{"id":12923,"date":"2018-04-22T08:10:45","date_gmt":"2018-04-22T14:10:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=12923"},"modified":"2018-04-23T09:20:12","modified_gmt":"2018-04-23T15:20:12","slug":"mount-saint-george-stone-mountain-provincial-park-british-columbia-canada-8-5-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=12923","title":{"rendered":"Mount Saint George, Stone Mountain Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada (8-5-17)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 6 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska!<\/em><\/p>\n

(5:21 AM, Summit Lake at Summit Pass, Stone Mountain Provincial Park)<\/em>\u00a0 The second time SPHP woke up sunlight was just beginning to shine on Mount Saint George.\u00a0 The light quickly grew in intensity.\u00a0 In minutes, the mountain was aglow, radiantly beautiful all pink and yellow.\u00a0 SPHP knew it wouldn’t last long, but couldn’t muster the energy to grab the camera until it was too late.\u00a0 The moment had passed.<\/p>\n

Yesterday, up on Mount Saint Paul, Lupe and SPHP had been all excited about her success there, and eagerly looking forward to climbing Mount Saint George today.\u00a0 But by the time it was over, yesterday had been a nearly 13 hour expedition in rugged territory, and had taken a toll.\u00a0 SPHP felt it.\u00a0 Apparently Lupe did, too.\u00a0 She was awake, but all bleary-eyed.\u00a0 Clearly, “ambition” wasn’t her middle name this morning.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Huh? … Another mountain? … NOW!? You can’t be serious! For pity sake, just hit the snooze button, would ya, SPHP? I’ll think about it later.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For several minutes Lupe licked SPHP affectionately, as if to apologize for not wanting to dash off up the next mountain at the crack of dawn.\u00a0 It turned out she was hungry.\u00a0 She devoured a chicken treat, a milk bone, a generous bowl of Taste of the Wild, and lapped up a huge drink of water before rolling over to resume snoozing.<\/p>\n

Clouds moved in.\u00a0 Mount Saint George vanished.\u00a0 It started to rain.\u00a0 Shucks!\u00a0 If it didn’t show signs of clearing up before SPHP’s breakfast was over, it would make more sense to drive on instead of sitting around here.\u00a0 Lupe still had a long way to go to get to where she had more adventures planned in the Yukon and Alaska.\u00a0 Still, it would be a pity not to even get an attempt on Mount Saint George in.\u00a0 If only yesterday’s beautiful weather had held out one more day!<\/p>\n

Nothing one can do about that.\u00a0 It was what it was.\u00a0 A wind came up.\u00a0 It rained harder.\u00a0 SPHP piddled around to see what would happen.\u00a0 Breakfast, catch up the trip journal, get water at the campground, pitch out the trash, straighten out the G6, study a few maps.\u00a0 At 8:00 AM, the moment of truth arrived.<\/p>\n

The breeze had died down.\u00a0 The rain had stopped.\u00a0 The sky remained overcast, but not darkly.\u00a0 Mount Saint George still couldn’t be seen.\u00a0 Maybe it would clear up?\u00a0 Prospects seemed 50\/50.\u00a0 Lupe had been awake for a while now, looking no worse for yesterday’s wear.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog was ready for action again.\u00a0 Was it worth it, or was it smarter to drive on?\u00a0 Decisions, decisions.<\/p>\n

Kind of now or never, Loopster.\u00a0 What do you think?\u00a0 Who knows if we will ever be back here again?\u00a0 We’re a mighty long way from home already.<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, I’ll be fine either way, SPHP.\u00a0 Yesterday was great fun, so I’m happy enough with an easy day watching scenery from the G6 if you want to drive on.\u00a0 On the other paw, I’d be happy to climb Mount Saint George now, too, if you’d like.\u00a0 Even if you don’t get your precious views, I always enjoy sniffing around and a good romp.<\/em><\/p>\n

