Range, Wyoming & Select Peaks in Montana<\/em><\/p>\n

Dawn.\u00a0 Lupe sat bright-eyed on SPHP’s lap listening to Morning Dew by the Grateful Dead.\u00a0 She gazed intently out the window of Jobe’s silver Jeep Rubicon.\u00a0 Jobe was expounding on Jerry Garcia’s musical talents as he drove.\u00a0 Lupe listened politely as Jobe<\/span><\/strong><\/a> & SPHP chatted.\u00a0 In truth, she was more interested in the possibility of seeing cows, deer, or squirrels along the 4WD road.<\/p>\n

The sun was above the horizon by the time Jobe parked his Rubicon at a 6,900 foot elevation saddle on Crazy Peak’s SE ridge.\u00a0 An old pickup truck was already parked nearby, but no one was around.\u00a0 Good.\u00a0 This was it!\u00a0 Lupe’s big chance to climb Crazy Peak<\/span><\/a> (11,209 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> with Jobe had arrived!\u00a0 Crazy Peak wasn’t just any mountain.\u00a0 With Crazy Peak done, Jobe would be on the verge of EPIC!<\/p>\n

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Sunrise from Crazy Peak’s SE Ridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Jobe leads the way as Lupe sets off for Crazy Peak. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This opportunity to climb Crazy Peak with Jobe had been set in motion a couple of months ago.\u00a0 While looking at the results of Jobe’s week long mid-May 2017 trip to the East Coast on Peakbagger.com, SPHP discovered Jobe was now very close to completing a huge peakbagging feat – one he had been working on for more than 20 years.\u00a0 Jobe was only 2 peaks away from completing the EPIC List for all 50 US states!<\/p>\n

Millions of people have enjoyed a hike to the top of the highest mountain in one or more US states.\u00a0 In fact, it’s not that hard to reach the highest point in quite a few states.\u00a0 However, only the truly dedicated ever seriously dream of climbing the highest mountain in all 50 states – in addition to the travel time and expense involved, that list contains some difficult peaks requiring equipment and technical climbing skills.\u00a0 Yet those 50 highest peaks are only part of what we’re talking about here.\u00a0 Jobe had already been to the top of the highest mountain in every state.\u00a0 The EPIC List goes way beyond that.<\/p>\n

Elevation<\/em><\/strong> is only one statistical measure of a mountain’s claim to grandeur.\u00a0 There are others.\u00a0 The EPIC list also considers Prominence<\/strong><\/em> and Isolation<\/strong><\/em>.\u00a0 Prominence is a measure of the minimum elevation one would have to lose from a mountain’s summit to travel to a higher peak by any route, no matter how long, difficult or impractical.\u00a0 Isolation measures how far away it is in a direct line to the closest higher mountain.<\/p>\n

In 19 US states, the highest mountain is also the most prominent and has the most isolation.\u00a0 The same mountain ranks 1st in all three categories.\u00a0 However, in the other 31 states, 2 or 3 different peaks can claim to be either the highest, most prominent, most isolated, or some combination thereof.\u00a0 Consequently, the EPIC List for the 50 US states includes not just 50, but 96 different peaks.<\/p>\n

Only Bob Packard<\/strong><\/span><\/a> among all Peakbagger.com account holders has climbed all 96 peaks on the EPIC List.\u00a0 Now Jobe was only 2 peaks away!\u00a0 What caught SPHP’s eye was where those remaining unclimbed peaks were.\u00a0 Both were in Montana, a state that borders South Dakota where Lupe lives.\u00a0 Mount Cleveland<\/span><\/a> (10,466 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> with 98.18 miles of isolation is the most isolated<\/strong> peak in Montana.\u00a0 Located in the far NW part of the state in Glacier National Park<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, anti-Dingo regulations prevent Lupe from ever doing anything there.<\/p>\n

The other summit Jobe was lacking was Crazy Peak<\/span><\/a> (11,209 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 With 5,709 ft. of prominence, Crazy Peak is the most prominent<\/strong> mountain in Montana.\u00a0 Located in S central Montana in the Gallatin National Forest, it wasn’t nearly as far away as Mount Cleveland.<\/p>\n

