{"id":13326,"date":"2018-05-24T08:10:57","date_gmt":"2018-05-24T14:10:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=13326"},"modified":"2018-08-01T22:14:11","modified_gmt":"2018-08-02T04:14:11","slug":"fraser-peak-british-columbia-canada-8-9-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=13326","title":{"rendered":"Fraser Peak, British Columbia, Canada (8-9-17)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 10 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska!<\/em><\/p>\n

Something was still wrong.\u00a0 The road Lupe had been following from the gravel pit went only a short distance before ending at a shack in an impenetrably dense forest.\u00a0 This couldn’t possibly be right.\u00a0 If it was, the forest had grown up to such an extent that the Carolina Dog was never going to get to Fraser Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,978 ft)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 After a quick glance around to make sure no sign of a road or trail was being missed, Loop and SPHP went back the way they’d come.<\/p>\n

The instructions SPHP had taken off the internet before Lupe left on this Dingo Vacation<\/strong><\/span><\/a> seemed clear enough, and the morning had begun well.\u00a0 It was a beautiful, cloudless day.\u00a0 After leaving the International Falls trailhead, Lupe and SPHP had headed N on South Klondike Highway No. 2, stopping at a few pullouts along the way for a look at small sparkling lakes in the scenic, heavily glaciated Tormented Valley.<\/p>\n

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Lupe checks out views in the Tormented Valley near South Klondike Highway No. 2. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fraser Peak was only 5 miles N of International Falls, and easily spotted from the South Klondike Highway.\u00a0 There was supposed to be a pullout that serves as a trailhead on the E side of the highway about 1 km (0.6 mile) S of Canadian Customs.\u00a0 SPHP also watched for a side road going W or NW into the forest on the opposite side of the highway 100 meters (330 ft.) N of the pullout toward customs.<\/p>\n

As it turned out, there were two large gravel parking areas on the E side of the South Klondike Highway.\u00a0 Between them SPHP did see a side road going NW from the highway.\u00a0 This side road was nearest to the pullout closest to Canadian Customs.\u00a0 It was blocked by two cement barriers, and disappeared into tall bushes and forest beyond them.<\/p>\n

The side road was not 100 meters N from either of the pullouts.\u00a0 It was the wrong direction from the pullout closest to customs, and more than twice as far N as it should have been from the pullout farther S.\u00a0 There was no doubt Lupe was in the correct area, however.\u00a0 Fraser Peak was right where it should be, and so was Canadian Customs.\u00a0 Maybe the online directions were just a bit sloppy?<\/p>\n

SPHP turned the G6 around and drove back to the pullout farther away from customs.\u00a0 Lupe would start for Fraser Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,978 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> from here.\u00a0 (11:05 AM, 66\u00b0F)<\/em><\/p>\n

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Fraser Peak<\/strong> from the gravel pullout on the E side of South Klondike Highway No. 2 roughly 1 km S of Canadian Customs. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Another look with some help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Loop crossed over to the W side of South Klondike Highway No. 2.\u00a0 It still bothered SPHP that the side road was so far from the pullout.\u00a0 As the Carolina Dog followed the highway N, SPHP kept an eye out for signs of another road, but saw nothing.\u00a0 Lupe reached the side road with its concrete barriers perhaps 250 meters from where the G6 was parked.<\/p>\n

The side road headed W or NW into the forest, as expected.\u00a0 This road was supposed to go 0.6 km before reaching a junction with another road near a gate.\u00a0 Lupe would take the second road SW to Fraser Peak.<\/p>\n

Fine and dandy, but that wasn’t how it worked out.\u00a0 After entering the forest, the side road soon curved N away from Fraser Peak.\u00a0 Unexpected.\u00a0 Finding no sign of any trail continuing NW, Lupe and SPHP stuck with the road.\u00a0 Before long Looper arrived at a gravel pit.<\/p>\n

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So, we’ve come all the way to NW British Columbia to tour a gravel pit, aye, SPHP? Better take another look at those directions!<\/em> Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Most High Exalted Dingo of the Arctic Sisterhood was right.\u00a0 Better check those directions again.\u00a0 The directions did mention this gravel pit and a highway maintenance garage as an alternate starting point for Fraser Peak.\u00a0 For those coming from the N who don’t want to have to go through Canadian Customs, a road to the gravel pit leaves the W side of South Klondike Highway No. 2 shortly before reaching customs.<\/p>\n

