{"id":25563,"date":"2020-01-22T08:10:14","date_gmt":"2020-01-22T15:10:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=25563"},"modified":"2020-06-08T20:47:30","modified_gmt":"2020-06-09T02:47:30","slug":"yukon-bound-getting-nowhere-on-the-long-road-north","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=25563","title":{"rendered":"Yukon Bound! – Getting Nowhere on the Long Road North (8-8-19 to 8-10-19)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Days 4-6 of Lupe’s 2019 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska!<\/em><\/p>\n

8-8-19<\/strong>, dawn, Yellowhead Hwy No. 16 W of Jasper<\/em> – Uh-oh.\u00a0 Warning!\u00a0 Dingo triggering event ahead!\u00a0 Not another soul on the road yet, but SPHP had to brake.\u00a0 One of those portable temporary stoplights for road construction had just turned red.\u00a0 Lupe stared in disbelief, her eyes growing big as saucers as she began to realize what she was coming to.\u00a0 Her hackles rose.\u00a0 SPHP completely shut the windows on her side of the G6.\u00a0 Here it comes!<\/p>\n

The G6 exploded with noise, as Looper sprang into action.\u00a0 A full-fledged 5 alarm, frothing at the mouth, barking frenzy was underway!\u00a0 The American Dingo bounded up and down, back and forth, whacking her head against the windshield, nose smearing against the side window, decibel level as high and shrill as she could possibly maintain it.<\/p>\n

Egads!\u00a0 Turn green for pity sake!\u00a0 The stoplight remained a stubborn cherry red.\u00a0 15 feet outside Lupe’s window a magnificent bull elk looked up momentarily.\u00a0 What was all that racket?\u00a0 Whatever it was all about, the elk decided it didn’t concern him, and went back to casually munching whatever it was he was munching.<\/p>\n

A mile later, sides still heaving, Lupe gasped.<\/p>\n

What is the matter with you, SPHP?\u00a0 It takes a thermonuclear device to get your attention!\u00a0 An enormous giant deer was frozen in place right there outside the G6!\u00a0 Easy pickings!\u00a0 We could have been feasting on fresh, warm, bloody venison right now!\u00a0 Don’t tell me you didn’t see it!<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, I saw it alright, beyond a brown and white blur!\u00a0 How could I not see it with you about to bust a gut for 10 solid minutes?\u00a0 I thought that light would never turn green.\u00a0 We are in a Canadian National Park, Loop.\u00a0 I’m reasonably certain park officials would frown upon us devouring a freshly killed elk right next to the highway.\u00a0 Besides, what makes you think it would be that easy?\u00a0 That giant deer must have outweighed you 50 to 1!<\/em><\/p>\n

You would have helped me, wouldn’t you, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Of course.\u00a0 I could use a few years free room and board courtesy of the Canadian government.\u00a0 Shudder to think what might become of you, though, Loop.<\/em><\/p>\n

Tangle Ridge had been a grand success yesterday, but over 3,800 feet of elevation gain had taken a toll.\u00a0 The giant deer frenzy must have sucked up whatever energy the Carolina Dog had recovered overnight.\u00a0 Yukon bound, the day turned into a relaxing road trip.\u00a0 Serenity returned as Loopster took to snoozing on her pink blankie.<\/p>\n

That didn’t mean there couldn’t be a few stops at favorite places.\u00a0 Still needed to stretch now and then to keep the blood circulating.<\/p>\n

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Overlander Falls<\/strong>, Mount Robson Provincial Park, British Columbia.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Rearguard Falls<\/strong>, Rearguard Falls Provincial Park, British Columbia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Rearguard Falls<\/strong> on the Fraser River<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Exploring near the Goat River<\/strong> rest stop.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The whole day got spent cruising NW on Yellowhead Hwy No. 16, all of it in British Columbia after crossing the border from Alberta early on.\u00a0 Shortly before reaching Fort Fraser, a tall plume of black smoke came into view on Lupe’s side of the highway.\u00a0 Traffic was backed up ahead.<\/p>\n

Turned out to be a badly burnt out vehicle.\u00a0 Spontaneous combustion?\u00a0 Didn’t seem to be the result of a collision.\u00a0 By the time Lupe went by, the fire department had already put out the fire.<\/p>\n