Crazy Peak has a spot on a lot of peakbagging lists, not just the EPIC list.\u00a0 Early in 2017 SPHP had considered including Crazy Peak among the mountains Lupe might want to climb this summer.\u00a0 A little research on Peakbagger.com had squelched that idea.\u00a0 Every trip report was on the same ascent route, and most mentioned Class 4 terrain on the way to the summit.\u00a0 SPHP didn’t know much about the rating system, but knew enough to realize that Lupe needed to stay far away from anything approaching Class 4.<\/p>\n

Now a new idea crept into SPHP’s noggin.\u00a0 Even if Lupe couldn’t climb Crazy Peak, wouldn’t it be fun to go there when Jobe with his superior skills climbed it?\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP could still go partway up the mountain, and congratulate Jobe on his success when he returned from the summit on his way back down.\u00a0 Lupe could still bask in her friend Jobe’s glory!<\/p>\n

Well, maybe.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP didn’t really know Jobe very well.\u00a0 In response to an email from Jobe, Lupe had scouted out conditions on Odakota Mountain<\/span><\/a> (7,200 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> in the Black Hills back in late March of 2016 prior to a trip he was planning to western Nebraska and possibly South Dakota.\u00a0 When Jobe subsequently arrived in the Black Hills on April 2nd, 2016, Lupe went with him to Odakota Mountain.<\/p>\n

Lupe and SPHP had even followed Jobe all the way to the Wildcat Hills of Nebraska<\/strong><\/span><\/a> for an adventure down there that same day.\u00a0 Jobe had treated Lupe very kindly the whole time.\u00a0 When Lupe’s paws got sore, Jobe carried her to safety past the painful cactus that grew in profusion all over those desolate Nebraska hills.\u00a0 Since then Jobe had occasionally stayed in touch via email.<\/p>\n

Jobe was a great guy, but perhaps he had other plans for Crazy Peak with more experienced and capable climbers, or maybe he’d rather go solo than bother with a Carolina Dog?\u00a0 Nothing ventured, nothing gained.\u00a0 Didn’t hurt to ask.\u00a0 On 5-23-17, SPHP sent Jobe an email.\u00a0 When was Jobe planning on taking on Crazy and Cleveland?\u00a0 Which would he tackle first?<\/p>\n

A response came within a couple hours.\u00a0 Jobe would likely take on Crazy Peak first.\u00a0 The unique permitting process for climbing Mount Cleveland in Glacier National Park might cause an attempt on that peak to be delayed longer than Jobe would like.<\/p>\n

On 5-25-17, SPHP sent another email.\u00a0 This one popped the big question.\u00a0 Lupe would be gone all of August, 2017, but if Jobe was planning on climbing Crazy Peak before then, would he mind if Loop and SPHP tagged along partway up?\u00a0 Loop and SPHP had no delusions of reaching the top, and promised not to hold Jobe back from getting there himself.<\/p>\n

Again came a quick response – an unexpected one.\u00a0 All Jobe said was “Here’s some forwarded pics of Victor Zhou’s solo ascent of Crazy’s East Ridge from last summer.”<\/em>\u00a0 Eleven photos were attached.\u00a0 SPHP got excited.\u00a0 Those photos showed a big long ridge that got progressively rockier approaching Crazy’s summit.\u00a0 The first part of the ridge was cake!\u00a0 Lupe could get way higher on Crazy Peak than SPHP had thought.\u00a0 Maybe she could even reach the summit!\u00a0 It was hard to tell from the last few photos just what dangers might lurk among all that rock?<\/p>\n

What was this, though, about an East Ridge route?\u00a0 All the trip reports on Peakbagger.com mentioned coming up the W ridge.\u00a0 Some mentioned going down the N ridge.\u00a0 None of the reports or GPS tracks showed an attempt from the E.\u00a0 Victor Zhou<\/span><\/strong><\/a> had climbed Crazy Peak on 7-20-16, but like most climbers, had not submitted a trip report or GPS track.\u00a0 There were two E ridges, too.\u00a0 One to the NE and one to the SE.\u00a0 Which one did Victor climb?\u00a0 After a look at the topo map, SPHP concluded Victor must have gone up the SE ridge.<\/p>\n

