{"id":21477,"date":"2019-05-15T08:10:47","date_gmt":"2019-05-15T14:10:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=21477"},"modified":"2019-05-19T09:31:45","modified_gmt":"2019-05-19T15:31:45","slug":"peak-5262-tombstone-territorial-park-yukon-territory-canada-8-22-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=21477","title":{"rendered":"Peak 5262, Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon Territory, Canada (8-22-18)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 19 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon, Northwest Territories & Alaska!<\/em><\/p>\n

8-21-18, 10:44 PM, 32\u00b0F<\/em> – Wind and cold rain continued, as Lupe and SPHP left Eagle Plains ahead of the expected blizzard.\u00a0 Within the first 10 minutes, two vehicles came the opposite direction, still heading N on the Dempster Highway, on the verge of reaching the safety of Eagle Plains.\u00a0 After that, there was no traffic at all.\u00a0 For more than half an hour, the G6 splashed on through countless puddles as the rain came down.\u00a0 Outside, the temperature never varied.\u00a0 Always 32\u00b0F.\"\"<\/a>11:30 PM, 32\u00b0F<\/em> – The dreaded blizzard had arrived!\u00a0 Snowing hard, but not sticking to the road yet.\u00a0 The blowing snow was difficult to stare into, a confusing, ever-changing, pattern of bright white streaks in the headlights against a black as deep as any stormy night anywhere.<\/p>\n

Soon snow was clinging to bushes along the highway.\u00a0 Accumulations of slush started heaping up along the shoulders.\u00a0 Great sprays of water sent up from potholes sometimes inundated the windshield, momentarily blocking all view of the road before the wipers swept the water away.<\/p>\n

Slush spread across the entire road, then turned white.\u00a0 On all the uphill sections, of which there were many, the traction control warning light started coming on, although the G6 didn’t seem to be slipping too badly yet.\u00a0 Only a matter of time, though, if the storm continued to rage.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the G6 plowed along at a fairly steady 25 to 30 mph.\u00a0 The highway wound up, down, and all around one unseen hill after another.\u00a0 Fuel economy plunged as the G6 battled increasing accumulations of snow and slush.\u00a0 Maintaining speed on the uphill runs started to become difficult.<\/p>\n

Afraid of how soft the shoulders must be, SPHP drove down the middle of the road.\u00a0 Virtually nothing could be seen alongside the highway now.\u00a0 As the snow deepened, SPHP started having a hard time telling where the road even was.\u00a0 Reflective km markers showed up well, but far too infrequently to be of assistance.<\/p>\n

Sooner or later, the G6 wasn’t going to make it up one of these hills.\u00a0 The prospect of getting stuck in the the blinding snowstorm in the middle of the Dempster Highway in the dead of the night was terrifying.\u00a0 However, SPHP saw no pullouts where it would be possible to safely get off the road.\u00a0 Leaving the highway wouldn’t be all that wonderful, either.\u00a0 No doubt, it would mean being hopelessly snowed-in within no time.<\/p>\n

The situation was becoming dire.\u00a0 Should have stayed at Eagle Plains!\u00a0 Days ago on the way N, Lupe had stopped at a huge pullout at Ogilvie Ridge.\u00a0 If the G6 could make it that far, Ogilvie Ridge would at least be a safe place to get off the highway.\u00a0 In this blizzard, though, SPHP wasn’t sure it would even be possible to recognize the pullout.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, there was movement!\u00a0 A dimly perceived patchwork of light and dark was moving in the same direction as the G6 on the L side of the road.\u00a0 SPHP caught only a glimpse of it, as the G6 went by.\u00a0 A huge ghost of a moose!\u00a0 The American Dingo hadn’t seen a thing.\u00a0 For miles she had been trying to snooze as the G6 bumped, slipped, and lurched along.<\/p>\n