Sure hope the ole’ G6 doesn’t get any ideas, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, that’ll be us someday, Looper.\u00a0 We’re bailing, though, at the first sign of trouble.\u00a0 If you ever sniff smoke, let me know right away.<\/em><\/p>\n

Like that would help!\u00a0 I’m not expecting any rapid response miracles out of you, SPHP, after that giant deer episode.<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, warn me anyway.\u00a0 I’m likely to be more excitable, if the G6 threatens to burst into flames.<\/em><\/p>\n

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At the Dry Williams Lake<\/strong> rest stop. A year ago forest fires had rained ash on the G6 here.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By late afternoon, Lupe was at Steelhead Park in Houston.\u00a0 Small, but exquisitely maintained.\u00a0 Sniffing the fragrant blossoms of all the colorful flowers was pure delight!\u00a0 Looper paid homage to the Dingo god, too.<\/p>\n

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Steelhead Park<\/strong> in Houston is always such a lovely break!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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By the Steelhead fountain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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So why doesn’t our yard look like this, SPHP? … Something to do with a brown thumb, Loop!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The air sniffs so good here!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Paying respects to the Dingo god.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

8-8-19<\/strong>, 5:45 PM, Smithers, British Columbia<\/em> – The long drive was over for now.\u00a0 Lupe reached Smithers near the Babine Mountains with sufficient daylight remaining to explore the town.\u00a0 She visited the Bulkley River, then took a stroll down Main Street looking for the Sausage Factory<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 A year ago she had met the former owners, Fred and Teresa Reitsma, at Five Finger Rapids<\/strong><\/span><\/a> on the Yukon River.\u00a0 They’d been on their way to Dawson City.<\/p>\n

Fred and Teresa had invited Lupe to drop by the Sausage Factory, if she ever got to Smithers again.\u00a0 Now she was here, but too late!\u00a0 The Sausage Factory was closed for the day.\u00a0 Too bad.\u00a0 It looked like a ritzy place!\u00a0 The product line was of considerable interest to a famished American Dingo, too.\u00a0 Maybe Loop could return tomorrow?<\/p>\n

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By the Bulkley River<\/strong> in Smithers, British Columbia.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Outside the Sausage Factory<\/strong>, 1107 Main Street in Smithers, British Columbia.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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We’ll go in tomorrow, right, SPHP? … With any luck, Looper!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hudson Bay Mountain<\/span><\/a> (8,494 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was on the agenda tomorrow, a super prominent (5,000 ft.+) peak W of Smithers.\u00a0 Lupe wouldn’t be able to get to the true summit, which was a technical climb.\u00a0 The S summit wasn’t much lower, though, and was supposed to be accessible by a route that continued higher from Crater Lake.<\/p>\n

By sunset, Lupe was at the Crater Lake trailhead, high on Hudson Bay Mountain’s S flank.\u00a0 A gorgeous evening!\u00a0 Things were looking good!<\/p>\n

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Hudson Bay Mountain<\/strong> (L) from Astlais Mountain<\/strong><\/span><\/a> exactly one year earlier on 8-8-18.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

8-9-19<\/strong>, 6:58 AM, Hudson Bay Mountain, near the Crater Lake trailhead<\/em> – The Carolina Dog sniffed aimlessly around the G6.\u00a0 Fog and mist.\u00a0 Hardly an inspiring start to the day.\u00a0 It was what it was.\u00a0 Reality rules.\u00a0 No point in this.\u00a0 Oh, well.<\/p>\n

Down in Smithers a short while later, it was just an overcast day.\u00a0 Only the upper half of Hudson Bay Mountain was shrouded in clouds, but that was the half Lupe had hoped to visit.\u00a0 Some sort of front must have moved in overnight, nothing too dramatic, but enough to be a spoiler.\u00a0 Kind of a shame.\u00a0 Hudson Bay Mountain wasn’t the only candidate on Lupe’s list in this region.<\/p>\n

However, didn’t seem to be much sense in waiting around.\u00a0 The Yukon was still a long way.\u00a0 Somewhere skies were blue!\u00a0 Without even waiting for the Sausage Factory to open, Lupe was on her way again.<\/p>\n