SPHP fired off another email to Jobe expressing these thoughts.\u00a0 Again Jobe responded quickly:<\/p>\n

The route Victor climbed is unconventional and I have no idea why others haven’t climbed it with more regularity in the past.\u00a0 It’s almost like everyone reads a particular trip report that mentions a specific route and that automatically becomes the only option?\u00a0 The “normal” route is Class 4 where Victor’s is no more than Class 3 tops.\u00a0 Might get a little sharp but not scary.\u00a0 It’s definitely not the NE Ridge he ascended but I can ask him the definitive route (start location) and get back to ya.\u00a0 He calls it the “East Ridge”.\u00a0 If you want to meet and take a crack at it somewhere around July 22nd, I’m all in.<\/em><\/p>\n

That’s all it took.\u00a0 Crazy Peak was a go!<\/p>\n

Now Lupe was really here!\u00a0 Her chance to climb Crazy Peak with Jobe via Victor Zhou’s route had arrived!\u00a0 Jobe led the way.\u00a0 SPHP trailed behind, with Lupe bouncing back and forth between.\u00a0 The first part of the trek was through forest.\u00a0 Jobe headed WNW staying toward the S edge of the ridge.\u00a0 Below was the deep canyon of the South Fork of Big Timber Creek.<\/p>\n

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An early glimpse to the SW down into the canyon of the South Fork of Big Timber Creek.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Progress through the forest was good.\u00a0 A steady, but unremarkable climb.\u00a0 After a little while, the forest began to give out.\u00a0 Lupe and Jobe reached a minor high point where it was possible to get a good look at the first stretch of open terrain ahead.\u00a0 Nothing fancy, or anything to be the least bit concerned about was in view, just a continuation of the steady climb minus trees.<\/p>\n

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The forest eventually gave out. From this minor high point Loopster has a good view of the open terrain ahead. Pretty easy to tell which way to go from here! Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Jobe assesses the situation. The ridge on the R is also part of Crazy Peak’s massive SE ridge. The high point in view where the terrain converges is likely HP 8448. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Two “minor” sub-ridges, both part of Crazy Peak’s massive SE ridge converge near HP 8448.\u00a0 (See the Peakbagger.com topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.)\u00a0 Lupe, Jobe and SPHP had been following the S one.\u00a0 This caused no issues on the way up, but would be important to remember on the way down.<\/p>\n

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Jobe now beyond HP 8448. The terrain is still easy. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A better look from higher up at the South Fork of Big Timber Creek canyon. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Jobe leads the charge up. Lupe looking good not far behind.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Some distance beyond HP 8448, Jobe led Lupe and SPHP around to the N side of the ridge.\u00a0 For a while, the terrain was a little easier here.\u00a0 The slope down into the canyon to the N wasn’t as steep.\u00a0 On the way to HP 9761, the summit of Crazy Peak came into view, still more than 2 miles to the WNW.<\/p>\n

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On the way to HP 9761, the summit of Crazy Peak came into view, still more than 2 miles to the WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Jobe leads the way again after a stop to let SPHP catch up.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Even before the ridge became really rocky, SPHP was having a hard time keeping up with Jobe.\u00a0 Lupe could easily enough, but the effects of the climbs of the past 2 days, and Lupe’s long adventures earlier in the Wind River Range were taking a toll on SPHP.\u00a0 Though Jobe repeatedly stopped and waited, or went slowly for him, SPHP was falling farther and farther behind.<\/p>\n

This came as no surprise.\u00a0 Jobe is in far superior condition.\u00a0 A mountaineer with tremendous experience and dedication to staying fit, he didn’t even look like he was trying.\u00a0 Effortlessly, Jobe glided over terrain that SPHP trudged or stumbled through.\u00a0 Jobe made it look so easy!\u00a0 Meanwhile SPHP was having to stop repeatedly to catch breath.<\/p>\n

The faithful American Dingo stuck mostly with SPHP as Jobe forged ahead.\u00a0 SPHP’s slower pace gave her plenty of time to sniff around and relax.\u00a0 She could even take short Dingo naps.<\/p>\n