Not sure why we wound up here starting from where we did Loop, but it’s fine.\u00a0 There’s supposed to be an old road going SW from the NW portion of this gravel pit.\u00a0 It will take us to the gate we are supposed to be looking for, although it’s now 0.9 km away instead of only 0.6 km.<\/em><\/p>\n

So follow the SW edge of this gravel pit NW looking for an old road?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yep.\u00a0 That ought to do it.<\/em><\/p>\n

Except it didn’t.\u00a0 Instead, when Lupe found an old road, it ended at this dilapidated shack in impenetrable forest.\u00a0 Hmmm.\u00a0 Back to the gravel pit.\u00a0 Maybe there was another road even farther NW?\u00a0 Sure enough, the American Dingo found one.\u00a0 Yeah, this was it alright.\u00a0 All systems go!<\/p>\n

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Lupe at the start of one of the two roads going SW (toward the camera) from the gravel pit. If only SPHP remembered if this was the right road, or the one going to the shack! If you take this one and arrive at a shack, come back and turn L (NW) here. The correct road isn’t far off. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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What’cha think of this road, SPHP? Looking better? ….. Oh yeah, Looper. No doubt about it. All systems go! Carry on, sweet Dingo.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The correct road was nearly level and went through the forest heading straight toward the lower end of Fraser Peak’s NE ridge.\u00a0 The whole mountain was soon in view.<\/p>\n

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Heading for Fraser Peak<\/strong> from the gravel pit and highway maintenance yard. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Loop reached the gate mentioned in the directions.\u00a0 30 feet before the gate, a trail or faint road intersected with the road Lupe was on.\u00a0 It came out of the forest from the SE (L).\u00a0 SPHP was certain that was the route Lupe was supposed to have taken to get here from the highway.\u00a0 Oh, well.\u00a0 This had been a roundabout way, but so what?\u00a0 It worked.<\/p>\n

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Lupe reaches the gate mentioned in the directions. 30 feet from the gate toward the camera, a trail or faint side road intersected with the road Lupe was following. It went E or SE and had to be the shortest route back to the highway. No doubt it was the route SPHP had intended Loop to use to get here. Eh, whatever works! Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond the gate, the road started gaining elevation.\u00a0 Already near noon, it was sunny and getting hot out.\u00a0 There wasn’t much shade on the road.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP would have liked to stop in the shade when there was some, but biting flies and mosquitoes made that not such a great idea.<\/p>\n

The road had steepened quite a bit by the time it began curving W up a ravine.\u00a0 A creek in the ravine was too large and swift to cross easily.\u00a0 The directions said to continue following the road, anyway.\u00a0 The road would lead to a better place higher up to ford the creek.<\/p>\n

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Lupe near the big stream rushing down from Bryant Lake. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Getting closer to Fraser Peak<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The road briefly leveled out as Loop approached the ford.\u00a0 An elevated pipeline in a wooden housing also went over the stream.\u00a0 The wooden housing was clearly marked “Keep Off – Fall Hazard”, yet a distinct trail led right up to it.\u00a0 Clearly this warning is not always heeded.<\/p>\n

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Lupe arrives at the ford. Bryant Lake, where the stream comes from, isn’t too far away beyond the ridge ahead. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The ford didn’t look bad.\u00a0 The water was swift and knee deep on SPHP, but the creek bottom wasn’t as full of big rocks where the road crossed it as elsewhere.\u00a0 SPHP waded in.\u00a0 Looper followed, but the fast water was deep enough to scare her.\u00a0 She retreated to the bank.<\/p>\n

SPHP made it across just fine.\u00a0 Once on the far side, SPHP turned around to begin the process of coaxing Lupe to follow.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog had vanished!\u00a0 Looking up, there she stood, feeling foxy and quite pleased with herself on the Dingo bridge.<\/p>\n

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Warning sign? What warning sign? Mighty nice of these Canadians to provide this nifty Dingo bridge!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Now that the stream had been crossed, Lupe and SPHP left the road climbing a steep hillside to the SW.\u00a0 In retrospect, it might have been better to stay on the road all the way to Bryant Lake, which wasn’t all that much farther away.\u00a0 The lake would have been worth seeing.\u00a0 However, climbing the hillside was a more direct route to Fraser Peak.<\/p>\n