8-22-18, 1:30 AM<\/em> – Doomed!\u00a0 Heavy snow.\u00a0 Blizzard conditions.\u00a0 A wild wind was whipping the fast accumulating snow into drifts forming on the road.\u00a0 Huge snowflakes were a blinding white.\u00a0 Everything else was pitch black.\u00a0 Navigation was by long poles with reflectors on them that had fortuitously appeared on the L side of the nearly invisible highway a short time ago.<\/p>\n

Would have been stuck already, if it hadn’t been for one thing.\u00a0 There didn’t seem to be any more uphill sections.\u00a0 For what couldn’t be much longer, the G6 was still moving.\u00a0 Inside, the Carolina Dog was snoozing peacefully, blissfully unaware of the storm.<\/p>\n

1:50 AM<\/em> –\u00a0 70 to 75 miles S of Eagle Plains, SPHP caught a glimpse of a pullout on the L.\u00a0 Passed right on by it before even realizing what it was.\u00a0 That might have been Ogilvie Ridge!\u00a0 The road began dropping steadily, even steeply.\u00a0 Yeah, that confirmed it!\u00a0 This was Seven Mile hill!<\/p>\n

No going back now, but maybe it didn’t matter?\u00a0 As the G6 lost elevation, conditions were rapidly improving.<\/p>\n

2:00 AM<\/em> –\u00a0 Luck of the Dingo!\u00a0 Amazing!\u00a0 Drove out of it!\u00a0 Heavy snow was now only a moderate rain.\u00a0 34\u00b0F!\u00a0 Down in the Ogilvie River valley, the Dempster Highway was sloppy wet, but snow-free.\u00a0 The G6 bounced along through potholes sending up sprays of water as before.\u00a0 Passed a rest area at Davies Creek, but didn’t stop.\u00a0 Windy Pass and North Fork Pass are still ahead.<\/p>\n

The rain tapered off before reaching the bridge over the Ogilvie River, but soon after crossing it, the snow started in again on the long approach to Windy Pass.\u00a0 The adrenaline rush of the white-knuckle drive prior to Ogilvie Ridge was fading.\u00a0 The weather this far S was no where near as bad as it had been earlier.\u00a0 Not snowing that hard.\u00a0 Starting to seem like things are actually under control.<\/p>\n

2:56 AM<\/em> – A huge, level, snow-free pullout had appeared on the R.\u00a0 Likely a road maintenance area.\u00a0 Whatever.\u00a0 Hadn’t made it to Windy Pass yet, but SPHP was weary.\u00a0 The crisis seemed to be over.\u00a0 Time to join Lupe in Dingo Dreamland!<\/p>\n

9:36 AM, 32\u00b0F<\/em> – A certain well-rested Dingo wanted out.\u00a0 Fine, fine!\u00a0 SPHP let her go.\u00a0 Blizzard?\u00a0 What blizzard?\u00a0 No snow here!\u00a0 Sure enough, Lupe was at a highway maintenance area somewhere close to km 171 on the W side of the Dempster Highway.\u00a0 Any snow that had fallen here last night had all melted as it hit.<\/p>\n

Still no telling what Lupe might find up at Windy Pass, though.\u00a0 Might be tons of snow up there?\u00a0 Couldn’t see a thing down here, except the usual fog and mist of the far N.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Had the blizzard been only a bad dream? Despite all the snow she’d seen before falling asleep, Lupe woke up to a snow-free world at a road maintenance area near km 171 of the Dempster Highway.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Another day, another foggy start. Seems like that happens a lot in the Yukon. Of course, the way things had been going last night, it could have been worse. Much worse!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

10:01 AM, Windy Pass, km 152.8<\/em> – The crisis actually was over.\u00a0 Lupe had been less than 20 km from Windy Pass.\u00a0 She arrived to find more fog and mist, but no snow, even up here.\u00a0 The big ridges S of the pass leading to Windy Pass Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,249 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Peak<\/span> 5906<\/span><\/a><\/strong> were a little white, but that was it.<\/p>\n

