{"id":45728,"date":"2023-04-23T08:10:54","date_gmt":"2023-04-23T14:10:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=45728"},"modified":"2023-04-28T08:44:27","modified_gmt":"2023-04-28T14:44:27","slug":"poss-mountain-brooks-range-alaska-part-1-nugget-creek-peak-3780-8-20-22","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=45728","title":{"rendered":"Poss Mountain, Brooks Range, Alaska – Part 1: Nugget Creek & Peak 3780 (8-20-22)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 22 of Lupe’s 2nd Summer of 2022 Dingo Vacation to Canada & Alaska!<\/em><\/p>\n

8:57 AM, 0.25 mile E of the Dalton Highway just past MP195 –\u00a0 <\/em>Peak 3470<\/span><\/strong> behind her, Lupe stood in the middle the abandoned construction camp blinking in the morning sun.\u00a0 That was a good thing!<\/p>\n

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At the long abandoned construction camp. Peak 3470<\/span><\/strong> (Center). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So, Poss Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,180 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is a go, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yup!\u00a0 We’re giving it a shot, Loopster!\u00a0 Supposed to be cloudy the next few days, but we’re past any serious rain in the forecast, and this looks plenty good enough.\u00a0 If the weather will just stay like this, with a little luck, you’ll be on Poss Mountain tomorrow!<\/em><\/p>\n

Tomorrow!\u00a0 Are we staying out overnight in the Brooks Range, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Maybe a couple of nights out, Loop.\u00a0 Bringing the tiny house!\u00a0 Are you all cranked up for your first ever backpacking trip in Alaska?<\/em><\/p>\n

Sounds fabulous, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Should be awesome, Loopster!\u00a0 Only thing I’m not sure about is where we ought to start.<\/em><\/p>\n

Why?\u00a0 What’s wrong with right here, SPHP?\u00a0 This looks like a great place to start!\u00a0 Just head for the gap between those those 2 mountains straight for Poss Mountain.\u00a0 We can see it from here!<\/em><\/p>\n

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Poss Mountain<\/strong> (Center) from the construction camp. Peak 3780<\/strong> (L), Peak 3286<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I’d love to, Loopster.\u00a0 This construction camp does seem like a great spot to start.\u00a0 Andrew Holman<\/strong><\/span><\/a> and Abbey Collins<\/strong><\/span><\/a> climbed Poss Mountain from here last September.\u00a0 In fact, from their GPS track<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, looks like they drove in about half a mile, instead of having to hike it.<\/em><\/p>\n

Pitifully easy then, SPHP!\u00a0 We can, too!\u00a0 So, what’s the problem?<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, Andrew wrote a short trip report<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 Said that they followed the S side of Nugget Creek, which is somewhere in the forest N of us here, and flows NW out of the gap we see.\u00a0 Holman didn’t say what they ran into, but did recommend staying on the N side of the creek instead.<\/em><\/p>\n

So, when we get to Nugget Creek, we’ll just cross over to the N side, SPHP.\u00a0 Problem solved!<\/em><\/p>\n

Except we don’t know how big Nugget Creek is, Loop.\u00a0 If it was that easy to cross, Andrew probably wouldn’t have even mentioned it.\u00a0 Thinking maybe we should go back to the Dalton Highway and drive<\/em> far enough N to put us on the N side of the creek to begin with.<\/em><\/p>\n

I’m fine with that, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

Good!\u00a0 Although I do sort of hate to give up this sweet S side start, Looper.<\/em><\/p>\n

9:06 AM, Dalton Highway – <\/em>Nugget Creek was only another 0.25 mile N, but SPHP missed the R (SE) turn onto a little side road immediately N of the stream.\u00a0 Driving another 0.5 mile N searching for a place to turn around, a familiar, yet thrilling, sight was ahead in the distance.<\/p>\n

Loopster, look!\u00a0 Sukakpak Mountain<\/span><\/a> (4,459 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>!<\/em><\/p>\n