20 minutes W of Smithers, SPHP drove into rain.\u00a0 20 minutes W of Seeley Lake, the long drive on Yellowhead Hwy No. 16 finally came to an end.\u00a0 Lupe was on her way N on Cassiar Hwy No. 37!\u00a0 The Alaska Highway in Yukon Territory was now only 724 km (450 miles)<\/em> away.\u00a0 The rain stopped 40 km later.\u00a0 At 60 km, a patch of blue sky was seen ahead.<\/p>\n

The weather improved as the G6 sped N.\u00a0 The scenery was gorgeous!\u00a0 Big lakes, mountains, and rivers, but Lupe seldom got a break from being cooped up.\u00a0 This was really wild territory, with hardly a trail anywhere as far as SPHP knew.\u00a0 Daunting.\u00a0 The only significant stop Lupe made was at the Stikine River, a favorite spot known to harbor squirrels in the forest near the riverbank.<\/p>\n

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Lunch break at the Bell 1 rest stop<\/strong> 117 km N of Meziadin Junction.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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At the Stikine River<\/strong>, looking upstream toward the Cassiar Hwy bridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking downstream. The Grand Canyon of the Stikine starts not far from here.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

8-9-19<\/strong>, 7:15 PM, Beaver Dam rest stop along Cassiar Hwy No. 37<\/em> – Only 75 km left to the Alaska Highway, but enough was enough.\u00a0 After a bite to eat, having spent practically the entire day on the road, Lupe finally got to do some exploring.\u00a0 N of the rest stop a dirt road curved slowly NW into the forest.\u00a0 Maybe it would lead to the beaver dam?\u00a0 None was in sight at the rest stop.<\/p>\n

A gentle 0.33 mile uphill stroll led to a bit of a drop into a little valley.\u00a0 No beaver dam.\u00a0 So far, SPHP had found only mosquitoes.\u00a0 Lupe was doing better.\u00a0 A couple of squirrels had come to her attention, and now to her enormous satisfaction, she came across a succession of mud puddles covering the entire road.\u00a0 The American Dingo plopped herself right down in each one, clearly enjoying lapping up murky mineral water, and that oh, so wild and natural feeling one gets from being absolutely filthy.<\/p>\n

Upon getting back to the Cassiar Hwy, SPHP picked as much trash out of the ditches as could be carried back to the rest stop for proper disposal.<\/p>\n

We’re doing something wrong, Loop, when a load of trash, and a dingy Dingo are the highlight of the day!<\/em><\/p>\n

8-10-19<\/strong>, 35\u00baF at the forest fire pond along Cassiar Hwy No. 37<\/em> –\u00a0 Chilly out, but at least the sky was blue!\u00a0 By the forest fire pond Lupe squinted into the brilliant glare of the morning sun.\u00a0 Going to be a great day!\u00a0 Another one on the road again, though.\u00a0 Lupe had already made a few tracks.\u00a0 This pond was what, a mere 30 km from the Yukon?<\/p>\n

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In the early morning sunlight by the forest fire pond.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

8:08 AM, 39\u00baF, Yukon border, Cassiar Hwy No. 37<\/em> – Two days of pent-up energy could be contained no longer.\u00a0 The were-puppy attacked as soon as SPHP stepped out of the G6.\u00a0 Leaping, growling, nipping, tugging, tearing – all the usual were-puppy tactics.<\/p>\n

You know, were-puppy, you are at least part of the reason I’m always in tatters!<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, you love it, SPHP!\u00a0 It’s all in good fun!<\/em><\/p>\n

For some of us.\u00a0 I notice you don’t ever come away turning yellow and green and purple and blue.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sorry ’bout that.\u00a0 Now and then I get carried away.<\/em><\/p>\n

Apology accepted, provided you let go of my pants without ripping them any further.\u00a0 How about a romp in the woods along the Yukon border?\u00a0 Might be a squirrel out there somewhere!<\/em><\/p>\n

A romp and a squirrel sounded good.\u00a0 After visiting the Yukon border sign, Lupe dashed off into the forest.\u00a0 A squirrel did materialize, making SPHP look like a genius.<\/p>\n

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Made it! At the Yukon Territory border<\/strong>!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Burning off some steam early on was a good thing.\u00a0 2 km N of the Yukon border Cassiar Hwy No. 37 came to an end.\u00a0 SPHP turned W (L) onto the Alaska Highway.\u00a0 Hours slipped by, the only significant stop being a now traditional one at Teslin Lake.<\/p>\n