Hmm.\u00a0 Not that helpful, Looper.\u00a0 You’re as wishy-washy as I am.<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, tell me what the weather is going to do, and I’ll tell you what to do.<\/em><\/p>\n

I was hoping with your keen Dingo senses you knew.\u00a0 I can’t tell what’s going to happen.\u00a0 Maybe it’s best to delay making a final decision?\u00a0 We could start for Mount Saint George, but if the weather doesn’t clear up by the time we reach where the Flower Springs Lake trail leaves the road to the microwave tower, we could try going to Flower Springs Lake instead.\u00a0 If the weather gets all socked in and it starts to rain again, we can just beat a retreat and drive on.<\/em><\/p>\n

Fine with me, SPHP!\u00a0 So are we going then?<\/em><\/p>\n

Thus went the discussion, with no real resolution until 8:15 AM when at the edge of vision far to the W, the deciding factor appeared.\u00a0 A tiny speck of blue, blue sky.\u00a0 Hope blossomed.\u00a0 Maybe the weather really was going to clear?\u00a0 Maybe an hour from now, Lupe would be in brilliant sunshine?\u00a0 That blue speck was enough.\u00a0 Mount Saint George<\/span><\/a> (7,402 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was a go!<\/p>\n

Lupe and SPHP crossed a paw bridge at the Summit Lake stream outlet which was where a sign at the campground indicated the Flower Springs Lake trail began.\u00a0 Immediately across the bridge, the trail divided three ways.\u00a0 No sign here.\u00a0 Left, right or straight?<\/p>\n

Lupe tried going R along the shore of Summit Lake.\u00a0 She quickly came to places where the trail had collapsed into the lake.\u00a0 This couldn’t be right, could it?\u00a0 Perhaps this wasn’t even a real trail?\u00a0 (Note: Consulting maps later on, SPHP discovered this really was the Flower Springs Lake trail.)<\/em>\u00a0 Loop returned to the junction by the bridge.\u00a0 This time she tried the middle trail which went up a hillside into the forest.<\/p>\n

After Loop had gained some elevation, a small sign said she was on the Ridge trail.\u00a0 Appropriately enough, it climbed to the top of a ridge where it leveled out.\u00a0 The Ridge trail now passed through a forest dense with bushes.\u00a0 Everything was wet from the earlier rain.\u00a0 The bushes soon had Loopster sopping wet, too.\u00a0 She was one soggy doggie, but her spirits weren’t dampened in the least.<\/p>\n

The Ridge trail wasn’t terribly long.\u00a0 After crossing the ridge, it led down a forested embankment to meet up with a road.\u00a0 SPHP knew this road led to a microwave tower perched on a hill at the base of Mount Saint George.\u00a0 Somewhere along the way the road ought to provide Lupe a convenient access point to the mountain.\u00a0 The American Dingo followed the road SSW going uphill.<\/p>\n

A bit of a trek brought Lupe to a sign identifying the Flower Springs Lake trail where it crossed the road.\u00a0 This area was open terrain, the forest having recently been left behind.\u00a0 The sky was still overcast, but the speck of blue sky to the W had grown considerably.\u00a0 A W breeze held promise that the clouds might soon sail off to the E.\u00a0 With this encouragement, all thought of settling for the Flower Springs Lake trail was banished.\u00a0 On to Mount Saint George!<\/p>\n

Shortly after passing the Flower Springs Lake trail, the road made a big switchback climbing W before leveling out.\u00a0 Lupe was now headed straight W toward the microwave tower, which could be seen atop its hill, High Point 5469<\/span><\/strong> (1,667 m), more than a mile away.\u00a0 To the S, seemingly right at the base of Mount Saint George<\/span><\/a> (7,402 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, a green 200 foot high ridge paralleled the road.<\/p>\n