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Looper on her way up the steep hillside after crossing the creek and leaving the road. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The steep hillside wasn’t terribly high.\u00a0 Loopster was soon up where the terrain leveled out to some extent.\u00a0 Loop and SPHP now headed S or SE toward the lower end of the big E ridge coming down from the N end of Fraser Peak.<\/p>\n

Lupe was already near tree line.\u00a0 She traveled across open ground where little streams trickled down gentle slopes to shallow ponds.\u00a0 Yet it must have been quite dry recently.\u00a0 The tundra crunched beneath SPHP’s boots.\u00a0 Loop had a good view of the big ridge she needed to get up on ahead.\u00a0 A rocky ravine with a snow bank in it looked like a good place to begin the ascent.<\/p>\n

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Lupe reaches a flat area full of little streams and shallow ponds. Fraser Peak’s NE ridge is straight ahead. Lupe would try going up the ravine with the snow bank in it at Center. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe and SPHP weren’t entirely alone.\u00a0 As the American Dingo headed for the big ridge, several grouse or ptarmigans got her all excited.\u00a0 They ran along the ground a short distance before flying off.<\/p>\n

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Lupe saw several of these grouse or ptarmigans on the tundra.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Approaching Fraser Peak’s NE ridge. Lupe began her ascent heading for the snow bank seen on the L. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The route up the ravine with the snow bank was steeper than expected, and the upper reaches were very rocky.\u00a0 Lupe had to wait around quite a bit for SPHP.\u00a0 She was already getting some great views of the Tormented Valley off to the E and NE.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe reaches the snow bank. This upper end of the ravine she’d come up was very rocky. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lupe had plenty of time to relax while waiting for SPHP. She has a great view of a large portion of the Tormented Valley from here. Canadian Customs along South Klondike Highway No. 2 is in view on the near side of Bernard Lake. The gravel pit near customs and the road Lupe followed through the forest are also visible on the L. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When Lupe reached the ridgeline, she still had a very long climb ahead of her.\u00a0 Fraser Peak’s long NE ridge had a series of large gaps or gashes running across it like the one she’d come up.\u00a0 Just like at AB Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,036 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and International Falls, these ravines were oriented SW\/NE.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP found it easiest to stay well S of the steeper N edge of the ridgeline when trying to get past the gaps.<\/p>\n

Between the gaps, Lupe had to climb up and over a series of steep ridges.\u00a0 There was a lot of exposed rock, but for a long way there was also a fair amount of alpine vegetation.\u00a0 Loop was often able to follow natural vegetated ramps zig-zagging up the rock formations on the ridges.<\/p>\n

The gaps were sometimes full of broken rock.\u00a0 Often there were large snow banks or hidden tarns.\u00a0 Lupe almost always lost some elevation crossing these ravines.\u00a0 The gashes made the climb significantly harder and more time consuming than going up a smoother, more even ridge would have been.<\/p>\n

Whenever Loopster was on or climbing the ridges between the gashes, the views were tremendous.\u00a0 She enjoyed a splendid panorama of a vast territory to the E.<\/p>\n

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Even on the lower portions of Fraser Peak’s long, rough NE ridge Lupe had fabulous panoramic views. Long, skinny Summit Lake in the Tormented Valley<\/strong> is seen below. White Pass<\/strong> is at the far end of Summit Lake<\/strong> on the R. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Bernard Lake<\/strong> (Foreground) and Shallow Lake<\/strong> (L) form a continuous crescent down in the Tormented Valley<\/strong>, a great deal of which is seen here. The South Klondike Highway, Canadian Customs and gravel pit are all on the L. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Miss Giant Pink Tongue enjoying the day on the way up Fraser Peak.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Fraser Peak’s NE ridge was rough ground, but nothing too difficult or scary until much higher up. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lupe occasionally saw more grouse or ptarmigan. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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This grouse or ptarmigan didn’t seem worried about Lupe and SPHP passing by.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looper on one of the ridges with a grand view of Summit Lake<\/strong>, White Pass<\/strong> (R), and many beautiful peaks beyond. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a long, winding climb over ridges and gashes, Lupe came to the last big gash in Fraser Peak’s main NE ridge.\u00a0 She was above nearly all of the alpine vegetation now.\u00a0 The gash was full of broken rock and snow.<\/p>\n