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Teslin Lake<\/strong> – a traditional Lupe stop along the Alaska Highway.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Regional map posted at Teslin Lake.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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By Teslin Lake<\/strong>. Dawson Peaks<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By early afternoon, Lupe had left the Alaska Highway at Jake’s Corner, and was on her way back into British Columbia heading S on Hwy 7 to Atlin.\u00a0 A lunch stop was made on a bluff overlooking the N end of Atlin Lake and Mount Minto<\/span><\/a> (6,913 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Atlin Lake<\/strong> and Mount Minto<\/strong> (R) from a bluff Lupe discovered in 2018. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Atlin Lake is long and narrow.\u00a0 It was still quite a way to the town of Atlin on its E shore.\u00a0 Shortly before Loopster got there, SPHP spotted a couple of float planes on Como Lake, a small lake W of Hwy 7.\u00a0 Might be fun to go take a look.\u00a0 The American Dingo was all for it!<\/p>\n

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Checking out the float planes at Como Lake<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Oh, this does look like fun! We could go soaring over the mountains!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

None of the stops today had been terribly long.\u00a0 By mid-afternoon, Lupe was back in Atlin again!\u00a0 A year ago, she’d had a terrific time climbing Monarch Mountain<\/span><\/strong><\/a> SE of town.<\/p>\n

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At the Atlin marina, with Monarch Mountain<\/strong> in the background. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Being back in Atlin was exciting!\u00a0 Lupe went to the waterfront to see the gorgeous lake and the Tarahne<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, a century old excursion boat which had once upon a time brought tourists to Atlin.<\/p>\n

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Oh, it’s wonderful to be back at fabulous Atlin Lake<\/strong> again! And with big plans, too!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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By the Tarahne<\/strong>, which decades ago had brought tourists to Atlin.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Off to the SW was the reason Lupe was here.\u00a0 Across Atlin Lake near the far W shore was a large island.\u00a0 Teresa Island was dominated by a single massive mountain which occupied virtually the entire island.\u00a0 In 2018, Lupe had seen Birch Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,765 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, not only from Atlin, but also from Monarch Mountain<\/span><\/a> (4,728 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Birch Mountain<\/strong>, the whole reason Lupe had returned to Atlin. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For the past year, SPHP couldn’t help thinking that Birch Mountain had looked climbable from the N.\u00a0 Why, Lupe could do that!\u00a0 From the top there ought to be a fantastic view of the Llewellyn Glacier, which the Carolina Dog had glimpsed on the far horizon from Monarch Mountain.\u00a0 Birch Mountain had a peculiarity, too, which added to its overall appeal.\u00a0 With 1,393 meters (4,570 ft.)<\/em> of prominence, Birch Mountain was the 2nd most prominent lake island<\/strong><\/span><\/a> in the entire world!<\/p>\n

Until Lupe had run across Birch Mountain, it had never occurred to SPHP that she might be capable of summiting the 2nd best of any class of mountain in the whole world, yet here was an opportunity to do so in this remote NW corner of British Columbia, an area Lupe had been close to on her summer Dingo Vacations these past 3 years.\u00a0 The whole notion was so enticing!<\/p>\n

Beyond the usual weather considerations, 2 significant problems needed to be addressed.\u00a0 First, how to get over to Teresa Island?\u00a0 Second, how to get above tree line?\u00a0 The lower portions of the island looked densely forested.\u00a0 Was there a trail?\u00a0 If not, was the forest open enough to simply amble up through it without too much difficulty?\u00a0 If Looper could get above tree line, the upper regions of the mountain appeared to be quite manageable.\u00a0 SPHP was confident she could reach the summit.<\/p>\n

Time to get some answers!\u00a0 Across the street from the waterfront was a hotel.\u00a0 SPHP went in to see what might be learned, while Lupe waited in the G6.\u00a0 Hotel personnel directed SPHP to the Atlin Historical Society a few blocks away.\u00a0 The Historical Society turned out to be a museum.\u00a0 Inside, a couple of old ladies were busy answering tourist’s questions.<\/p>\n