Lupe followed the road W halfway to the microwave tower before SPHP decided she might just as well begin her ascent of Mount Saint George.\u00a0 Lupe left the road and climbed S up onto the big green ridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking W at the microwave tower on High Point 5469<\/span><\/strong> (1,667 m). This tower sits close to the N base of Mount Saint George<\/strong>. Lupe left the road here, turning S (L) to climb a 200 foot high green ridge that parallels the road.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Up on the green ridge, Lupe and SPHP stopped briefly to rest.\u00a0 Looking back, part of Summit Lake where Lupe had started from was in view.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog had already gained many hundreds of feet of elevation.\u00a0 Beyond the lake Looper could see Summit Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,611 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Only yesterday, Lupe had stood on top of Summit Peak on her way to Mount Saint Paul<\/span><\/a> (6,985 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Up on the big green ridge looking back at where Lupe had come from. She’d started out at the far end of Summit Lake<\/strong> (R) which appeared to be many hundreds of feet below where she was now. Summit Peak<\/strong>, which she had climbed yesterday, is the more distant mountain at Center. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe continued SW across the green ridge, which was very wide, toward the base of Mount Saint George.\u00a0 At first, heading right on up the wide NE arm of the mountain looked like it would be a snap.\u00a0 As Lupe got closer, though, it became apparent this was an illusion.\u00a0 A deep valley draining to the SE was between the American Dingo and the mountain.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop crossing the big green ridge toward the base of Mount Saint George<\/strong>. It initially looked like Lupe ought to be able to head straight for the NE arm of the mountain (Center), but she soon discovered a deep intervening valley draining to the SE (L). Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dang it all, anyway!\u00a0 SPHP didn’t feel like descending into that deep, steep-sided drainage.\u00a0 A glance to the W revealed that the highest part of the drainage was way over near the microwave tower.\u00a0 Climbing onto this big green ridge had been a waste of time.\u00a0 Lupe should have just stuck with the road until she was at the base of the hill the tower sits on.\u00a0 It would have been faster and easier to turn S there.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A glance to the W revealed that the high point of the drainage Lupe needed to get across was way over by the microwave tower. It would have been easier to simply stick with the road instead of climbing up onto this big green ridge. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Live and learn.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP turned W traveling along the ridge toward the microwave tower.\u00a0 This pleasant level stroll was made even easier by an old jeep trail Loop found on the way.\u00a0 As Lupe started getting closer to the tower, she left the jeep trail angling SW to look for a good route down into the drainage.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
As Lupe started getting close to the microwave tower, she angled toward the S side of the ridge she was on looking for a way across the drainage. The bottom of the drainage is in view now on the R. Mount Saint George<\/strong> has 3 N arms or ridges. The NE arm Lupe would ultimately go up is on the L. The middle N arm that ends closer to the microwave tower is seen on the R. Look at those beautiful blue skies now! Oh, yeah! Things were looking good. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mount Saint George has three N arms or ridges.\u00a0 A large valley comes down between the middle and NE ridges that joins the drainage Lupe needed to get across only a little E of that drainage’s high point.\u00a0 As Lupe drew closer, she could see a sizable gash at the lower end of this valley.<\/p>\n

That gash looked like a good spot to begin Lupe’s ascent of Mount Saint George.\u00a0 Once opposite the gash, the bottom of the intervening drainage wasn’t all that far below the green ridge, and the slope leading down into it wasn’t so steep.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP descended into the drainage, and crossed over to the gash.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking across the drainage at the gash at the lower end of the valley between Mount Saint George’s middle N and NE ridges. The middle N ridge is on the R. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe on her way down into the drainage. It wasn’t far or steep to the bottom from here. The microwave tower is in view at the far end of the green ridge. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As expected, the terrain in the eroded gash was nearly all rock.\u00a0 A stream so small it could be conveniently crossed almost anywhere tumbled down a series of small waterfalls into pretty pools below.\u00a0 Lupe explored numerous nooks and crannies while SPHP trudged up the gash.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe wades the small stream in the gash. Part of the big green ridge she had just come from can be seen on the L. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking up the gash. Although it was often fairly steep, traveling up the gash wasn’t bad at all. It certainly wasn’t as hard as it might have been. Most of the rocks were fairly small. Usually there were easy ways to avoid troublesome spots. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After crossing the stream once, Lupe and SPHP stayed on the E (L) side of the gash the rest of the way up.\u00a0 The water in the creek was cold and clear.\u00a0 SPHP tried it.\u00a0 Delicious!\u00a0 The water SPHP had gotten from a pump back at the Summit Lake campground this morning tasted terrible.\u00a0 SPHP dumped it all to fill 3 water bottles with fresh creek water.<\/p>\n