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Lupe takes a little Dingo nap while SPHP pauses to catch breath. SPHP couldn’t go at the pace Jobe & Lupe were capable of, but so far, things were still looking good.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Despite falling behind, even SPHP was making reasonable progress.\u00a0 Things were still looking good for reaching the summit of Crazy Peak!\u00a0 The situation gradually changed, though, as the big ridge steadily narrowed and became rockier.<\/p>\n

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Getting closer, but as Lupe approached HP 9761, the ridge was already getting considerably narrower and rockier. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By the time Looper made it to HP 9761, the ridge had narrowed down a lot.\u00a0 Vegetation was nearly gone.\u00a0 The ridgeline was rocky and uneven.\u00a0 Both sides of the ridge were steep, and comprised of a lot of loose rock.\u00a0 Here, the S side of the ridge wasn’t as bad as the N.<\/p>\n

Jobe’s superior strength and stamina were now augmented by superior balance, too.\u00a0 No contest at all now.\u00a0 Jobe managed to simply walk the ridgeline in lots of places where SPHP felt compelled to down climb to get around rough spots.\u00a0 That burned a lot of extra time.<\/p>\n

The agreement all along had been that Jobe should not wait for SPHP.\u00a0 While conditions were favorable, he really needed to get to the top of Crazy Peak.\u00a0 Time to check this one off the EPIC List!\u00a0 It would be great if Lupe and SPHP could get to the top, too, but there wasn’t the same degree of urgency.\u00a0 Lupe could still try to summit a little later than Jobe.<\/p>\n

As the ridge became more difficult for SPHP, Jobe surged ahead.\u00a0 Lupe watched him go.\u00a0 Of course, her best bet for getting to the top of Crazy Peak would have been to just go with Jobe.\u00a0 Maybe she would have liked to, but she wouldn’t abandon SPHP.<\/p>\n

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Lupe watches as Jobe surges ahead. He’s now just a red spec on the ridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lupe’s best bet for reaching the summit of Crazy Peak would have been to go with Jobe, but she wouldn’t abandon SPHP. She would still get there, if SPHP could make it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking back. Here Lupe is past HP 9761 seen in the distance on the R. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Looper and SPHP continued on, following Jobe who was getting farther and farther away.\u00a0 Eventually Jobe paused at a high point and looked back, checking on Lupe’s progress.\u00a0 For a moment he stood there, looking small, far away, and already much higher.<\/p>\n

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Jobe pauses and looks back to check on Lupe & SPHP a final time before disappearing from view. He was already a lot higher and quite a long way off. The telephoto lens makes Jobe look much closer than he really was. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Jobe knew what he had to do.\u00a0 A moment later, he was gone.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP were alone.\u00a0 There was nothing else to do, but keep chugging along.<\/p>\n

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Lupe presses on, still optimistic, though Jobe has disappeared from view. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking back down the SE ridge. HP 9761 in view. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A long way to go yet. That high point ahead isn’t even the summit. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe was still making progress up Crazy Peak’s big SE ridge, but SPHP was frustrated with the pace.<\/p>\n

Oh, Looper, I’m sorry, but maybe you should have gone with Jobe!<\/em><\/p>\n

What!\u00a0 Why?<\/em><\/p>\n

I’m just too slow on this steep, loose stuff.\u00a0 Our pace isn’t exactly scintillating, as you may have noticed.<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, but we’re getting there.\u00a0 We’ll just keep going like we always do.<\/em><\/p>\n

True.\u00a0 So far so, good.\u00a0 Nothing’s stopped us yet, but I’m afraid we’ll run out of time.\u00a0 We can’t be coming back in the dark like we often do.\u00a0 Jobe has a 14 hour drive back home after this.\u00a0 He needs to hit the road so he can get back to work.\u00a0 Besides, this doesn’t seem to be getting any easier and who knows how bad the terrain is up ahead?\u00a0 Those last photos that Victor Zhou took looked questionable.\u00a0 We might not even be able to get there.<\/em><\/p>\n

So Jobe might not get to the top of Crazy Peak?\u00a0 That would be terrible!<\/em><\/p>\n