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Looking over the last big gash Loop had to get past. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A certain Dingo was rather pleased to reach the huge snowdrift in the last big gash.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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In addition to the big snowdrift, the last big gash contained a lot of broken rock. Mount Carmack<\/span><\/a> (6,808 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is the highest peak at Center in the distance. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once past the final gash, the toughest part of the climb up Fraser Peak was directly ahead.\u00a0 This was the steepest part of the mountain.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP were now much closer to the cliffy N side of the ridge.\u00a0 The ridge narrowed considerably as the Carolina Dog scrambled ever higher.<\/p>\n

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Lupe stands above the last gash. The hardest, steepest part of the climb up Fraser Peak was directly ahead. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Fraser Peak is turning into quite a feat for my second Arctic Sisterhood adventure! Wonder what we’ll see from the top, SPHP?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

American Dingoes are great scramblers.\u00a0 SPHP frequently had to use hands for support.\u00a0 A few super steep spots where there was a lot of loose rock and dirt were the worst.\u00a0 The upper portion of the ridge narrowed so much that for the first time it was possible to see a path worn by other climbers.<\/p>\n

SPHP proceeded cautiously, slowly.\u00a0 A mistake up here would not be good.\u00a0 Lupe was very patient.\u00a0 Finally the steepest part of the climb was over.\u00a0 The terrain remained very rough, but was rapidly leveling out.\u00a0 Awesome cliffs were close at hand.<\/p>\n

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Getting close, but that’s not the summit yet. The rough terrain has already leveled out quite a bit. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Oddly enough, the scariest part of the whole climb was a short stretch of level ground.\u00a0 Lupe was very high on the NE ridge when she came to a section that narrowed down to as little as 3 or 4 feet wide.\u00a0 Only a 20 or 30 foot long stretch was this narrow, but the steep drops to the abyss on both sides were essentially cliffs.\u00a0 This part of the ridge was flat overall, but covered with tilted rocks.\u00a0 Fortunately, the rocks were small.<\/p>\n

No significant obstacle rested upon this rock bridge in the sky, but the fearsome dizzying drops on either side gave SPHP pause.\u00a0 Lupe waited calmly while SPHP tried to summon an ounce or two of courage.\u00a0 Walking across that bridge of rock really wasn’t anything physically difficult at all.\u00a0 Nothing to it actually.\u00a0 It would take only a few seconds.\u00a0 On the other side, the way to the summit was open.\u00a0 This was it, the final test.\u00a0 Several minutes passed.<\/p>\n

SPHP patted Lupe and felt better.\u00a0 Let’s do it!<\/em>\u00a0 Over in a flash.\u00a0 Made it!\u00a0 So pathetically easy, yet psychologically difficult.\u00a0 Apparently the Most High Exalted Dingo of the Arctic Sisterhood suffered no qualms.\u00a0 She had trotted across like it was nothing.<\/p>\n

At any rate, it was done.\u00a0 The route to Fraser Peak’s summit was wide open.\u00a0 Fear turned to joy!\u00a0 Lupe was going to make it!<\/p>\n

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Lupe safely beyond the narrow spot (not pictured). The route to the summit is all cake from here! Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In only a few more minutes, Lupe was approaching the summit area.\u00a0 The top of Fraser Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,978 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was divided into two minor ridges by yet another gash of moderate size.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP were closest to the lower NE section of the summit region.\u00a0 Here, a large pole stuck up at the edge of a cliff to the E.\u00a0 It had been visible for a long way from below, but SPHP had mistakenly taken it for an antenna or tower of some sort.<\/p>\n

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Lupe reaches the summit region. It was divided into two unequal parts by the gash seen at Center and R. The lower, smaller NE portion is ahead on the L. Some sort of large pole stood there at the edge of a cliff. Fraser Peak’s true summit is still farther ahead on the R. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Before continuing to the true summit, Lupe headed over to the curious pole to investigate.\u00a0 The pole was at least 2 feet thick and perhaps 20 feet tall.\u00a0 It was all bare wood except for a red painted figure resembling an odd Santa Claus carved into the upper end of the pole.\u00a0 The figure faced NE gazing out beyond the cliff over the Tormented Valley.<\/p>\n