At the upper end of the gash, Lupe discovered a lovely waterfall higher than any of the others.\u00a0 It plunged noisily over a tilted layer of rock.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe discovers the highest waterfall of all at the upper end of the gash. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The terrain above this waterfall at the upper end of the gash was not so heavily eroded. The stream raced swiftly and smoothly over intact layers of exposed bedrock. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Above the final waterfall, Lupe followed the creek quite a distance.\u00a0 Here it raced swiftly and smoothly over intact exposed layers of bedrock.\u00a0 Nearby slopes were mostly green with low vegetation.\u00a0 Gradually the creek bent around toward due S.<\/p>\n

Lupe eventually left the creek to turn E toward Mount Saint George’s huge NE ridge.\u00a0 Loop aimed for a large black rock prominent among whiter stones high up along the ridgeline.\u00a0 A considerably lower black rock provided an intermediate goal.<\/p>\n

Surprisingly, Looper found a narrow, but very definite trail that passed only a short distance below the lower black rock.\u00a0 The trail continued climbing ENE from here slanting up along the side of the ridge.\u00a0 Lupe reached the ridgeline somewhat below the upper black rock, which was now hidden from view.<\/p>\n

Lupe was now on the lower slopes of Mount Saint George’s NE ridge.\u00a0 Way down here, the ridge was rounded and extremely broad.\u00a0 Small rocks interspersed with low vegetation dominated the terrain.\u00a0 Up until a short time ago, a W breeze had prevailed, driving the cloud cover off to the E, and bringing blue sky and sunshine.<\/p>\n

The wind was shifting, however.\u00a0 A light E breeze was now forcing clouds back this way.\u00a0 Summit Peak was almost completely hidden from view, and Summit Lake was disappearing fast.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the time Lupe reached the lower slopes of Mount Saint George’s NE ridge<\/strong>, the breeze had shifted around to the E. Clouds that had earlier blown off to the E were on their way back. Only an outline of Summit Peak<\/strong> is now visible beyond Summit Lake<\/strong>, which is also rapidly disappearing from view. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Despite the approaching clouds, Lupe and SPHP turned S and began climbing the vast ridge.\u00a0 The breeze might easily shift again, and Lupe had already come a long way.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog wasn’t going to give up on Mount Saint George so easily!\u00a0 Clouds enveloped the ridge.\u00a0 Everything except the immediately surrounding terrain disappeared.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Although clouds moved in to envelop the NE ridge, Lupe continued up.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For a long way, Lupe and SPHP continued up the NE ridge in fog.\u00a0 At least initially, the climb wasn’t as steep as Lupe’s ascents of Summit Peak and Mount Saint Paul yesterday.\u00a0 Sometimes Looper even came to relatively level stretches.<\/p>\n

Slowly, though, the situation changed.\u00a0 The rocks increased in size.\u00a0 Vegetation became scarce.\u00a0 The terrain grew rougher and steeper.\u00a0 Lupe was climbing sharp boulder fields.\u00a0 In places, SPHP was scrambling instead of walking.\u00a0 The ridge was clearly narrowing, though it was still broad.<\/p>\n