No, no.\u00a0 Don’t worry about that.\u00a0 Victor Zhou made it.\u00a0 Jobe will make it, too.\u00a0 But I’m not Victor or Jobe, not by a long shot.\u00a0 I’m not saying we won’t get there, but it seems like we’ve already been at this quite a while, and there’s no sign we’re anywhere near the top yet.<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, hurry it up then!<\/em><\/p>\n

I’m coming, sweet puppy.\u00a0 Lead on!<\/em><\/p>\n

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Lupe encourages SPHP up the next steep section. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The summit of Crazy Peak had been out of view now for a while.\u00a0 It was hard to tell how encouraged or discouraged one should be.\u00a0 Lupe led the way up a couple of steep sections that went pretty well.\u00a0 The rocks were larger and more stable here.\u00a0 SPHP managed to make the climbs fairly rapidly.\u00a0 Maybe there still was enough time for Lupe to reach the top of Crazy Peak?\u00a0 Hope rekindled.\u00a0 It sure looked like Lupe was getting high!<\/p>\n

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After a spurt up a couple of steep sections, hope was rekindled that Lupe would still have time to reach Crazy Peak’s summit. The views were already terrific! Photo looks SE back down the ridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Progress, but was it enough? Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When the summit of Crazy Peak came into view again, it was a sobering sight.\u00a0 Despite SPHP’s spurt, Lupe remained a long way from the top of the mountain.<\/p>\n

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When the summit of Crazy Peak (R) came back into view again, it was a sobering sight. Lupe was still a long way from the top. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ug<\/i>h!\u00a0 The summit’s still way over there, Looper.<\/em><\/p>\n

Don’t give up!\u00a0 We’re getting closer.<\/em><\/p>\n

Yah, keep going, but seems like Jobe’s been gone quite a while now.\u00a0 Sooner or later he’s going to reappear.\u00a0 Probably sooner I would think, and we aren’t going to be close enough to justify continuing on then.<\/em><\/p>\n

Jobe didn’t appear, though.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP carried on.\u00a0 Unfortunately, the ridge was messier again.\u00a0 SPHP kept down climbing to get around troublesome spots.\u00a0 Slow, slow, slow!\u00a0 Not good at all.<\/p>\n

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LOL, SPHP. We aren’t ever going to make it if you can’t stay up here!<\/em> Lupe has a chuckle at SPHP’s endless down climbing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Onward, bit by bit.\u00a0 Time ticked by.\u00a0 Though SPHP didn’t realize it then, the next big high point Lupe could see up ahead was 10,900+ feet.\u00a0 The ridge was ragged, but Lupe could get there!\u00a0 The summit would only be another 300 feet higher.<\/p>\n

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The high point on the L is 10,900+ feet, only 300 feet lower than Crazy Peak’s summit (seen beyond a little to the R). It looked like Lupe could at least get that far! Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pretty soon, though, a red dot appeared.\u00a0 A red dot headed this way.\u00a0 Jobe was returning!\u00a0 Had he made it to the summit?\u00a0 He’d been gone quite a long while – surely he’d made it?\u00a0 What news would he bring?<\/p>\n

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A red dot appeared on the ridge ahead. Jobe was returning! Had he made it to the summit?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There’s Jobe, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, I see him, too.<\/em><\/p>\n

Aren’t we going to go meet him?<\/em><\/p>\n

No, let’s wait here Looper.\u00a0 Jobe’s moving fast.\u00a0 He’ll be here soon enough.\u00a0 Let’s see what he has to say first.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Lupe and SPHP waited as Jobe worked his way back along the ridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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A look through the telephoto lens at Jobe with Crazy Peak’s summit in the background. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Jobe drew steadily nearer, SPHP took a few pictures of the views from this point Lupe had reached.\u00a0 It wasn’t completely clear yet if she would be going any farther.<\/p>\n