So what did you find out, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Nothing yet, Loop.\u00a0 Didn’t even talk to them.\u00a0 Might be wrong, but I doubt they know anything at all about getting to Teresa Island or climbing Birch Mountain in there.<\/em><\/p>\n

What now, then?<\/em><\/p>\n

I think there was a sign when we came into town about kayak rentals.\u00a0 Not going to take on Atlin Lake in a kayak, but maybe they rent motor boats, too?\u00a0 Let’s go have a look.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sure enough, there was a sign.\u00a0 Glacier View Cabins, canoe and kayak rentals, 12 km on Warm Bay Road.<\/p>\n

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Glacier View Cabins seemed worth checking out.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Driving S on Warm Bay Road, SPHP saw no sign of Glacier View Cabins.\u00a0 After going an extra 2 miles, SPHP turned around.\u00a0 On the way back N, there it was!\u00a0 A sign was near a steep driveway on the E side of the road, away from Atlin Lake.\u00a0 SPHP drove up only as far as the first couple of cabins before parking the G6.\u00a0 Lupe hopped out.<\/p>\n

Nobody seemed to be around.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP trudged farther up the steep driveway.\u00a0 At the upper end, a home sat perched on a slope with a fabulous view of Atlin Lake and the Llewellyn Glacier.\u00a0 SPHP rang the doorbell.\u00a0 No answer.\u00a0 Knocking and ringing again didn’t help.\u00a0 On the verge of giving up, Lupe and SPHP were still standing next to the door, when suddenly a man appeared carrying a basket of laundry.<\/p>\n

Peter Sidler and his wife, Edith, who wasn’t home at the moment, own and operate Glacier View Cabins.\u00a0 Originally from Switzerland, Peter had been a resident of Atlin for the past 37 years.\u00a0 Although busy, he invited Lupe and SPHP into his home.<\/p>\n

Peter had canoes and kayaks available for rent, but said Atlin Lake was too big and dangerous to cross over to Teresa Island in such craft.\u00a0 He also had a motor boat that would have worked, but it was rented out for the next 2 days.\u00a0 The following 2 days it was committed to participation in a search and rescue class.<\/p>\n

Peter did share some good information.\u00a0 Over the years, he had climbed Birch Mountain multiple times.\u00a0 There were no trails on Teresa Island, and Peter was skeptical of SPHP’s proposed route from the N.\u00a0 He’d never tried that, but expected the willows would make it tough to get through the forest.<\/p>\n

The best route was from the SE, where a major rock slide gets down to within 200 meters of the shore.\u00a0 Staying on the rocks made the climb much easier.\u00a0 Peter had once gone up the NW side of the mountain, but that was more difficult.\u00a0 Yes, Birch Mountain could be climbed in a single day, but it would be a long, hard one.<\/p>\n

Although Peter couldn’t get Lupe to Teresa Island in the next few days, he knew who might be able to help.\u00a0 No regular water taxi services were available in Atlin, but Archie Wiggins had tremendous experience in the area and ran charter services with his large boat.\u00a0 Gary Hill might also have a suitable boat available.\u00a0 A call to Mr. Wiggins went unanswered.\u00a0 Probably out on the water with clients.<\/p>\n

Armed with phone numbers and instructions on how to find both Wiggins and Hill, Lupe and SPHP departed after thanking Peter for all his help.\u00a0 Returning to Atlin, Lupe dropped by Wiggins’ house, but no one was there.\u00a0 At the Hill household, Gary’s wife, Bobbi, was out in the yard.\u00a0 She was friendly and summoned Gary.\u00a0 Again no luck.\u00a0 Gary’s boat was rented out, and wouldn’t be available for a whole week.\u00a0 He had no other options for Lupe.<\/p>\n

That left Archie Wiggins, Lupe’s last and best bet.\u00a0 After dinner, Loop and SPHP returned to his house in Atlin.\u00a0 A vehicle was there now, but knocking on the door and walking around back produced no response.\u00a0 Hmm.\u00a0 Suddenly the front door opened.\u00a0 Barefoot and in an old T-shirt, Archie Wiggins strode out of the house.\u00a0 Peter and Bobbi had both called Archie leaving messages on Lupe’s behalf.\u00a0 So what did SPHP want?<\/p>\n