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Lupe takes a break at a rare patch of greenery.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe climbed a series of 100+ foot high benches of jumbled, broken rock.\u00a0 SPHP had to use hand holds.\u00a0 At the top of each bench, the terrain ahead usually leveled out some and became easier to traverse, but another bench every bit as difficult as the last one always appeared ahead.<\/p>\n

Up and up went the Carolina Dog, over one obstacle after another.\u00a0 Time passed.\u00a0 It seemed like Lupe had been at this a long time.\u00a0 She must have gained a lot of elevation.\u00a0 Hard to tell how much, though.\u00a0 The fog might be distorting all sense of time and distance.<\/p>\n

The fog was sometimes dark and thick.\u00a0 If it had stayed that way long, it absolutely would have been time to give up on Mount Saint George and head down.\u00a0 It didn’t though.\u00a0 After a few minutes, it would lighten up again.\u00a0 The fog swept in waves over the ridge.\u00a0 And every now and then, if Lupe looked up, the gray was tinged with blue.\u00a0 Maybe Lupe would climb above the clouds?<\/p>\n

And then it happened.\u00a0 A genuine patch of clear blue sky appeared directly overhead.\u00a0 Lupe was in sunshine!\u00a0 It didn’t last.\u00a0 The fog reasserted itself.\u00a0 The hole closed.\u00a0 Lupe kept climbing.<\/p>\n

More and more often, there were hints that Lupe was going to get above the clouds, or that they might simply blow away.\u00a0 The fog grew lighter and darker with increasing frequency.\u00a0 Blue tinged fog was seen more often overhead.\u00a0 In the meantime, the terrain was getting easier.\u00a0 The rocks were much smaller again.\u00a0 Lupe seemed to be past the boulder fields and benches.\u00a0 SPHP could walk instead of scramble.\u00a0 Lung, heart and leg power were the limiting factors instead of broken boulder fields.<\/p>\n

Finally, finally, a bigger hole in the fog.\u00a0 Blue sky!\u00a0 Lupe could see farther up the ridge.\u00a0 The view was disheartening.\u00a0 SPHP had thought she would be closer to the top.\u00a0 The truth was, the American Dingo still had a long way to go.<\/p>\n

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Finally a genuine break in the clouds revealed much more of the ridge ahead. The sight was initially disheartening. Lupe still had a lot farther to go than SPHP had hoped. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Puppy ho!\u00a0 Onward!\u00a0 Yes, it was still a long climb, but so what?\u00a0 The terrain wasn’t bad, steep yes, but not terribly so.\u00a0 This was cake!\u00a0 Just a matter of one paw after another.\u00a0 Lupe could get to the top of this NE ridge.\u00a0 No obstacle was in sight that could stop her.<\/p>\n

Clouds and fog continued to sweep by sporadically, but less and less often.\u00a0 Lupe pushed on.\u00a0 She was going to reach the top of Mount Saint George’s NE ridge in brilliant sunshine!<\/p>\n

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The persevering puppy approaches the top of Mount Saint George’s NE ridge in brilliant sunshine! Not far now! Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Suddenly Lupe was there!\u00a0 She had reached the N end of Mount Saint George’s summit ridge where the middle N and NE ridges meet.\u00a0 This was the high point of both of those ridges.\u00a0 The views were incredible!<\/p>\n

Looking NW, Loop could see the huge McDonald Creek valley.\u00a0 To the W, beautiful silvery mountains stood in sunshine.\u00a0 Off to the E and S was an amazing sight.\u00a0 A soft ocean of purest white stretched beyond vision.\u00a0 The ocean wasn’t much lower than where Lupe stood now.<\/p>\n