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Crazy Lake is seen below from the point Lupe reached on Crazy Peak’s SE ridge. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Big Timber Peak (10,795 ft.)<\/strong> (R) is connected to Crazy Peak by the sheer jagged ridge seen on the L. Probably the most challenging and technical route possible to Crazy Peak. No one goes that way. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking back the way Lupe had come. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Jobe arrived all smiles.\u00a0 Success!\u00a0 Yes, he’d made it to the top.\u00a0 Crazy Peak was finally done.\u00a0 Only Mount Cleveland was left to do on his 50 states EPIC List!\u00a0 He graciously accepted congratulations from Lupe and SPHP.<\/p>\n

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Jobe returns all smiles! Yes, he’d made it to the top of Crazy Peak. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The grand view from Crazy Peak’s summit. Photo by Jobe Wymore.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Jobe signed the Crazy Peak register. He had now completed the 50 US state most prominent peak list! Photo by Jobe Wymore.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lupe and Jobe celebrate Jobe’s success. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Surprisingly, Jobe had met 3 young women at the summit who came up from yet another route.\u00a0 They’d camped overnight down at Crazy Lake, and had made a long trek on a steep, loose scree slope directly up the mountain.\u00a0 They were concerned about the prospect of the impending rather scary trip back down to camp.\u00a0 Jobe had spent some time talking to them, which was part of why he had been gone as long as he had.<\/p>\n

So what was the rest of the route like?\u00a0 Jobe said there were a few spots that were kind of sketchy with some exposure.\u00a0 He’d gotten through just fine, though.\u00a0 He wasn’t sure what SPHP might think, or how Lupe would fare.\u00a0 A bit scary perhaps?\u00a0 Jobe nodded his head indicating Lupe and SPHP were free to go on and take a crack at it.\u00a0 Evidently he must have thought it was at least possible for Lupe to succeed.\u00a0 It was very kind of him to be willing to wait.<\/p>\n

First – two more key questions.\u00a0 Jobe’s smart phone would have the answers.\u00a0 What time was it, and what elevation had Lupe reached here?<\/p>\n

E<\/i>arly afternoon.\u00a0 Lupe is at 10,400 feet.<\/em><\/p>\n

The summit of Crazy Peak looked a long way off.\u00a0 (It was actually only a little over 0.5 mile away.)<\/em>\u00a0 Another 800 feet of elevation gain left, including some rough, sketchy territory with exposure ahead.\u00a0 Most importantly, it was now afternoon.\u00a0 Seven hours gone by already?\u00a0 At the pace SPHP was going it would take Lupe another two hours to reach the top of the mountain.\u00a0 By then it would be mid-afternoon.\u00a0 That meant part of the return trip would be in darkness.<\/p>\n

There had been plenty of time to think about things while Jobe was gone.\u00a0 The terrain hadn’t stopped Lupe yet, but as much as SPHP would have liked for Lupe to succeed at climbing Crazy Peak, SPHP hesitated only a moment.<\/p>\n

No, Jobe, we’ve timed out.\u00a0 Let’s head down.<\/em><\/p>\n

Right decision.\u00a0 Lupe was happy.\u00a0 Jobe was happy.\u00a0 It was a relief to be going back down.\u00a0 The day was a big success!\u00a0 Jobe had made it to the top of Crazy Peak.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP had shared in the joy, and kept their promise not to delay him – at least not by too much.\u00a0 Only Mount Cleveland to go!\u00a0 Jobe indicated he might take on Mount Cleveland sometime in early August, only 2 or 3 weeks away.<\/p>\n

Well before the sun went down, Lupe and SPHP were back in Jobe’s air-conditioned Jeep Rubicon, bouncing along comfortably.\u00a0 Morning Dew and Terrapin Station by the Grateful Dead were playing.\u00a0 Jobe resumed his enthusiastic dissertation on Jerry Garcia’s musical talents.\u00a0 A good time, a really good time.<\/p>\n

All too soon, Lupe was back at the G6, giving Jobe’s hand a final shake next to the Rubicon.<\/p>\n

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Pals Lupe and Jobe.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lupe extends final congratulations to Jobe on his great success at Crazy Peak.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Brief good-byes and well wishes, then onward!\u00a0 Jobe roared off in the Rubicon.\u00a0 Minutes later, Lupe and SPHP were in the G6 going down the same dusty road.\u00a0 Lupe resumed her usual watch for cows and horses to bark at.<\/p>\n