Maybe a blizzard was still raging up at Eagle Plains and the Arctic Circle, but the Most High Exalted Dingo of the Arctic Sisterhood had managed a successful escape!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Back at Windy Pass where Lupe had enjoyed such a great day on her exploration of Windy Pass Peak, Distincta Peak & Peak 5906 on the way N. The peaks were all hidden by fog this morning, but there was almost no snow. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe resumed her snooze at Windy Pass, while SPHP straightened up the G6, cleaned windows, and dealt with a few technical issues.\u00a0 Then the journey S continued.\u00a0 What to do next wasn’t entirely clear.\u00a0 The mist ended, and fog was decreasing as the cloud cover began to lift, but the mountain peaks were still hidden.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading up the Blackstone River valley<\/strong> SE of Windy Pass. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1:36 PM, 40\u00b0F<\/em> – Lupe and SPHP stopped at the two-tier pullout on the E side of the Dempster Highway SE of Surfbird Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,300 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 This was a favorite spot, discovered in 2017, where there was a stream and a bubbling pond.<\/p>\n

Lunch time!\u00a0 Chili and chocolate coconut bars were on the menu.\u00a0 The American Dingo kindly helped out with both, displaying considerable enthusiasm for the project.\u00a0 Afterwards, she explored among the bushes, and chased tennis balls SPHP threw for her.<\/p>\n

SPHP pondered the situation.\u00a0 Should Loop go on to Dawson City?\u00a0 She still had more mountains to climb here in Tombstone Territorial Park<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, but as is so often the case, once again most of the Ogilvie Range was in the clouds.\u00a0 Surfbird Mountain wasn’t, but Lupe had climbed Surfbird last year.<\/p>\n

Maybe it made sense to give Peak <\/strong><\/span>5262<\/strong><\/span><\/a> another shot?\u00a0 Stymied by bogs when Lupe had tried it on the way N nearly a week ago, she hadn’t even made it to the base of the mountain.\u00a0 However, it had looked like she might have been successful, if only SPHP had led her to the next ridge N instead of the way she’d actually gone.<\/p>\n

Peak 5262 was back N, but only a dozen km.\u00a0 The mountain sat isolated out beyond the rest of the Ogilvie Range.\u00a0 The sky was looking better in that direction.\u00a0 If Peak 5262 worked out today, conditions might improve enough so Lupe could climb higher peaks around here tomorrow?<\/p>\n

3:09 PM, 39\u00b0F, Blackstone River rest stop at km 107.6<\/em> – Yeah, coming back for another attempt on Peak 5262 made sense.\u00a0 It was too late in the day, and the weather wasn’t cooperative enough, to doing anything else.\u00a0 The only other option would have been to keep driving, and the Carolina Dog was sick of being cooped up in the G6.\u00a0 SPHP parked at the now familiar rest stop along the East Blackstone River.<\/p>\n

The weather was improving as Lupe set out for a second attempt on Peak<\/span> 5262<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 This time, SPHP had her go N along the Dempster Highway far enough to get past all the streams preventing access to the second ridge W of the road.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
W of the Dempster Highway starting for Peak 5262<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Even though the second ridge was a bit higher than the first one, it still wasn’t very high.\u00a0 Lupe was soon up on top.\u00a0 From her prior experience with the first ridge, she knew what to expect next.\u00a0 A long, beautiful, but far more wearying march toward Peak 5262 than a nearly imperceptible slope merited.<\/p>\n

The top of the ridge was a vast plain of spongy, tussocky tundra.\u00a0 On the way W, Lupe sought out minor highs points which might provide firmer footing.\u00a0 She came to one drainage that forced her to make a detour to the N.\u00a0 Although the top of the ridge looked flat as a pancake, it was anything but.\u00a0 Endless, unstable tussocks surrounded by holes made every step an adventure.<\/p>\n

