{"id":13157,"date":"2018-05-08T08:10:37","date_gmt":"2018-05-08T14:10:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=13157"},"modified":"2018-08-01T22:16:27","modified_gmt":"2018-08-02T04:16:27","slug":"ab-mountain-lupe-joins-the-arctic-sisterhood-skagway-alaska-8-7-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=13157","title":{"rendered":"AB Mountain – Lupe Joins the Arctic Sisterhood! Skagway, Alaska (8-7-17)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 8 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska!<\/em><\/p>\n

Loopster was right!\u00a0 When Monday morning arrived, Skagway bore no resemblance to the virtual ghost town it had been at dusk on Sunday night.\u00a0 It was still early.\u00a0 Skagway wasn’t terribly busy yet, but you could just feel<\/em> that the whole town would soon be teeming with activity.\u00a0 Before that happened, Lupe and SPHP took a walk down to the Skagway Sea Terminal for a look around.<\/p>\n

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Loop at at small park on the way to the Skagway Sea Terminal.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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This old engine used take trains from Skagway over White Pass to Carcross and Whitehorse in the Yukon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Skagway is located on the Taiya Inlet of the Lynn Canal, an arm of the North Pacific Ocean. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Three big cruise ships were in port, plus a yacht named Playpen and a number of smaller boats tucked away in a separate little cove.<\/p>\n

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Lupe at the Taiya Inlet. Cruise ship Explorer of the Seas is on the L. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Radiance of the Seas, one of three large cruise ships in port. The almost identical Explorer of the Seas is docked right behind it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The yacht Playpen and the 3rd big cruise ship.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lots of smaller boats were tucked safely away in this separate cove. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Seeing the ocean and the beautiful mountains along the Taiya Inlet was fun.\u00a0 However, Lupe had already figured out that just like yesterday’s bush pilot flight-seeing tour to Virginia Falls leaving from Muncho Lake, SPHP would announce that taking a cruise on one of these luxurious cruise ships wasn’t in the budget, either.<\/p>\n

That was OK.\u00a0 American Dingoes are flexible.\u00a0 They’re open to all sorts of ideas.\u00a0 Lupe had seen another less expensive entertainment possibility on the walk through town.\u00a0 Maybe SPHP could be talked into this one?<\/p>\n

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SPHP, look at how good I’m being, and how pretty I am next to all these beautiful flowers! You’ll take me out to the Red Onion, won’t you, please? It’s right across the street, just follow me!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lupe had hopes for some high times at the Red Onion!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe was in for high times, alright, but not at the Red Onion Saloon, at least not now.\u00a0 Today Lupe’s high times were going to involve 4,740 feet of elevation gain climbing AB Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,036 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 She was going to join the Arctic Sisterhood!<\/p>\n

In 1899, back in the Klondike gold rush days, the Arctic Brotherhood<\/strong><\/span><\/a> had been founded by 11 gold prospectors on a steamship headed for Skagway from Seattle.\u00a0 The Arctic Brotherhood was originally a fraternal order whose members pledged to assist one another on the way to and while at the goldfields near Dawson City in the Yukon.<\/p>\n

The in-land journey to the goldfields started at Skagway, where a unique two story hall decorated on the exterior with driftwood was built as the Arctic Brotherhood’s headquarters.\u00a0 For a while, the Arctic Brotherhood became very popular and expanded rapidly, at one point having over 10,000 members and up to 34 different camps distributed throughout the Yukon and southern Alaska.<\/p>\n

A NNE trending ridge starting at Yakutania Point just W of Skagway rises from Taiya Inlet some 5,036 feet to a mountaintop more than 5 miles away.\u00a0 The letters “AB” appear on this mountain when snow conditions are right, so the mountain became known as A.B. Mountain or Arctic Brotherhood Mountain.\u00a0 It’s sometimes said in modern times that climbing AB Mountain makes one a member of the Arctic Brotherhood.<\/p>\n

The real Arctic Brotherhood never accepted female members, but SPHP didn’t want to worry Lupe with such trivial details.\u00a0 As far as SPHP was concerned, if the plucky Carolina Dog could get to the top of the mountain today, she was going to become a member of the Arctic Sisterhood.\u00a0 SPHP told her as much.<\/p>\n