Sukakpak<\/span><\/strong><\/a> was awesome, SPHP!\u00a0 Will we get to climb it again on this trip?<\/em><\/p>\n

I sure hope so, Loop!\u00a0 6 years since we’ve been up there.\u00a0 We’re overdue!<\/em><\/p>\n

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Sukakpak Mountain<\/strong> (R of Center). Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

11:12 AM, 55\u00baF, Dalton Highway MP 175+, at the side road immediately N of Nugget Creek<\/em> – The pack was loaded; tiny house, sleeping bags, and all.\u00a0 Full of Ritz crackers and cheese, the Carolina Dog was ready to set out for Poss Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,180 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 She’d already checked out Nugget Creek.\u00a0 Not a huge stream, but big enough so that SPHP was glad Lupe wouldn’t have to ford it right away.<\/p>\n

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On the big culvert where Nugget Creek<\/strong> flows under the Dalton Highway<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Taking Andrew Holman’s advice, Lupe started the trek to Poss Mountain following the dirt side road N of Nugget Creek into the forest.\u00a0 After only a few hundred feet, the road ended at a small clearing where a rusty old burn barrel stood.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Setting out for Poss Mountain. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The burn barrel at the end of the road.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hmm.\u00a0 No easy 0.5 mile head start here, is there, Loopster?\u00a0 Too bad.<\/em><\/p>\n

Make up your mind, SPHP!\u00a0 We can still go back to the S side construction camp, if you want to.<\/em><\/p>\n

Eh, let’s see how this goes, Loop.\u00a0 But I’m blaming Andrew Holman for whatever happens!<\/em><\/p>\n

Nugget Creek was rushing along just a little S of the burn barrel.\u00a0 Going over to it, Lupe began following the creek upstream through reasonably open forest full of soft, spongy tundra.\u00a0 Progress was good, and soon got even better when the American Dingo discovered a faint path marked with orange ribbons tied to trees or bushes.<\/p>\n

Paralleling Nugget Creek quite close to it, the path eventually vanished.\u00a0 No big deal!\u00a0 Traveling through the flat forest remained fairly easy.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Following Nugget Creek<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Exploring the Nugget Creek wilderness<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Soft on the paws, a thick, colorful carpet of moss and lichens covered the forest floor.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a mile, or so, a steeply eroded bank was seen ahead above a bend in Nugget Creek.\u00a0 Some elevation had to be gained to get past this point.\u00a0 At first, being this high above the creek was a temporary situation.\u00a0 Lupe returned to the stream several times, but as the Carolina Dog kept going, a slow, steady climb began.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the eroded bank<\/strong> (L). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A little above Nugget Creek<\/strong> now.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The ground N of the stream began to rise somewhat faster, forming a small ridge.\u00a0 Forced by increasingly dense vegetation, deadfall, and\/or Nugget Creek, Lupe began spending more and more time up along the edge of the high ground, instead of right down by the stream.\u00a0 Travel was generally easier up here.<\/p>\n

An hour from the eroded bank, Loop came to a large, flat opening well above Nugget Creek.\u00a0 Peak<\/span> 3780<\/span><\/a><\/strong> was now in sight ahead.\u00a0 Full of bushes and tussocks, this clearing was actually fairly difficult terrain.\u00a0 Following game trails along the edge of the forest was much easier than trying to go through it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 3780<\/strong> (L) from the clearing. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The sky clouded up quite a bit, but everything still seemed to be going fine.\u00a0 However, the elevation gap between the ridge Lupe was following and Nugget Creek was steadily growing.\u00a0 Gradually turning E, the ridge was slowly angling away from the stream, too.\u00a0 Attempts to return the valley floor right next to the creek repeatedly led to steeper terrain and denser forest.\u00a0 Staying higher always seemed to be easier.<\/p>\n