Passage across Atlin Lake both to and from Teresa Island.<\/em><\/p>\n

Wiggins and his boat were available tomorrow, but his response was surprising.<\/p>\n

Don’t really know much about Birch Mountain.\u00a0 We don’t get much call for it.\u00a0 People seldom want to hike Birch.\u00a0 Usually they helicopter over there.\u00a0 Most people I deal with want to go either to Atlin Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,722 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> where there’s a trail, or Cathedral Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,965 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Cathedral is a gorgeous mountain, a premier destination.<\/em><\/p>\n

Not familiar with Cathedral.\u00a0 What does it cost to go there?\u00a0 Really came for Birch.\u00a0 Are you willing to take us to Teresa Island?<\/em><\/p>\n

Are you alone?\u00a0 Just you and the dog?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes.<\/em><\/p>\n

For drop off and pickup, it’s $1,000 to Cathedral.\u00a0 Really a wonderful trip, and a fabulous peak.\u00a0 To Birch, $175.\u00a0 That’s just to the NE shore.\u00a0 More if you want to be dropped off somewhere else.<\/em><\/p>\n

$175?<\/em><\/p>\n

Do you have inReach<\/strong><\/span><\/a>?<\/em><\/p>\n

I suppose maybe we ought to, but no.\u00a0 I don’t.<\/em><\/p>\n

We get a lot of intrepid individuals up here, who’ve done some amazing things.\u00a0 My customers know what they’re doing and come prepared.\u00a0 I’m not going to be responsible for anyone who’s going to put themselves in a situation.<\/em><\/p>\n

With that, without waiting for a response, Archie Wiggins turned and went back into his house.\u00a0 The door banged shut behind him.<\/p>\n

That went well.<\/em><\/p>\n

Dingo feathers!\u00a0\u00a0 I totally blew it, Looper!\u00a0 The moment he quoted $175 for Teresa Island, I should have asked him what time we could start in the morning.\u00a0 I only hesitated because I was wondering if I ought to ask him about going to the SE side of the island to the rock slide Peter mentioned.\u00a0 Could have done that once we were already on board crossing the lake.\u00a0 He would have been thrilled to charge us more, if we didn’t like the looks of the NE shore.<\/em><\/p>\n

He still might have asked you about inReach.<\/em><\/p>\n

Maybe, but maybe not, too.\u00a0 We might well have been on our way!\u00a0 It would have worked out.\u00a0 Wiggins knows what he’s doing, and he was our last and best chance.\u00a0 Can’t believe I let it all fall apart like that.<\/em><\/p>\n

Too late now.\u00a0 Why don’t we take the helicopter, SPHP?\u00a0 That would be amazing!<\/em><\/p>\n

That’s right!\u00a0 He did say most people helicopter to Birch.<\/em><\/p>\n

Discovery Helicopters was close to where Hwy 7 reached Atlin.\u00a0 Right away SPHP ran into Matt, a young, professional helicopter pilot.<\/p>\n

Birch Mountain?\u00a0 No problem.\u00a0 Alone?\u00a0 That’s too bad.\u00a0 Price is the same for up to 4 people.\u00a0 We fly you up to an upper ridge.\u00a0 Still a nice hike to the summit from there.\u00a0 Spectacular views!\u00a0 Just tell us what time you want us to meet you again for pickup back at the ridge.\u00a0 Too late in the day to go now, but we can get you there as early as you like in the morning.<\/em><\/p>\n

Price?\u00a0 Well, 10 minutes flight time one way.\u00a0 Two round trip flights.\u00a0 That’s 40 minutes.\u00a0 Gotta figure some time for loading and unloading.\u00a0 $1,000 will do it.\u00a0 If someone else wants to fly beyond Birch about the same time, we could save you something on that, but don’t think we have anyone lined up at the moment.\u00a0 Drop in again in the morning, if you want to go.\u00a0 We’ll see if that’s changed, and work out the details.\u00a0 We’ll get Lupe up there!<\/em><\/p>\n

SPHP thanked Matt and returned to the G6.<\/p>\n

Are we really going in a helicopter, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

It’s a great deal with 4 paying passengers.\u00a0 $250.00 each, Canadian.\u00a0 Lucky American Dingoes get a nice discount at the current exchange rate.\u00a0 How are those royalties on your blog doing?\u00a0 Rolling in the dough by now, I hope?<\/em><\/p>\n