Of course, after all her wonderful adventures in the Yukon and Alaska both last year and yet to come on this 2017 Dingo Vacation, Lupe was excited about the prospect of joining the Arctic Sisterhood!\u00a0 She was eager to get going right away!<\/p>\n

SPHP found the small trailhead for AB Mountain on the S (L) side of the road to Dyea almost immediately after the road turned to gravel.\u00a0 On the opposite side of the road Lupe spotted a small sign saying A.B. Mountain next to the start of the Skyline Trail.\u00a0 (9:30 AM, 59\u00b0F)<\/em><\/p>\n

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Come on, SPHP! This is it, the Skyline Trail to AB Mountain!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For the first 2.25 miles, the trail was wide and easy to follow.\u00a0 It varied quite a bit on how steep it was, with both fairly steep and almost level sections.\u00a0 Lupe even came to a few dips.\u00a0 Overall, Lupe gained elevation at a moderate pace.<\/p>\n

This early part of the trail went through a forest.\u00a0 Not far from the trailhead, Lupe explored a short side spur leading off the main trail to an exposed boulder.\u00a0 This boulder provided a view back toward Skagway and the Taiya Inlet.\u00a0 Everywhere else the only views were of the forest.<\/p>\n

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The wide, well worn trail to AB Mountain starts off in a forest.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Early in the trek, a boulder at the end of a short spur off the main trail provides this view of the Taiya Inlet. This is the only viewpoint for more than 2 miles. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Shortly after returning to the main trail, Lupe crossed the first of two small streams.<\/p>\n

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Lupe wades in the first small stream that crosses the trail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Continuing past the first small stream, the forest was tall and thick for a long way.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After crossing the first stream, the trail went a long way through the forest before eventually crossing a second small stream.\u00a0 Beyond the second stream, the trail began to steepen rapidly.\u00a0 It was soon so steep that SPHP was often grabbing branches, tree trunks, rocks – whatever was available for assistance.\u00a0 The steep climb didn’t bother Lupe, though.<\/p>\n

At the start of this steep section, the trail had still been in thick forest.\u00a0 As Lupe gained elevation, however, the situation began to change.\u00a0 Tall bushes and Devil’s club<\/strong><\/span><\/a> mingled in among the trees.\u00a0 Lupe even saw a few blueberries and crowberries.\u00a0 Gradually, the trees became smaller and fewer.\u00a0 The tall bushes and Devil’s club prevailed.\u00a0 Views were now starting to open up.<\/p>\n

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As Lupe got higher, the trees began to thin. Tall bushes and Devil’s club began to dominate, and views started opening up. Photo looks SSW toward Skagway and Taiya Inlet.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP had previously read online about an obstacle that Lupe had to be fast approaching.\u00a0 Somewhere along this steep section of the trail, trip reports stated there was a rope needed to get up a particularly slippery, dangerous spot.\u00a0 How bad was this spot?\u00a0 Was it a small cliff?\u00a0 Would Lupe even be able to get past it?\u00a0 SPHP was worried that the rope might be as far as the Carolina Dog could go.<\/p>\n

Lupe finally did reach a yellow rope dangling 40 or 50 feet down a long, smooth-surfaced rock.\u00a0 The rock was plenty steep, but this wasn’t nearly as bad as SPHP had feared it might be.\u00a0 No exposure, no insurmountable obstacles.\u00a0 In fact, the American Dingo could scamper up and down the rock at will.\u00a0 The rope was a tremendous help to SPHP.\u00a0 With its assistance SPHP simply walked right on up the rock no problem at all.<\/p>\n

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Lupe reaches the dreaded rope section. It turned out to be nothing to worry about at all. The rope made it easy for SPHP to walk right on up. Lupe was perfectly capable of scampering up and down the steep rock at will without it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe kept climbing.\u00a0 SPHP had to stop frequently to catch breath.\u00a0 Lupe was starting to get above all the trees.\u00a0 The trail remained very steep.\u00a0 Even the tall bushes and Devil’s club were starting to give way to shorter vegetation.\u00a0 A high point up ahead looked like the start of easier terrain, and some fabulous sweeping views.<\/p>\n