Approaching the gap where Nugget Creek flowed between Peak<\/span> 3780<\/span><\/a><\/strong> and Peak<\/span> 3286<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, the sides of the valley got steeper and steeper.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Nugget Creek valley<\/strong> between Peak 3780<\/strong> (L) and Peak 3286<\/strong> (R). Poss Mountain<\/strong> (L of Center). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hmm.\u00a0 Not sure what we should do, Loopster.\u00a0 The Nugget Creek valley is way more V-shaped than I’d anticipated.\u00a0 Wish Andrew had said a little more about what he and Abbey encountered down along the creek.<\/em><\/p>\n

Wonder why he said to stay N of the creek, SPHP?\u00a0 Looks like there’s a lot less vegetation to deal with over on the S side.<\/em><\/p>\n

Don’t know, Loop, but I agree.\u00a0 Wish we were over there.<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, the grass is always greener on the other side, isn’t it?\u00a0 Yet, for better or worse, the Carolina Dog was N of Nugget Creek, and dropping clear down to it again to ford the stream and try the S side against Andrew Holman’s advice seemed like a lot of work of questionable utility.<\/p>\n

Decisions, decisions!\u00a0 Drop down to Nugget Creek, or keep following the ridge higher?\u00a0 SPHP chose neither.<\/p>\n

Tell ya what, Loop.\u00a0 Let’s just try not to lose any elevation.\u00a0 Maybe we can find a spot where we can traverse this slope without having to gain much more?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, right!\u00a0 Peak 3780’s SW slope kept getting steeper.\u00a0 Every time Lupe tried to traverse it below the ridgeline, she ran into alders so thick SPHP could barely force a way through them.\u00a0 Only another mile to where Nugget Creek forked, and the topo map<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/span> showed easier ground, but a mile of this nonsense would take all day.<\/p>\n

Each foray into the alders resulted only in another forced steep climb back to ever higher, but more manageable terrain up on the ridge.<\/p>\n

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Among the alders on Peak 3780’s SW slope<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Are you sure we should be doing this, SPHP?\u00a0 We’re gaining an awful lot of elevation.\u00a0 Andrew and Abbey were right down by the creek, right?<\/em><\/p>\n

I know it, Loop, but we’re so high now, that I don’t want to lose our hard won elevation.\u00a0 Let’s just keep climbing.\u00a0 Sooner or later we’ll get above the alders, and it won’t be so steep.\u00a0 We’ll cut across this slope then.<\/em><\/p>\n

Temporarily giving up on traversing the slope, the American Dingo kept climbing.\u00a0 Both trees and alders finally began to thin out, but it didn’t help that much.\u00a0 Less substantial bushes beginning to display the reds, oranges, and golds of autumn took their place.\u00a0 Shoulder high on SPHP, even Lupe was having a time of it trying to thrash her way through this brilliant jungle.\u00a0 At first, she could rarely see the views of the Middle Fork of the Koyukuk River that were starting to appear off to the W.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Middle Fork of the Koyukuk River<\/strong> from Peak 3780’s W slope<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A caribou antler Lupe found.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Carolina Dog was 1,000 feet above Nugget Creek when things finally opened up enough to start making a level traverse of the slope feasible.\u00a0 However, by then a top was visible only a few hundred feet higher.<\/p>\n

I don’t know, Loop.\u00a0 Actually looks easier to simply go up and over now.<\/em><\/p>\n

Is that the top of Peak 3780 ahead, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

No, not yet.\u00a0 According to the map, we’re approaching HP3400<\/span><\/strong>, Looper.<\/em><\/p>\n

Might as well go up there and have a look around, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

HP3400<\/span><\/strong> was farther and higher than it looked.\u00a0 The ascent remained quite steep.\u00a0 The bushes were much smaller now, but the sponginess of the tundra continued to make every step harder than one might expect.\u00a0 Reaching the welcome firmness of an initial patch of dirt and small rocks, SPHP paused for a breather.<\/p>\n