The American Dingo persevered, though, making steady progress.\u00a0 Blue sky was beginning to appear!\u00a0 This was turning into a fantastic day!\u00a0 Having seen the lay of the land once before, SPHP was buoyed by hope that Lupe would enjoy success this time around.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Maybe we’re going to make it this time? Looking good so far!<\/em> Photo looks W with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The critical point of the journey came as Lupe drew near the W end of the ridge.\u00a0 Once she had made it far enough to see the broad saddle area between this low ridge and the base of Peak 5262, it became clear that she needed to go NW staying up on the high ground along the edge as long as possible before dropping down to the saddle.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Getting close to the W end of this ridge now.<\/em> Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Close to the far NW end of the low ridge. The plan is to head for Peak 5262’s long NE ridge seen beyond Lupe. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A pond near the W end of the ridge Lupe has been traveling. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Upon dropping down to the saddle, Lupe discovered small streams and bogs no matter which way she went.\u00a0 SPHP tussock-hopped past the first bog and small stream, while Lupe simply waded through.<\/p>\n

However, getting through all the bogs wasn’t as easy as it seemed.\u00a0 Even after crossing the broad saddle, Lupe kept coming to more drainages and bogs as the terrain started sloping up again toward the base of Peak 5262.\u00a0 Luckily, none proved to be insurmountable obstacles.<\/p>\n

Peak 5262 was just a big hill!\u00a0 Surely the American Dingo was going to make it now!\u00a0 As Looper worked her way up an increasingly steep slope toward Peak 5262’s NE ridge, confidence soared.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the tundra, beyond the worst of the wetlands. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking E back in the direction Lupe had come from. The high point at the NW end of the first ridge she had been on is the minor rise (Center) just beyond the foreground.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The NE ridge was still quite a march away.\u00a0 Lupe kept having to dodge bogs, drainages, and unexpected holes full of water.\u00a0 The tundra dried out to a degree as the climb steepened, but remained spongy, requiring significant effort.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The beautiful tundra, already sporting fall colors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe climbed and climbed.\u00a0 Though the terrain wasn’t all that steep, it was exhausting work.\u00a0 SPHP kept hoping the tundra would give way to rockier ground, but for a very long way it didn’t.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog came to a number of high points, but each time hopes that she had reached the NE ridgeline were dashed.<\/p>\n

Finally, lanes of firmer ground did appear.\u00a0 These lanes had a base of very small rocks, the first rocks Lupe had come to on the entire journey thus far.\u00a0 Low red and gray-green vegetation grew on the rockier terrain, looking just like what Loop had seen a year ago in Alaska when she’d gone on her Stroll to the North Slope Knoll<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

The narrow lanes of firmer ground helped tremendously.\u00a0 SPHP was able to quicken the pace significantly.\u00a0 Soon Lupe really was up on the NE ridgeline.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5262 as Lupe nears the NE ridgeline. The backpack sits on the shorter vegetation of the rockier ground. Staying to the R of the drainage seen ahead, Lupe ultimately climbed to the high point directly beyond her from the R. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP had expected plenty of rockier terrain up on the NE ridgeline, but that wasn’t what Lupe found.\u00a0 In fact, the ridgeline wasn’t much of a line at all.\u00a0 Ahead was a very broad and steeper slope, comprised almost entirely of more deep, spongy tundra.<\/p>\n

Peak 5262 had a lovely dusting of snow on top.\u00a0 The colors of the tundra below were absolutely gorgeous.\u00a0 However, it was now clear that Lupe wasn’t going to reach any significantly firmer ground until she got way up on Peak 5262’s steepest slopes near the summit.<\/p>\n

Having anticipated an easier time on a rocky ridgeline, the trudge higher actually began as a tougher march than before.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking back down the NE ridge. Chapman Lake<\/strong> is on the L. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No turning back now, though!\u00a0 Onward!<\/p>\n

Up ahead, a long line of bushes grew along a drainage.\u00a0 Lupe stayed to the R (NW) of it.\u00a0 However, this drainage split into two separate courses higher up.\u00a0 Lupe had to cross the smaller channel to the W.\u00a0 Happily, the smaller channel turned out to be dry, and not a problem.\u00a0 From then on, there were no real obstacles.\u00a0 Lupe angled SW toward a high, short ridge to the W, and upon reaching it, completed her ascent by switchbacking up the N face of the mountain.<\/p>\n