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From the N end of Mount Saint George’s summit ridge<\/strong>, Lupe could see all the way down to the bottom of the McDonald Creek valley<\/strong> (L). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking W. Silvery mountains stand in sunshine beyond the McDonald Creek valley<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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To the E, an amazing sight greets Lupe. A soft, billowing ocean of white stretches beyond vision. The ocean isn’t much lower than where Lupe stands now on Mount Saint George<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking S at the sea of white being held back by the mountains.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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What an amazing view! Dark blue mountaintops jut up like islands from the pure white ocean of cloud. It was like being in an airplane! Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One view was of greater importance than any other.\u00a0 Lupe had made it to the N end of Mount Saint George’s summit ridge, but this was the lower end.\u00a0 Not an awful lot lower, no more than 56 meters (184 ft.), relative peanuts compared to how far she’d come, but certainly enough to make a difference.\u00a0 Lupe couldn’t claim a peakbagging success yet.\u00a0 Unfortunately, the topo map showed the true summit was somewhere way over near the far SW end of the long ridge.\u00a0 How hard would it be for Lupe to get there?<\/p>\n

The whole summit ridge was in view now.\u00a0 What Lupe saw was disconcerting.\u00a0 It appeared she could travel safely a long way, but near the SW end of the ridge where the summit was, the rock turned dark and it looked dicey.\u00a0 Really dicey.\u00a0 It looked like Looper might encounter drop offs or walls of rock she couldn’t climb or go around due to virtual cliffs next to the ridgeline.<\/p>\n

On a brighter note, Lupe could almost certainly reach a high point about halfway along the ridge that looked higher than anything else except the summit.\u00a0 According to the topo map, High Point 7320<\/span><\/strong> (2,231 m) was only 82 feet (25 m) lower than the true summit.\u00a0 Not really close enough to claim a peakbagging success, but still a major accomplishment on a day like today.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at the lower N end of Mount Saint George’s summit ridge<\/strong>. The view toward the true summit at the far end was disconcerting. It wasn’t at all clear that Lupe would be able to get there. She could probably make it to High Point 7320<\/span><\/strong> (2,231 m) (seen straight up from Lupe’s head), though. It was only 82 feet (25 m) lower than the true summit according to the topo map. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
True summit of Mount Saint George<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SW with lots of help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The true summit was too far away to tell for certain from here if Lupe would be able to climb it or not.\u00a0 After a short rest dazzled by the views at the N end of the summit ridge, Lupe and SPHP headed for High Point 7320<\/span><\/strong> (2,231 m).<\/p>\n

At first, all was well.\u00a0 The stroll along the ridgeline was easy.\u00a0 Lupe made great progress.\u00a0 She even found a delightful patch of snow.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop enjoying a little patch of snow she found.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The easy trek was soon over.\u00a0 Even at some of the lesser high points along the way, the terrain became too rough to stay right up on the ridge.\u00a0 Lupe had to down climb a bit to get around them, negotiating a way through collections of large boulders.\u00a0 Slow going, but at least possible.\u00a0 Loop always stayed toward the less steep NW (R) side of the ridge.<\/p>\n

The incredible scene to the S of dark mountaintops jutting up from an ocean of white reminded SPHP of photos in airline magazines.\u00a0 Lupe has never been in an airplane.\u00a0 She probably never will be.\u00a0 This might be as close to having that airliner kind of view as Lupe would ever get.<\/p>\n

Before Lupe even got to High Point 7320<\/span><\/strong> (2,231 m) something happened that they never show in airline magazines.\u00a0 All of a sudden, that bright white ocean of clouds flooded up in a swelling tide, completely swallowing Mount Saint George in a matter of seconds.\u00a0 Lupe was engulfed in fog again.<\/p>\n

Nope!\u00a0 Loopster wasn’t turning back.\u00a0 Foggy or not, the American Dingo had come too far, and the summit of Mount Saint George was too close.\u00a0 One way or another, she was going to find out if she could get to the top or not.\u00a0 Sadly, there wouldn’t be any views now, even if she made it.\u00a0 No matter.\u00a0 Reaching the summit in fog would still count as a legitimate peakbagging success.<\/p>\n