Essentially above tree and bush line now, the views were getting better!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
HP3400<\/span><\/strong> (L), Poss Mountain<\/strong> (Center) in the distance. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 3286<\/span><\/strong> (Center) on the other side of the Nugget Creek valley<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Nugget Creek<\/strong> (foreground) and Middle Fork of the Koyukuk River<\/strong> (Center & R). Part of Peak 3286<\/span><\/strong> (L edge). Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This is encouraging, SPHP!\u00a0 Looks like we’re finally starting to get somewhere.<\/em><\/p>\n

So it does, Loopster.\u00a0 Onward!\u00a0 Puppy, ho!<\/em><\/p>\n

The beautiful, spongy tundra climb continued.\u00a0 More rockiness appeared ahead.\u00a0 Getting to it, this still wasn’t HP3400<\/span><\/strong> yet, but Lupe had reached a much gentler, firmer slope.\u00a0 Couldn’t be much farther to HP3400<\/span><\/strong>!<\/p>\n

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Approaching more rocks during the beautiful tundra climb. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A brown beauty.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Finally on firmer ground! HP3400<\/span><\/strong> (L of Center). Poss Mountain<\/strong> (R). Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Closing in on HP3400<\/span><\/strong>, Lupe encountered the first big rock formations of the day.\u00a0 Scrambling up onto them yielded a dramatic look back at the Middle Fork of the Koyukuk River.\u00a0 A smaller ridge of thinly layered stone was higher yet, a little farther on.<\/p>\n

The upper ridge proved to be the top of HP3400<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 SPHP was surprised to see an “O’s” cap pinned beneath a few rocks.\u00a0 Picking the cap up to see what was underneath revealed only a few small rocks.\u00a0 Hmm.\u00a0 A little anti-climactic, but whatever.\u00a0 SPHP restored the cap to its awesome viewpoint.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Middle Fork of the Koyukuk River<\/strong> from the first big rock formation. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The O’s cap on HP3400<\/span><\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Middle Fork of the Koyukuk River<\/strong> from HP3400<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Been a long climb lugging this heavy pack, Loop.\u00a0 Let’s take a short break.<\/em><\/p>\n

Quite a few clouds around, but Lupe was in sunshine while relaxing on HP3400<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 In addition to the Middle Fork of the Koyukuk River to the W, Poss Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,180 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was in sight still more than 3 miles off to the SE.\u00a0 Sukakpak Mountain<\/span><\/a> (4,459 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Dillon Mountain<\/span><\/a> (4,820 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, and Wiehl Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,765 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> were quite a bit farther N.<\/p>\n

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Sukakpak Mountain<\/strong> (L of Center), Dillon Mountain<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NNE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Looking SW, Lupe was now higher than Peak<\/span> 3286<\/a><\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Down in the valley, the area where Nugget Creek forked was also in sight more than 1,500 feet below.\u00a0 A sliver of Minnie Creek Lake was even visible beyond the ridge on the far side.<\/p>\n

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Nugget Creek valley<\/strong> and Peak 3286<\/span><\/strong> (R) in the foreground. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From HP3400<\/span><\/strong>, it was easy to see that Lupe could now continue E down into a big saddle, then skirt along the S side of Peak 3780 before heading down into the Victor Gulch region.\u00a0 Shouldn’t have much trouble at all!<\/p>\n

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Peak 3780<\/strong> (Center) from HP3400<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What?\u00a0 Are you crazy, SPHP?\u00a0 We aren’t going to do that!<\/em><\/p>\n

Do what, Loop?<\/em><\/p>\n

Skip Peak 3780!\u00a0 We’re so close, and look at how easy it is.\u00a0 Just a big hill only 400 feet higher.\u00a0 After coming all this way, we have to climb it, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

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Heading for Peak 3780<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After descending to the broad saddle leading to Peak 3780, Lupe crossed it, then started up.\u00a0 Most of the W slope was easy low tundra vegetation, but a line of rock formations ran partway up, too.\u00a0 The biggest one came first.\u00a0 Lupe checked it out, and sniffed around some of the smaller ones farther up, too.<\/p>\n