Even the upper slopes of Peak<\/span> 5262<\/span><\/a><\/strong> turned out not to be rocky, but at least the tundra wasn’t as thick.\u00a0 Peak 5262 had another surprise in store for Lupe, too.\u00a0 The dusting of snow near the top of the mountain wasn’t snow at all.\u00a0 Apparently last night’s blizzard had been an ice storm here.\u00a0 Freezing rain had coated the tundra with an amazing display of ice.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Where Lupe first reached the ice-encrusted tundra, the ice was melting. Higher up that wasn’t the case.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
About to start up the N face of Peak 5262. Lupe is already quite high on the mountain. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
An icy display. Far more magnificent specimens were higher up.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking down on the Blackstone River valley<\/strong>. Chapman Lake<\/strong> on the R. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Getting there! Last push to the top is dead ahead. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
An icy wonderland.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The top of Peak 5262 is rounded.\u00a0 Lupe arrived upon a summit area acres in size.\u00a0 The true summit was W of where the Carolina Dog came up, and was quite easy to spot.\u00a0 Not far from the N edge sat a short ridge resembling a marvelously bejeweled mini-pingo.\u00a0 This little summit ridge was only a few feet higher than the rest of the mountain.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The terrain begins leveling out as Lupe reaches a vast summit region. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The true summit (Center) comes into view. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe reaches the wonderfully ice-encrusted true summit of Peak 5262<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the beautifully decorated true summit. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe on Peak 5262<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When Lupe had first reached the NE ridge, large regions of blue sky had been expanding to the N.\u00a0 For a short while the Carolina Dog had been in sunshine.\u00a0 Now, though, the weather was clearly deteriorating.\u00a0 Couldn’t have been any more than 32\u00b0F.\u00a0 The incredible crystalline icy display was not melting up here.\u00a0 The slight N breeze felt cold.<\/p>\n

Views from isolated, remote Peak 5262 were tremendous!\u00a0 Higher peaks were in the distance in many directions, but their summits were lost in clouds that already covered the whole sky.\u00a0 Fog was spreading to the S, although Surfbird Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,300 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was still in sight.<\/p>\n

To celebrate Loopster’s peakbagging success, SPHP shared 3 chocolate coconut bars with her.\u00a0 They were frozen so stiffly that it was hard to break off chunks.<\/p>\n

High atop Peak<\/span> 5262<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, the darkening sky, cold breeze, and surrounding vast, desolate solitude produced a sudden sense of gloom and danger.\u00a0 It was absolutely incredible up here, yet SPHP grew uneasy.\u00a0 Lupe was a long way from the G6.\u00a0 Mountains were disappearing from the horizon.\u00a0 The cloud cover seemed to be closing in.\u00a0 If the morning’s fog returned, it would be easy to get lost.<\/p>\n

Would have been fun to have the luxury of letting a sublime hour or two go by up on Peak 5262, but it didn’t seem like Lupe could afford to linger up here too long.\u00a0 Might as well have a quick look around, though.\u00a0 Loop ventured out to the far W end of the summit area.\u00a0 The Blackstone River was in view, even if the mountains weren’t.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The Blackstone River<\/strong> from the W edge of Peak 5262. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking SW up the Blackstone River valley<\/strong> with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
View to the W with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The top of Peak 5262<\/strong> from the W edge. The true summit is the little rise seen directly beyond Lupe. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The scenes were all impressively forlorn and desolate, but the clouds weren’t an awful lot higher than Peak 5262 now.\u00a0 Lupe returned to the true summit for another brief stay and final look around.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Near the true summit (L) again. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Gorgeous now, but it wouldn’t have been much fun to have been up here last night!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The Blackstone River valley<\/strong> from the N edge of Peak 5262. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Chapman Lake<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the return, Lupe varied the first part of her route.\u00a0 Instead of going back down the steep N face, she followed the E ridge, which provided a more gradual descent.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Starting down, but still along the N edge. Lupe had originally come up the rather steep slope beyond her from the L. Chapman Lake<\/strong> is on the L. Lomond Lake<\/strong> is far away on the R. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe began her descent going down the E ridge (R). Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lomond Lake<\/strong> (Center) in the distance. The flat ridge Lupe had started out on is the slightly higher ground just L of the ponds on the R. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the E ridge. The G6 is parked down by the river just about straight beyond Lupe. Photo looks E with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As soon as the American Dingo realized that she was actually on her way down, she became quite energized.\u00a0 Lupe ran and ran!\u00a0 She sniffed and explored, displaying great stamina and enthusiasm.\u00a0 The descent was a lot easier.\u00a0 SPHP made much faster progress.\u00a0 The spongy tundra merely served as a cushion, instead of an impediment.\u00a0 From above, SPHP was better at picking out drier, more efficient routes.<\/p>\n