Maybe it was smart to hurry things along, though.\u00a0 SPHP didn’t like the notion of being way up here in fog for hours on end.\u00a0 This time it didn’t seem likely the clouds would dissipate.\u00a0 Onward!<\/p>\n

Lupe reached High Point 7320<\/span><\/strong> (2,231 m), but didn’t bother going all the way to the top.\u00a0 She passed only 20 or 30 feet below it, again staying to the R.\u00a0 Beyond High Point 7320<\/span><\/strong> was a relatively flat area of small brown stones leading to the next somewhat lower high point nearby.\u00a0 Beyond that next high point, Lupe was seldom right on the ridgeline.\u00a0 She stayed NW (R), skirting past one high spot after another.<\/p>\n

It was slow going, scrambling among large rocks and boulders on steep slopes the entire time.\u00a0 Such limited visibility made things more difficult.\u00a0 Lupe came to drop offs that couldn’t be seen soon enough to avoid having to retrace some hard won gains to down climb and go around them.\u00a0 After each down climb, Lupe tried to regain her lost elevation.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Coming to drop offs in the fog usually meant retracing some progress and down climbing to get around them before returning to the ridge a bit farther on.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe up on the ridgeline sometime after getting by High Point 7320<\/span><\/strong> (2,231 m). Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The fog also made it impossible to see how much progress Lupe was making.\u00a0 She had gone what seemed like a considerable distance beyond High Point 7320<\/span><\/strong>, when suddenly the fog thinned.\u00a0 For a brief moment it was possible to see farther along the ridge.\u00a0 Dark rocks.\u00a0 Higher ground ahead!\u00a0 Lupe was getting close to the summit!\u00a0 It wasn’t that far away!\u00a0 The fog closed in.\u00a0 The view vanished.<\/p>\n

There was a problem.\u00a0 Lupe was on a platform of light gray rock.\u00a0 15 feet ahead the platform ended abruptly at a drop of unseen proportions.\u00a0 The platform narrowed toward the end.\u00a0 It was like walking a plank.\u00a0 SPHP peered over both sides of the plank.\u00a0 To the L was a cliff.\u00a0 To the R talus fields of darker rock could be seen well below where Lupe was.\u00a0 They were steep, steeper than anything that had come before.<\/p>\n

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Lupe reaches the plank leading to a sudden drop off. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This would be the biggest down climb yet.\u00a0 Loopster would have to retrace more of her route to even start it.\u00a0 She would then be on that very steep talus slope.\u00a0 Yet if Lupe could get past this point, maybe she could quickly reach the summit?<\/p>\n

The view ahead had only appeared momentarily.\u00a0 Maybe what SPHP had seen wasn’t really the summit, just another of multiple high points on the way?\u00a0 Maybe she couldn’t even get to the top of what had been so briefly glimpsed?<\/p>\n

Standing there wondering in the enduring fog on the plank, the situation was starting to feel intimidating.\u00a0 Unnerving.\u00a0 Lupe seemed fine.\u00a0 So close, yet …<\/p>\n

A low rumble, muffled and distant.\u00a0 Thunder?\u00a0 Oh, brother.\u00a0 Not up here!<\/p>\n

It was the straw that broke the camel’s back.\u00a0 If a storm was coming this was no place to be.\u00a0 Close or not, whether Lupe could have made it or not, it was time to get out of here.\u00a0 Enough playing with fire.\u00a0 Time was up.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP turned back.\u00a0 Within moments, thunder again, more distinctly twice in quick succession.\u00a0 Closer, but still a way off.\u00a0 It was coming from the W or SW.\u00a0 Hurry, hurry!<\/p>\n