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The trail remained very steep above the rope, but this high point eventually came into view promising both easier terrain and sweeping views ahead.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Starting to get above not only the trees, but the tall bushes, too. Skagway is on the L. Yakutania Point and the forest Lupe had come through on the way up are at Center. Dyea Point is the skinny peninsula on the R. Photo looks SSW along Taiya Inlet.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The climb up to the first sweeping viewpoint was farther than it looked, but Lupe and SPHP made it.\u00a0 The terrain was a lot easier here.\u00a0 The vegetation was reduced to tundra plants.\u00a0 Nothing obstructed the glorious views which were absolutely amazing in virtually every direction.<\/p>\n

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Lupe reaches the first sweeping viewpoint above the steepest section of the trail to AB Mountain. Dyea is in the valley at lower R. Parsons Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,600 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> towers across the bay on the L.\u00a0 Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lupe with a terrific view of Taiya Inlet. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe met two people at this first sweeping viewpoint.\u00a0 Sean and Rebecca Riordan from Brooklyn, New York were here enjoying the grand views.\u00a0 They had come to Skagway aboard the Explorer of the Seas, which Lupe had seen docked down at Skagway this morning.\u00a0 Sean and Rebecca were super friendly and nice to Lupe.\u00a0 Rebecca said her grandma was named Lupe, too!<\/p>\n

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Lupe met Sean & Rebecca Riordan from Brooklyn, New York at this first sweeping viewpoint. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Sean and Rebecca were super friendly and nice to Lupe. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Rebecca and Lupe with Taiya Inlet in the background. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Rebecca has a grandma named Lupe, too!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Sean and Lupe together. Sean was looking forward to pizza and drinks aboard the Explorer of the Seas this evening. Lupe thought maybe she’d join Sean if the Red Onion Saloon didn’t work out with SPHP. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sean, Rebecca and SPHP had a good time chatting for quite a while.\u00a0 Lupe certainly didn’t mind taking a break being petted and loved.<\/p>\n

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Relaxing with Sean and Rebecca Riordan before they depart for Skagway and pizza and drinks aboard the luxurious Explorer of the Seas. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sean and Rebecca had to be back down to the Explorer of the Seas in time for an 8:00 PM departure, so eventually Lupe and SPHP had to bid them farewell and bon voyage.\u00a0 If the American Dingo hadn’t been committed to joining the Arctic Sisterhood today, she might well have followed Sean and Rebecca down for pizza and drinks aboard the luxurious Explorer of the Seas.<\/p>\n

As it was, it was time to get moving again.\u00a0 The summit of AB Mountain was still a long way off, not even in sight yet.\u00a0 Up ahead, Lupe could see two rounded higher hills along the ridge.\u00a0 The trail led toward a closer wall of rock, as if destined to skirt these hills to the W (L).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
After Sean and Rebecca headed down, Lupe and SPHP continued on looking for the summit of AB Mountain. Two rounded hills were in sight. The trail led toward the wall of rock partly in view on the L. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trail was no longer as wide, well-worn and easy to follow as it had been way back down in the forest.\u00a0 SPHP somehow lost it, and wound up on a boulder field below the E side of the rock wall.\u00a0 About half way through the boulder field, people were seen up on top of the rock wall.\u00a0 Apparently the trail was actually up there.<\/p>\n

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It was slow going on this boulder field below the wall of rock on the L. The trail was actually up on top, but SPHP had somehow lost it. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe and SPHP made it past the boulder field, and up onto the ridgeline beyond the two rounded hills.\u00a0 The trail continued winding along the top of the ridge, and after a while Lupe could see two distant high points ahead.\u00a0 The closer, lower one was marked on the topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a> as the location of Hump Benchmark.<\/p>\n