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Below the first big rock formation on Peak 3780’s upper W slope<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Checking out some higher rocks. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Near the top of Peak 3780, SPHP got caught in a trap!\u00a0 A wild blueberry trap, that is.\u00a0 SPHP’s attempts to self-extricate from the situation seemed suspiciously feeble, but Lupe didn’t mind the wait.<\/p>\n

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Wild blueberries.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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So they’re pretty tasty, aye, SPHP? Enjoy! Not a fan myself.<\/em> Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6:13 PM, 50\u00baF – <\/em>A rounded slope flattened out into a level plain several acres in size as Lupe reached Peak<\/span><\/strong> 3780<\/span><\/strong><\/a>‘s summit region.\u00a0 A minor rise along the N edge was clearly the true summit, but the American Dingo didn’t go there right away.\u00a0 Instead, she visited a more dramatic Dingo display pedestal along the S edge first.<\/p>\n

The view of Poss Mountain’s dark upper regions towering far above red-hued lower slopes and Victor Gulch was stunning!<\/p>\n

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Peak 3780’s summit region<\/strong>. True summit<\/strong> (Center) ahead. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Poss Mountain<\/strong> (Center), Victor Gulch<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Arriving at the rise along the N edge only a few minutes later, Lupe found a small brass pin toward the NW end of a ridge of thin-layered rock.\u00a0 Set in stone, the pin was stamped with the numbers “2610” and “8”.\u00a0 4 rocks were neatly arranged forming a box around it.<\/p>\n

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The brass pin.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The true summit was 30 feet farther SE.\u00a0 Soft tundra vegetation provided comfortable spots to rest.\u00a0 After 7 hours of bushwhacking to get here, Lupe wasn’t shy about availing herself of the opportunity to lie down.<\/p>\n

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On Peak 3780’s true summit<\/strong>. Poss Mountain<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Relaxing on Peak 3780<\/strong>. Sukakpak Mountain<\/strong> (L), Dillon Mountain<\/strong> (Center), Wiehl Mountain<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How ya doing, Looper?\u00a0 Andrew Holman’s N route is a killer, isn’t it?<\/em><\/p>\n

Just a hunch, but I’m fairly certain Andrew didn’t really intend for us to climb 2,000 feet above Nugget Creek, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, pretty sure he would have mentioned a little detail like that.\u00a0 Still, if I hadn’t read his trip report, we would have started S of Nugget Creek, too.\u00a0 So it’s clearly Andrew’s fault we’re here right now!<\/em><\/p>\n

Like we had nothing to do with it!\u00a0 And what’s wrong with this, anyway?\u00a0 Peak 3780 is awesome!\u00a0 Look at these fabulous views of the Brooks Range, SPHP.\u00a0 Magnificent, if you ask me!<\/em><\/p>\n

Now, now!\u00a0 I’m not blaming Andrew, I’m crediting him, Loop.\u00a0 You’re right.\u00a0 Peak 3780 is a spectacular viewpoint.\u00a0 We are the beneficiaries of the Holman N Nugget Creek route extended scenic tour!\u00a0 We’ll have to thank Andrew, if we ever run into him.<\/em><\/p>\n

Long stretches of the Middle Fork of the Koyukuk River, Dalton Highway, and Alaska oil pipeline were all visible to the W and N.\u00a0 Old friends Sukakpak, Dillon, and Wiehl Mountain were NNE.\u00a0 And to the SSE, a grand view of Lupe’s current main objective, Poss Mountain.<\/p>\n