On the retreat, Lupe passed so close to the top of High Point 7320<\/span><\/strong> (2,231 m), that SPHP had her scramble briefly to its summit.\u00a0 This was it!\u00a0 As high as Lupe was ever going to get on Mount Saint George.\u00a0 A couple of photos, then time to flee.\u00a0 No views in the fog, anyway.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Near the top of High Point 7320<\/span><\/strong> (2,231 m). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at the top of High Point 7320<\/span><\/strong> (2,231 m). This is as high as Lupe ever made it on Mount Saint George<\/strong>. It was a valiant effort, but she’s still 82 feet below the elevation of the true summit. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the way back to the N end of the summit ridge, thunder was heard with increasing frequency.\u00a0 Still distant, but louder and louder.\u00a0 The storm was moving this way.<\/p>\n

Lupe and SPHP had only barely started down the NE ridge when Lupe became frightened.\u00a0 The thunder was getting unnervingly loud.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog begged SPHP to stop and hide.\u00a0 Not possible.\u00a0 No place to hide existed.\u00a0 Way too high and exposed on the mountain, down as fast as possible was the only answer.\u00a0 SPHP urged Lupe onward.<\/p>\n

No lightning was seen, but the thunder continued at regular intervals.\u00a0 SPHP tried to reassure Loopster as she worried over each fresh rumble.\u00a0 After a particularly loud roar, SPHP reached down to pet Lupe and got shocked twice.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog’s fur crackled with static electricity.\u00a0 Now Lupe wasn’t the only one truly alarmed.<\/p>\n

A shock happened once more, but not as strongly the second time.\u00a0 Down, down, down forever.\u00a0 It started to rain.\u00a0 Out came the rain poncho.\u00a0 Poor Loop got soaked.\u00a0 The thunder finally faded.\u00a0 The storm had moved off in another direction.\u00a0 Two thirds of the way down the endless NE ridge, the fog lifted.\u00a0 For a while it continued raining, but only lightly now.<\/p>\n

The waterfall down at the gash had tripled in flow!\u00a0 For a few minutes the sun came out, shining briefly on the Carolina Dog now busy sniffing and exploring like on any other day, the fearsome thunder only a memory.\u00a0 By the time Lupe was back on the microwave tower road, the fog had returned.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Safe and sound back on the microwave tower road. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Remember! This was all your idea, SPHP! …. No worries Loop! I think you did fabulous, all things considered!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Miss Curly Tail happy to be checking the forest for squirrels again.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What a crazy day!\u00a0 Memorable for sure.\u00a0 So close, but denied!<\/p>\n

Could Lupe have gotten to the summit of Mount Saint George<\/span><\/a> (7,402 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> under more favorable conditions, or had she been destined to failure no matter what from the very start on a mountain that was simply an impossible challenge?<\/p>\n

We’ll never know.\u00a0 Puppy ho!\u00a0 Onward!\u00a0 (7:20 PM)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looper on High Point 7320<\/span><\/strong>, as high as she ever made it on Mount Saint George<\/strong>, 8-5-17<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

Summit Peak & Mount Saint Paul, Stone Mountain Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada 8-4-17<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Stone Mountain Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose\u00a0from\u00a0Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska 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<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Day 6 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska! (5:21 AM, Summit Lake at Summit Pass, Stone Mountain Provincial Park)\u00a0 The second time SPHP woke up sunlight was just beginning to shine on Mount Saint George.\u00a0 The light quickly grew in intensity.\u00a0 In minutes, the mountain was aglow, radiantly beautiful all pink … Continue reading Mount Saint George, Stone Mountain Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada (8-5-17)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12912,"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":[835],"tags":[8,105,79,30,106,26,104,896,11,895],"class_list":["post-12923","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2017-yukon-alaska","tag-omniten","tag-american-dingo","tag-british-columbia","tag-canada","tag-carolina-dog","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-lupe","tag-mount-saint-george","tag-peakbagging","tag-stone-mountain-provincial-park"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/IMG_6087.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\/12923","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=12923"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12923\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15731,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12923\/revisions\/15731"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/12912"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12923"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12923"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12923"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}