The E ridge soon curved NE creating a bowl to the W.\u00a0 This bowl was the origin of the last two drainages Lupe had come to on the way up.\u00a0 To get back to the lower portion of the NE ridge, SPHP led Loop down into the bowl so she could stay far enough W to bypass the deeper drainage.\u00a0 By the time Lupe made it to the lower end of the bowl, she had picked up her former route.<\/p>\n

The long march still ahead was merely a retracement of what had been done before.\u00a0 Lupe eventually turned ESE, leaving the NE ridgeline.\u00a0 As the slope decreased, the labor of traveling the tussocky tundra returned.\u00a0 Back to dodging bogs, streams, and wet holes.<\/p>\n

Despite the effort required, the return was a beautiful time.\u00a0 Lupe was happy, roaming free in an unspoiled world.\u00a0 SPHP was thrilled she had finally made it to Peak 5262!\u00a0 The sky remained overcast, but it wasn’t nearly so cold out as it had been back up on the mountain.\u00a0 The brooding clouds never came down far enough to threaten the lowlands with fog.<\/p>\n

Though always challenging to move through, the tundra was amazing.\u00a0 Pristine beauty in all directions, including at one’s paws or feet.\u00a0 Lupe discovered a pink blossom so rare no others like it had been seen on the whole long journey.\u00a0 She found an ancient caribou antler, and learned that even excellent dental health isn’t everything.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
One in a zillion! A rare pink blossom like no other Lupe had seen on the entire journey.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Roaming free on the way back.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Dental health is important, but it isn’t everything. Someone died with perfect teeth!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The morning’s mist and fog hadn’t held much promise, but Lupe’s ascent of lonely Peak 5262 had been a marvelous journey and sweet success!\u00a0 (9:38 PM, 33\u00b0F)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On Peak 5262<\/strong>, Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon Territory, Canada 8-22-18<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

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

Tombstone Territorial Park Map<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

The Dempster Highway Travelogue<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Surfbird Mountain, Ogilvie Range, Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon Territory, Canada (9-4-17)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

W<\/em><\/span>ant more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose\u00a0from\u00a0Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon, Northwest Territories & Alaska Adventure Inde<\/strong>x<\/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 19 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon, Northwest Territories & Alaska! 8-21-18, 10:44 PM, 32\u00b0F – Wind and cold rain continued, as Lupe and SPHP left Eagle Plains ahead of the expected blizzard.\u00a0 Within the first 10 minutes, two vehicles came the opposite direction, still heading N on the Dempster Highway, on … Continue reading Peak 5262, Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon Territory, Canada (8-22-18)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":21448,"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":[997],"tags":[105,30,106,1083,26,104,1085,11,964,774],"class_list":["post-21477","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2018-yukon-northwest-territiories-alaska","tag-american-dingo","tag-canada","tag-carolina-dog","tag-dempster-highway","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-lupe","tag-peak-5262","tag-peakbagging","tag-tombstone-territorial-park","tag-yukon-territory"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/IMG_1109.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\/21477","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=21477"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21477\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23304,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21477\/revisions\/23304"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/21448"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=21477"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=21477"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=21477"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}