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Lupe arrives to inspect the odd totem pole on Fraser Peak<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The significance of this strange totem pole wasn’t at all clear.\u00a0 Lupe had seen similar native artwork in Carcross a few days ago.\u00a0 The red figure almost assuredly was not Santa Claus, but no plaque or anything else was around to explain who or what he represented.<\/p>\n

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Lupe found nothing to explain the presence of this totem pole or the strange figure carved into it. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Whoever the red figure represents, he has a tremendous view of the Tormented Valley. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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If the strange character at the top of the pole would have been able to turn to face S, he would have had this incredible view of Summit Lake<\/strong> and the South Klondike Highway. White Pass is<\/strong> at far R. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Having inspected the totem pole without learning much, it was time to go in search of Fraser Peak’s true summit, which had to be very close now.\u00a0 Lupe went down into the gash separating the summit area into two sections.\u00a0 The terrain was still rising as she headed SW up onto the larger, higher ridge.<\/p>\n

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A look at the gully or gash that separates Fraser Peak’s summit area into two separate ridges. The lower, smaller NE ridge is on the L. From the totem pole, Loop headed SW up onto the bigger, higher ridge on the R in search of the true summit. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The higher SW portion of Fraser Peak’s summit area encompassed 2 acres of rocky ground almost entirely devoid of vegetation.\u00a0 The surface was uneven, but not steep.\u00a0 Near the SW end, 4 minor high points were in contention for the title of true summit.\u00a0 The two highest were a couple of large boulders separated by only 5 to 10 feet.\u00a0 The W boulder seemed an inch or two higher than the E one.<\/p>\n

Lupe hopped up on the W boulder to claim Fraser Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,978 ft.)<\/span><\/strong><\/span> as her first peakbagging success since becoming the Most High Exalted Dingo of the Arctic Sisterhood after climbing AB Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,036 ft.) <\/span><\/strong>two days ago.\u00a0 Loop had an eye-popping view of Taiya Peak (6,844 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (2,086 m) a couple of miles away to the SW.<\/p>\n

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Success! The Most High Exalted Dingo of the Arctic Sisterhood stands atop the highest boulder on Fraser Peak<\/strong>. Beyond her is gorgeous snow and glacier clad Taiya Peak<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As impressive and beautiful as Taiya Peak was, it was only part of a vast snow white panorama of dramatic mountains partially buried beneath massive glaciers extending to the W horizon.<\/p>\n

SPHP recognized at least one of those high distant peaks.\u00a0 Lupe had seen it only yesterday from another angle at the far W end of her explorations off the International Falls trail.\u00a0 She was seeing it again here on Fraser Peak from a much higher vantage point.\u00a0 Not until many months later while looking at maps did SPHP begin to suspect that peak might have been the Skagway High Point<\/span><\/a> (8,239 ft.)<\/span><\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n

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Wowee, SPHP! What a fantastic view! I’m sure glad we came to Fraser Peak<\/strong>. This is a spectacular peak for my second ever Arctic Sisterhood expedition. Simply amazing!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Another look toward the heart of the most glorious scene. Lupe had seen the high distant peak at far L only yesterday from the International Falls area, too. SPHP wonders if it isn’t the Skagway High Point<\/span><\/a> (8,239)<\/span><\/strong>? Photo looks W with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lupe gives a one ear salute. The dark peak at the far R may be Mount Van Wagenen<\/span><\/a> (7,041 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> on the Alaska\/British Columbia border. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a stint at the true summit, Lupe moved to the next highest boulder only 5 or 10 feet away.\u00a0 It appeared to be only an inch or two lower than the true summit.\u00a0 From this E boulder Loop could see part of Summit Lake and the jagged snowy mountains beyond it to the SE.<\/p>\n

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Loopster on the 2nd highest E boulder on Fraser Peak<\/strong>. Part of Summit Lake<\/strong> is in view more than 3,000 feet lower. White Pass<\/strong> is at the far end of the lake on the R. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The third highest rock on Fraser Peak was another large boulder 20 feet NNW of the two highest ones, but was clearly a little lower.\u00a0 Another 30 feet beyond it to the NW was yet another high point on a small ridge.\u00a0 This fourth high point was easily at least a couple of feet lower than the true summit, but was near the W edge of the summit area, making it perhaps the best seat in the house as far as views were concerned.<\/p>\n