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After following the ridge a long way beyond the two rounded hills, two distant high points appear ahead in shadow. The closer, lower one is the location of Hump Benchmark on the topo map. SPHP thought the summit of AB Mountain was the higher point beyond it. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was still a long way to Hump Benchmark, never mind the summit.\u00a0 Lupe continued up the ridgeline.\u00a0 Sometimes the trail was easy to follow, sometimes cairns marked the way, sometimes there was no indication at all of where to go except onward and upward.\u00a0 Lupe was still gaining elevation steadily.\u00a0 The views were fantastic on all sides.<\/p>\n

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Lupe continued gaining elevation along the giant ridgeline. The views were simply tremendous on all sides! Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking NE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The East Fork of the Skagway River valley. Photo looks ESE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The Reid Creek valley. Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Parson Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,600 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (far L) from the AB Mountain ridge. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking WNW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lupe passing by a small pond up on the ridge. This pond is shown at 4,186 feet (1,276 m) on the topo map. Still 1,050 feet of elevation gain to go from here! Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP was getting tired.\u00a0 It seemed like Lupe had already gone a long, long way, but it was clear she still had significant ground left to cover.\u00a0 Several groups of people had either started out earlier in the morning, or had passed Loop and SPHP on the way up.\u00a0 Every now and then one of these groups was met making their way back down.<\/p>\n

No one seemed to know how far it was to the summit of AB Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,036 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, although SPHP was pretty certain Lupe had been seeing the summit beyond the Hump from various vantage points along the ridge.\u00a0 However, everyone had turned back before getting there.<\/p>\n

Only the last couple of guys Lupe met, one from England and the other from New Zealand, told SPHP they had been to the summit.\u00a0 They had found a large cairn at the top.\u00a0 They claimed it was only another 30 to 60 minutes away from where Lupe was now.<\/p>\n

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Two people approach Lupe on their way back down. Lupe met several such groups, but only the last two guys from England and New Zealand said they had made it to the summit of AB Mountain. In the distance on the L is the apparent summit, the high point just to its R is Hump Benchmark, or simply “the Hump” as SPHP came to call it. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Brit and the New Zealander had lied.\u00a0 Not on purpose maybe, perhaps they had gotten to the cairn that quickly, but SPHP couldn’t get there that fast.\u00a0 Not even close.\u00a0 An hour zipped by and the summit, wherever it was, still didn’t appear to be anywhere nearby.\u00a0 Lupe wasn’t even to the Hump yet.<\/p>\n

The trail had all but vanished.\u00a0 Lupe rarely even saw a cairn.\u00a0 Another problem now existed.\u00a0 The character of the long ridge was changing.\u00a0 Lupe came to a series of long gashes.\u00a0 Each gash extended all the way across from one side of the big ridge to the other, forcing Loop to find a way around or through each one.<\/p>\n

These gashes were all oriented SW\/NE.\u00a0 They seemed like they had been created by a giant wielding a dull knife to slice a series of cuts partway into the ridge, as if it were a loaf of bread.\u00a0 Each cut amounted to a gap, and at the edge of each gap Lupe found herself at the top of a wall of rock 10 to 30 feet high.\u00a0 Sometimes there were relatively easy routes down into the gashes and up the other side.\u00a0 Sometimes there weren’t.<\/p>\n

The gashes made this part of the ridge an interesting trek, but really slowed SPHP’s progress down.\u00a0 Lupe sometimes had to go way around the end of a gash.\u00a0 Usually it was too steep to go around the W side, but it was always possible to get around the E side, provided Lupe and SPHP down climbed enough.<\/p>\n

Instead of gaining elevation steadily, Loop sniffed and explored her way along a twisting up and down off-trail route wherever the terrain appeared most favorable.\u00a0 Some of the gaps she crossed were full of loose rock and boulders.\u00a0 Others contained snow banks.<\/p>\n

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Lupe discovers a snow bank in one of the gashes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lupe always likes finding snow banks.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Having to find ways around rock walls like the one on the R that extended clear across the ridge, made for an interesting, but long, tiring route.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lupe down in another gash near the steep W end. The Irene Glacier is seen on the L. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Irene Glacier (L). Photo looks NNW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At last, Lupe was nearing the Hump.\u00a0 However, the biggest, deepest gash yet appeared between her and the Hump.\u00a0 Looper had to lose 150 feet of elevation going around the far NE end of this gash.\u00a0 Then it was a long climb up a series of benches to reach the top of the Hump from the E.<\/p>\n