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After a fun day on Crazy Peak, Lupe resumes her watch for cows and horses to bark at.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP soon stopped the G6 for a last look back.<\/p>\n

Lupe’d had success climbing several nice peaks with Jobe on the previous two days.\u00a0 Nevertheless, Crazy Peak<\/span><\/a> (11,209 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> would always be the one that stood out from the others.\u00a0 There it was, that long tantalizing SE ridge, forever leading skyward to the joyful moment when Lupe had stood with mountaineer and friend Jobe Wymore on the verge of EPIC!<\/p>\n

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Crazy Peak from the ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lupe and Jobe Wymore on the verge of EPIC. Crazy Peak, Montana – July 22, 2017.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Thanks to Victor Zhou<\/strong><\/span><\/a> for sharing the route on the SE ridge that Jobe used to summit Crazy Peak, and gave Lupe some hope of doing the same.<\/em><\/p>\n

Epilogue<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Although Lupe and SPHP were confident Jobe would be successful climbing Mount Cleveland in early August, 2017, Lupe wouldn’t know for certain how Jobe fared until she returned from her Summer of 2017 Dingo Vacation in September.<\/p>\n

Lupe arrived home on 9-13-17, to find an email from Jobe waiting for her entitled “Mount Cleveland denial.\u00a0 Weep, weep.” \u00a0 <\/em>Jobe had arrived at the National Park visitor center only to be turned away due to forest fires that had started only the evening before.\u00a0 All backcountry permits via Goat Haunt had been cancelled.<\/p>\n

So at the time of this post’s publication, Jobe remains on the verge of EPIC, only short Mount Cleveland from completing the 50 States of the USA EPIC List.\u00a0 Of course, in due time Jobe will be back.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP wish him a speedy, successful and safe ascent! – 9-22-17<\/p>\n

August, 2018 Update<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Jobe eventually did complete the USA 50 States EPIC List more than a year after his adventure with Lupe on Crazy Mountain with a successful ascent of Mount Cleveland on 8-16-18.\u00a0 Congratulations, Jobe!<\/em><\/p>\n

Links:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Next Dingo Vacation<\/span><\/a> \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This Dingo Vacation<\/span><\/a><\/span> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 Prior Dingo Vacation<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Jobe Wymore<\/a> <\/span><\/strong>on Peakbagger.com<\/em><\/p>\n

EPIC List – States of the USA<\/strong><\/span><\/a> (showing all peaks and dates of Jobe’s ascents)<\/em><\/p>\n

EPIC List – States of the USA<\/strong><\/span><\/a>\u00a0 (showing front runners with the most ascents)<\/em><\/p>\n

To the Wildcat Hills of Nebraska with Mountaineer Jobe Wymore (4-2-16)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Mount Powell, Montana with Mountaineer Jobe Wymore (7-20-17)<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Naya Nuki Peak & Sacagawea Peak, Montana with Mountaineer Jobe Wymore (7-21-17)<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose\u00a0from\u00a0Lupe’s 2017 Wind River Range, Wyoming & Select Peaks in Montana Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a>,\u00a0Dingo Vacations Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a> or Master Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0new Lupe adventures<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Day 15 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Wind River Range, Wyoming & Select Peaks in Montana Dawn.\u00a0 Lupe sat bright-eyed on SPHP’s lap listening to Morning Dew by the Grateful Dead.\u00a0 She gazed intently out the window of Jobe’s silver Jeep Rubicon.\u00a0 Jobe was expounding on Jerry Garcia’s musical talents as he drove.\u00a0 … Continue reading Crazy Peak, Montana – On the Verge of EPIC with Mountaineer Jobe Wymore (7-22-17)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10398,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[833],"tags":[105,106,836,26,837,104,417,11],"class_list":["post-10406","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2017-wind-river-range-wyoming-select-peaks-in-montana","tag-american-dingo","tag-carolina-dog","tag-crazy-peak","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-jobe-wymore","tag-lupe","tag-montana","tag-peakbagging"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_5798.jpg?fit=1651%2C1238&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10406","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10406"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10406\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21719,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10406\/revisions\/21719"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/10398"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10406"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10406"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10406"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}