Business has been, umm, steady, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

Still nothing, aye?<\/em><\/p>\n

Zippo.<\/em><\/p>\n

Any book advances or movie rights in play?<\/em><\/p>\n

The agents just mutter something about “extremely limited market”.\u00a0 By the way, what does “infinitesimal” mean?<\/em><\/p>\n

In this context, Loopster, it means “Ain’t gonna happen.”\u00a0 How about those endorsements?\u00a0 Anything happening there?<\/em><\/p>\n

I haven’t really endorsed anything except playing in the mountains and T-bone steaks.<\/em><\/p>\n

No ad revenue, either, I don’t suppose.<\/em><\/p>\n

There might be, eventually, if we ever come up with an ad.<\/em><\/p>\n

I see.\u00a0 Well, doubt I can rustle up 3 additional paying passengers in the next few hours.\u00a0 Atlin is a small place.\u00a0 Probably doesn’t make sense to hang out at the marina tomorrow trying to buy a random ride from some boater to Teresa Island, either, since we’ll actually need to get back, too.<\/em><\/p>\n

No helicopter ride?<\/em><\/p>\n

At $250, yes.\u00a0 Absolutely.\u00a0 What an experience!\u00a0 Not at $1,000.\u00a0 We can get more bang for our buck at another mountain.\u00a0 To tell you the truth, I’m sort of used to free, other than our normal travel expenses.<\/em><\/p>\n

And that was that.\u00a0 Lupe’s Birch Mountain dreams had gone up in smoke.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog left Atlin heading back N on Hwy 7.\u00a0 Sundown found her at a little rest stop along the E shore of Atlin Lake.\u00a0 The lake was almost mirror smooth.\u00a0 The evening so calm, and a little sad.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Evening at Atlin Lake<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6 days into what was meant to be Lupe’s grandest Dingo Vacation of 2019, Tangle Ridge had been her only major peakbagging success.\u00a0 Failure at Hudson Bay Mountain.\u00a0 Failure at Birch.\u00a0 She’d traveled the long road N to the Yukon, and wasn’t far from it now, yet it seemed the Carolina Dog was getting nowhere fast.<\/p>\n

SPHP might be concerned, but Lupe wasn’t.\u00a0 Tomorrow was another day.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Birch Mountain<\/strong> from the E shore of Atlin Lake<\/strong>, British Columbia, Canada 8-10-19<\/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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Monarch Mountain near Atlin, British Columbia, Canada (8-12-18)<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Crocus Trail to Pine Creek Falls, Atlin, British Columbia, Canada (8-11-18)<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Glacier View Cabins (Peter Sidler)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Discovery Helicopters<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Archie Wiggins (Atlin Lake boat charters) \u00a0 PH: 250-651-7542<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

W<\/em>ant more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose from Lupe’s 2019 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska Adventure Inde<\/strong>x<\/strong><\/span><\/a>,\u00a0Dingo Vacations Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a> or Master Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0new Lupe adventures<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Days 4-6 of Lupe’s 2019 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska! 8-8-19, dawn, Yellowhead Hwy No. 16 W of Jasper – Uh-oh.\u00a0 Warning!\u00a0 Dingo triggering event ahead!\u00a0 Not another soul on the road yet, but SPHP had to brake.\u00a0 One of those portable temporary stoplights for road construction had just turned red.\u00a0 Lupe stared … Continue reading Yukon Bound! – Getting Nowhere on the Long Road North (8-8-19 to 8-10-19)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":25559,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","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":[1210],"tags":[105,1073,1216,79,106,698,1215,104,694,695,973,697,1214,708],"class_list":["post-25563","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2019-yukon-alaska","tag-american-dingo","tag-atlin-lake","tag-birch-mountain","tag-british-columbia","tag-carolina-dog","tag-houston","tag-hudson-bay-mountain","tag-lupe","tag-overlander-falls","tag-rearguard-falls","tag-smithers","tag-steelhead-park","tag-the-sausage-factory","tag-yukon"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/IMG_4226-scaled.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\/25563","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=25563"}],"version-history":[{"count":30,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25563\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27922,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25563\/revisions\/27922"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/25559"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=25563"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=25563"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=25563"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}