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The Hump is dead ahead. Unfortunately, there is an unseen deep gash between here and there. Lupe had to down climb at least 150 feet of elevation going around the NE (R) end. Part of Mount Clifford (5,696 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, is seen ahead on the R. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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East Fork of the Skagway River valley. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Loopster climbing the benches on the Hump. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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In yet another gash on the way up the Hump.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nearing the top of the Hump. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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East Fork of the Skagway River (L) from the Hump. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Part of Goat Lake is in view from the Hump. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When Lupe reached the top of the Hump, the weather was changing.\u00a0 All day long the sky had been slowly clouding up.\u00a0 Now clouds swept over the ridge to AB Mountain.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP were periodically engulfed in fog, only to have sunshine reappear a few minutes later.\u00a0 The clouds sailing by came out of the W.<\/p>\n

From the top of the Hump, Lupe could finally see the summit again.\u00a0 It wasn’t that far away!\u00a0 Loop had to lose some elevation to get there, but the terrain was now less rugged than it had been getting to the Hump.\u00a0 Lupe had an almost direct route to the summit!<\/p>\n

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From the the Hump, Lupe can see the summit of AB Mountain ahead! It isn’t that far away now, and the terrain is becoming easier again. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lupe enjoys a brief moment of sunshine as she closes in on the summit of AB Mountain. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking back down the ridge as another cloud closes in. Dyea is nearly 5,000 feet below on the R. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looper looks down on Dyea. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Almost there! It was exciting to think that Lupe was about to join the Arctic Sisterhood with a successful ascent of AB Mountain! Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe and SPHP made it to the summit cairn on AB Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,036 ft.)<\/span><\/strong><\/span>!\u00a0 Another cloud was sweeping over the ridge.\u00a0 Nothing could be seen except the nearby terrain.\u00a0 The rest of the world was gray.<\/p>\n

It was still a joyful moment!\u00a0 Lupe was at the top of AB Mountain.\u00a0 She had joined the Arctic Sisterhood!\u00a0 The long trek had been completely worth it.\u00a0 SPHP congratulated Lupe, shaking her paw and praising her persistent effort.<\/p>\n

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Lupe reaches the summit cairn on AB Mountain! Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The newest member of the Arctic Sisterhood stands proudly next to the summit cairn on AB Mountain. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lupe wondered if she was the first Carolina Dog to join the Arctic Sisterhood? SPHP said she might well be. This was a great honor for Looper and a notable achievement on behalf of all Carolina Dogs everywhere.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lupe gained more than 4,740 feet of elevation and had traveled more than 5 miles from the trailhead to get here.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lupe squints in bright light as the fog thins.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe had been standing up at the summit cairn for 6 or 7 minutes when a hole in the clouds opened up a partial view to the N.\u00a0 SPHP was surprised to see another high point not even 0.2 mile away!\u00a0 It looked to be almost identical in elevation to where Lupe was at the cairn.\u00a0 Was it possible it was even higher?\u00a0 Probably not, since the cairn was here, but SPHP checked the topo map anyway.<\/p>\n

Oh, good grief!\u00a0 That other high point to the N actually was the true summit of AB Mountain!\u00a0 The topo map showed the other high point as 1535 meters (5,036 feet) compared to 1532 meters (5,026 feet) where Loopster was standing at the cairn.\u00a0 No denying it.\u00a0 Assuming the topo map was correct, which one had to, that other high point was 10 feet higher.\u00a0 The map even showed the name AB Mountain right at that N high point.<\/p>\n

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After Lupe had been at the summit cairn 6 or 7 minutes, the clouds parted to reveal this other high point to the N. A check of the topo map revealed it was 10 feet higher than where the cairn was, and actually the true summit of AB Mountain. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was now 2 hours since the Englishman and New Zealander had told SPHP it was only 30 to 60 minutes to the summit of AB Mountain.\u00a0 Clearly they<\/em> hadn’t bothered going over to the N high point.\u00a0 They’d only mentioned the cairn.\u00a0 It was getting rather late in the afternoon, and the weather was continuing to degrade with more clouds moving in.<\/p>\n