Lupe and SPHP headed over to the ridge where the fourth high point was located to take a look and have a break.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog rested comfortably on a small cushion of vegetation next to the rocks.\u00a0 Looper eagerly accepted water and Taste of the Wild.\u00a0 Meanwhile, SPHP gazed out upon the splendid scenes in all directions.<\/p>\n

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The awesome panorama to the W. Taiya Peak<\/strong> is on the L. The valley on the R drains into Bryant Lake (not pictured). Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Taiya Peak (6,844 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (2,086 m) (L). Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Possibly the Skagway High Point<\/span><\/a> (8,329 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (far L) and Mount Van Wagenen<\/span><\/a> (7,041 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (far R). Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Skagway High Point<\/strong> (far L)? The rounded glacier in the foreground is on the NW slopes of Taiya Peak. Photo looks W with lots of help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Loopster fuels up on Taste of the Wild while relaxing next to some of the highest rocks along the W side of Fraser Peak’s summit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A spectacular look at the mountains S of the International Falls trail (which is below the far side of the big ridge in the foreground) where Lupe had been only yesterday. The higher L peak of the two closest sharp peaks at Center is Feather Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,889 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>. The highest peak on the L is Mount Carmack<\/span><\/a> (6,808 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>. The high point on the R is Mount Cleveland<\/span><\/a> (6,362 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>. All of these mountains are across the border in Alaska. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It had taken a long time to climb Fraser Peak.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP lingered at the summit for over an hour.\u00a0 Loop appreciated both the extended break and the views.\u00a0 She was quite content taking it easy, or following SPHP around the summit looking first one direction then another.<\/p>\n

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The mountains N of Fraser Peak<\/strong> all had far less snow on them than the ones to the S, which were closer to the ocean. The S end of Bennett Lake<\/strong> is seen in the distance. The high peak next to it on the R is likely Paddy Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,238 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The very S end of Summit Lake<\/strong> and White Pass<\/strong> are seen below on the R. Photo looks S with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking SSE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Precious minutes flew by.\u00a0 Sadly, the moment arrived when the sun said Lupe needed to move on.\u00a0 One last look at that glorious view to the W.<\/p>\n

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Looking W from Fraser Peak<\/strong>. Taiya Peak<\/strong> on the L.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was too grand to simply depart.\u00a0 Would Loop like to go back to the true summit again?\u00a0 She would!\u00a0 A delaying tactic, but it still led to a sublime moment.<\/p>\n

Conditions had been perfect.\u00a0 This had been a truly glorious day and mountain.\u00a0 And now, for the last time, Lupe stood perched high at the true summit of Fraser Peak.\u00a0 Mighty, frozen treasures of the Canadian and Alaskan wilderness were on display beyond her.<\/p>\n

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Once again at the true summit of wonderful Fraser Peak<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A sublime moment.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Done.\u00a0 Puppy, ho!\u00a0 Onward.<\/p>\n

The Most High Exalted Dingo of the Arctic Sisterhood leapt down off the summit rock.\u00a0 Better get a move on.\u00a0 It would take SPHP forever and a day to carefully scramble back down that steep upper NE ridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Still on top of Fraser Peak<\/strong>, but starting back. A fair amount of the summit area is in view here. The totem pole can be seen at Center to the L of Lupe’s tail. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the lowest end of the summit area at the top of the NE ridge, Lupe paused.\u00a0 Looking back, she could see that odd Santa Claus at the top of the totem pole.\u00a0 SPHP looked down the dizzying NE ridge.\u00a0 Yowser!\u00a0 If it had seemed steep on the way up, it looked incredible staring down upon it from way up here.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe pauses at the top of the steep NE ridge. Part of Bryant Lake<\/strong> is seen below. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe bid farewell to the odd Santa Claus at the top of the totem pole on Fraser Peak<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Of course, Lupe had hardly started down, when SPHP had to face the narrow rock bridge for a second time.\u00a0 Having done it once already, it now seemed less intimidating.\u00a0 Still a place for caution, but SPHP barely hesitated before quickly striding across.\u00a0 Loop was over it in a flash, too.\u00a0 The long, slow descent of the upper NE ridge began.<\/p>\n