No matter!\u00a0 Lupe was going to the true summit!\u00a0 It didn’t look hard to get there, and shouldn’t take long.\u00a0 No time to lose, though.\u00a0 SPHP explained to Looper that to make her ascent of AB Mountain and new membership in the Arctic Sisterhood official, she needed to tag that N high point.<\/p>\n

SPHP didn’t have to tell her twice.\u00a0 Loop led the way to the true summit.<\/p>\n

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Lupe approaches a snow drift in a low spot on the way to AB Mountain’s true summit. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Clouds obscured all views again as Lupe reached the true summit of AB Mountain.\u00a0 A small rock stuck in a crack atop a massive rock appeared to be the absolute highest point on AB Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,036 ft.)<\/span><\/strong><\/span>.\u00a0 Lupe was happy to make her ascent and membership in the Arctic Sisterhood official by standing next to it.\u00a0 SPHP put one of her front paws on top of the little rock and it was done.<\/p>\n

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All official now! Lupe stands proudly next to the highest little rock on AB Mountain. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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First Carolina Dog ever at the true summit of AB Mountain? SPHP thought there was a good chance Lupe had that honor.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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So did I do it? Can I relax now? ……. Yep, you’re official now Miss Arctic Sisterhood!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe remained at the true summit of AB Mountain for more than 20 minutes.\u00a0 A 10 mph SW breeze blew a steady stream of fog across the mountaintop.\u00a0 Every now and then, a partial view to the NE was momentarily revealed.\u00a0 A few times Lupe saw blue sky and sunshine directly overhead, while surrounded by fog.\u00a0 Most of the time the summit was simply socked in.\u00a0 Loop never did see more than a faint outline of Mount Clifford, the next higher peak farther N along the ridge.<\/p>\n

The American Dingo rested peacefully next to the little rock at the top of AB Mountain enjoying her status as the newest member of the Arctic Sisterhood.\u00a0 There were a couple of other rocks nearby competing closely for the title of true summit.\u00a0 After resting up and having some Taste of the Wild, Lupe tagged them, too.\u00a0 No cairn or registry was found.<\/p>\n

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The clouds parted enough to permit a few brief glimpses off to the NE while Lupe was at true summit of AB Mountain. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The newest official member of the Arctic Sisterhood relaxes at the true summit of AB Mountain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Tagging a competing high point.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking SSW, the direction Lupe had come from and would have to return.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Final moments in the fog near the true summit of AB Mountain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was already early evening when Lupe and SPHP finally left the true summit of AB Mountain in a dark fog.\u00a0 Lupe returned briefly to the cairn at the false summit, but could see nothing.<\/p>\n

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Looking toward the false summit shortly after starting back. The cairn is up there somewhere. Lupe returned to it briefly. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe and SPHP hurried on due to the lateness of the hour.\u00a0 The long trek back was a happy one and most enjoyable.\u00a0 The solitude was unbroken.\u00a0 Lupe seemed energized by the cool clouds and now mostly downhill route.\u00a0 She ran and sniffed and explored far more than she had on the way up.<\/p>\n

Fog prevailed much of the way, continuing to stream by from out of the WSW.\u00a0 Once in a while there were holes in the clouds.\u00a0 Dramatic glacier-clad mountain views popped into sight.\u00a0 Lupe bathed in sunlight on the beautiful ridge for anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes before it all disappeared again.<\/p>\n

For a long time, Lupe and SPHP worked in dense fog back past all the gashes cutting across the ridge.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog still faced significant down climbs to the NE, especially getting beyond the Hump.\u00a0 Once past all the gashes, Lupe generally stayed right on top of the ridgeline and had more luck finding the best routes.\u00a0 A few well-positioned cairns proved much more helpful pointing out the faint trail now than on the way up.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe was in fog most of the way back down, but every so often holes in the clouds permitted a better look at her surroundings.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Coming to a large snowbank in another gash. Mountains and glaciers pop back into view. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Snow break! Time for a bit of frolicking!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Another look SE from this same gash.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe pauses for a look at the valley of the East Fork of the Skagway River. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Zoomed in on some of the incredible peaks and glaciers. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A good look down a long stretch of the AB Mountain ridge. Lupe had met Sean and Rebecca many hours ago way down at the last lowest bump of the ridge in view on the R. Taiya Inlet is seen faintly beyond Lupe. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a while, the clouds became so thick no more breaks appeared.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP continued lower traveling through dense fog.\u00a0 It wasn’t until Lupe was working her way down the steep section that she lost enough elevation to emerge below the cloud cover.<\/p>\n

Lupe could see Skagway now.\u00a0 The Explorer of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas remained in port.\u00a0 Sean and Rebecca were still in Skagway!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
It wasn’t until Lupe was way back down to the steep section that she got below the clouds and could see Skagway again. The Explorer of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas were still in port. Sean and Rebecca were still in Skagway! Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Any hopes the Carolina Dog might have had of having pizza and drinks with the Riordans were soon dashed, however.\u00a0 The Explorer of the Seas was leaving!\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP stood watching Explorer of the Seas sail S away from Skagway down Taiya Inlet.\u00a0 Sean and Rebecca were probably enjoying their pizza and drinks right this very moment.<\/p>\n

30 minutes later, Lupe saw the Radiance of the Seas follow the Explorer of the Seas away from Skagway.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Explorer of the Seas sails away from Skagway starting S down Taiya Inlet. No doubt Sean and Rebecca were aboard enjoying their pizza and drinks right this very minute.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So Lupe never did get to see Sean and Rebecca again.\u00a0 They sailed away on adventures of their own.\u00a0 Lupe’s fabulous expedition up AB Mountain had been successful.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog had made it all the long, long way to the true summit.\u00a0 Lupe had joined the Arctic Sisterhood!\u00a0 Tomorrow would bring another fantastic northern adventure worthy of any official new member.<\/p>\n

Down in the dark forest, dusk faded to the unbroken blackness of a starless night.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP traveled on through the gloom until at long last, the A.B. Mountain sign appeared in the flashlight’s beam at the start of the trail.\u00a0 Lupe crossed the road to the G6, ready for Alpo and dreams of days gone by striking it rich in the faraway Klondike gold fields.\u00a0 (11:16 PM)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
New Arctic Sisterhood member, Lupe, reports in at the Arctic Brotherhood hall in Skagway the next morning.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

AB Mountain trailhead directions:\u00a0<\/strong> From the South Klondike Highway (No. 98) take the turn onto Dyea Road (0.5 mile from Skagway, or 4 miles from US Customs).\u00a0 Follow Dyea Road 2 miles.\u00a0 Shortly before reaching the trailhead on the L (S) side of Dyea Road, you will pass a paved parking lot at a pullout on the L with a view of Skagway.\u00a0 Dyea road turns to gravel a little past the pullout, and the trailhead appears soon after on the L (S) side of the road.\u00a0 The trail starts at the A.B. Mountain sign on the other (N) side of the road directly across from the trailhead.\u00a0 The trailhead has room for only 3 or 4 vehicles.<\/em><\/p>\n

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

A Brief History of the Arctic Brotherhood<\/strong><\/span><\/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><\/a><\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Day 8 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska! Loopster was right!\u00a0 When Monday morning arrived, Skagway bore no resemblance to the virtual ghost town it had been at dusk on Sunday night.\u00a0 It was still early.\u00a0 Skagway wasn’t terribly busy yet, but you could just feel that the whole town would … Continue reading AB Mountain – Lupe Joins the Arctic Sisterhood! Skagway, Alaska (8-7-17)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13097,"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":[8,905,704,105,902,903,106,26,104,11,904],"class_list":["post-13157","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2017-yukon-alaska","tag-omniten","tag-ab-mountain","tag-alaska","tag-american-dingo","tag-arctic-brotherhood","tag-arctic-sisterhood","tag-carolina-dog","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-lupe","tag-peakbagging","tag-skagway"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/IMG_6172.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\/13157","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=13157"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13157\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16364,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13157\/revisions\/16364"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13097"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13157"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13157"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13157"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}