Lupe hadn’t paid much attention to Bryant Lake on the way up.\u00a0 It had been out of sight until she was climbing the upper NE ridge, and then she had been facing the wrong direction.\u00a0 On the way down, though, she was facing it.\u00a0 Loop had plenty of time to study the lake while SPHP ever so slowly, bit by bit, carefully worked down the ridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Bryant Lake partially in view on the way down the NE ridge. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A less obstructed look from farther down the ridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

An awful lot of time had gone by when Lupe and SPHP finally reached the start of the gashes along the ridgeline.\u00a0 The sun would still be up for a little while longer, but Loop was now in the shadow of the mountain.\u00a0 Even this far down, the middle part of the long ridge seemed much steeper and the gashes much deeper than SPHP remembered.<\/p>\n

Lupe was now having a grand time, though.\u00a0 She was back where there was some vegetation.\u00a0 She raced up and down, all around, sniffing here, there, everywhere, among rocks and ridges, tarns and snow banks.\u00a0 She was often far, far ahead of SPHP.\u00a0 Lost from sight, she would suddenly reappear in another direction, still running and sniffing.\u00a0 From time to time, she returned happy and breathless to SPHP.<\/p>\n

The terrain looked different going down.\u00a0 SPHP had a hard time recognizing which gash Lupe needed to go down to get off the ridge.\u00a0 The sun had set and light was beginning to fade by the time SPHP guessed and committed to a long gash full of rock and boulder fields.<\/p>\n

By now, the Most High Exalted Dingo of the Arctic Sisterhood was out of gas.\u00a0 Three long days of adventures in a row and the Carolina Dog had shot her wad.\u00a0 Loopster begged SPHP to stop and rest.\u00a0 SPHP complied, but never for more than a minute or two.\u00a0 It was going to be dark soon.\u00a0 Being stuck way up here among steep boulder fields was not in the plan.<\/p>\n

Happily, the chosen gash was the correct one.\u00a0 There was that snow bank again.\u00a0 Lupe finally made it off Fraser Peak’s NE ridge.\u00a0 She got soaking wet and cold fording the creek instead of using her Dingo bridge.\u00a0 On the road passing through the forest in near darkness, SPHP sang badly (a special talent) to ward off bears.\u00a0 No bear dared take on that racket.\u00a0 After reaching the gate, Loop took the side trail which SPHP believed was a shortcut back to the highway.<\/p>\n

It was!\u00a0 The side trail became a road.\u00a0 Sure enough, it led Lupe back to the highway only 100 meters N of the pullout where the G6 sat all alone waiting for her return.\u00a0 (11:12 PM)<\/em><\/p>\n

Alpo, water, dinner, lights out.\u00a0 Fraser Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,978 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> had been such a fabulous day!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On Fraser Peak<\/strong>, British Columbia, Canada 8-9-17<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Trailhead Notes:<\/strong> The trailhead for Fraser Peak is the second big pullout 1 km (0.6 mile) S of Canadian Customs on the E side of South Klondike Highway No. 2.\u00a0 (The highway from Carcross to Skagway)\u00a0 There are no signs, information or facilities on site.<\/em><\/p>\n

The most direct 0.6 km (0.4 mile) long road to the gate at the connecting road leading to Fraser Peak is only 100 meters N of this pullout back toward Canadian Customs on the opposite side of the highway.\u00a0 Look carefully and it’s not hard to find.\u00a0 Loop and SPHP missed it, because trees and bushes have grown up sufficiently to hide this road from the highway.\u00a0 Vehicle traffic is blocked at the start by several large boulders.<\/em><\/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 10 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska! Something was still wrong.\u00a0 The road Lupe had been following from the gravel pit went only a short distance before ending at a shack in an impenetrably dense forest.\u00a0 This couldn’t possibly be right.\u00a0 If it was, the forest had grown up to … Continue reading Fraser Peak, British Columbia, Canada (8-9-17)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13317,"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":[8,105,79,30,106,26,909,104,11],"class_list":["post-13326","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-fraser-peak","tag-lupe","tag-peakbagging"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/IMG_6389.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\/13326","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=13326"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13326\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16362,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13326\/revisions\/16362"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13317"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13326"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13326"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13326"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}