Who knew if Lupe would ever even make it to Poss?\u00a0 Small rain showers were slowly drifting this way from out of the W.\u00a0 At least Peak 3780 was a peakbagging success worth mentioning on her first ever backpacking trip in Alaska.\u00a0 Way up in the Brooks Range, too.\u00a0 Epic!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Middle Fork of the Koyukuk River<\/strong> (Center & R), HP3400<\/span><\/strong> (Center) in the foreground. Photo looks, W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Poss Mountain<\/strong> (L). Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6:57 PM, Peak 3780<\/em> – 45 minutes after reaching Peak<\/span> 3780<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, Lupe stood on the true summit for the last time.<\/p>\n

Sad to say it, but we better get moving, Looper.\u00a0 Still quite a trek ahead of us, if we expect to get into position for Poss Mountain tomorrow.<\/em><\/p>\n

Starting down Peak 3780’s SE slope, it got steep so fast that SPHP quickly decided against it.\u00a0 Lupe regained 100 feet of elevation going back up to and over Peak 3780’s summit plain before heading back down the same W slope she’d come up.<\/p>\n

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Heading back down the W slope<\/strong>. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe turned S before reaching the saddle to HP3400<\/span><\/strong> again.\u00a0 Swinging slowly E on a long descent, a light-colored gently sloping region in view just E of Nugget Creek in Victor Gulch became the objective.\u00a0 Looked like that might be the best spot to put up the tiny house.<\/p>\n

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Descending toward the region just L of Nugget Creek<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was all pretty easy until Lupe got down to the bushes again.\u00a0 Trying to get far enough E to avoid having to cross Nugget Creek’s main course, the American Dingo crossed a series of deeply eroded ravines where the lower SE slopes of Peak 3780 were crumbling away.\u00a0 Big cracks revealed significant slumping in this region.\u00a0 Battling among the bushes through this upheaval was a bit of an ordeal.<\/p>\n

Could have been much worse!\u00a0 Thankfully, there were few alders.<\/p>\n

Before it was over, Lupe crossed two small streams.\u00a0 Neither presented much of a problem.\u00a0 The last one drained into Victor Gulch from the E.\u00a0 A short, steep climb from there, and the Carolina Dog made it to the region SPHP had been aiming for.<\/p>\n

9:15 PM, Victor Gulch, E of Nugget Creek<\/em> – Exceptionally thick, spongy tundra, and a few low bushes covered this entire area.\u00a0 Kind of lumpy, but soft, too.\u00a0 Wandering SSE on a gentle slope, SPHP selected a spot to erect the tiny house.<\/p>\n

Lupe had lost 1,400 feet of elevation since leaving Peak 3780.\u00a0 Tomorrow she was going to have to regain it all, plus another 2,400 feet, to reach Poss Mountain.\u00a0 After a 10 hour day today, it seemed a long shot, at best.\u00a0 Adding to concerns, the evening was completely overcast as light faded from the sky.<\/p>\n

Too weary to care, Loopster plunked herself down on her red sleeping bag in the tiny house as soon as SPHP unzipped the door.\u00a0 Dinner and a good, long snooze were all that mattered right now.<\/p>\n

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Poss Mountain<\/strong> from Peak 3780<\/strong>, Brooks Range, Alaska 8-20-22<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

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

Poss Mountain, Brooks Range, Alaska – Part 2: Denied! (8-21-22) & Peak 3286 (8-22-22)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Andrew Holman’s Poss Mountain Trip Report & GPS Track (9-4-21)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Lupe’s GPS Track to Peak 3780 & Poss Mountain Base Camp<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Sukakpak Mountain, Brooks Range, Alaska (8-13-16)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Dillon Mountain, Brooks Range, Alaska (8-15-16)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

BLM Dalton Highway Visitor Guide<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose from Lupe’s Summer of 2022 Dingo<\/span> Vacations to Wyoming, Canada & Alaska Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/em>, Dingo Vacations Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a> or Master Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0new Lupe adventures<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Day 22 of Lupe’s 2nd Summer of 2022 Dingo Vacation to Canada & Alaska! 8:57 AM, 0.25 mile E of the Dalton Highway just past MP195 –\u00a0 Peak 3470 behind her, Lupe stood in the middle the abandoned construction camp blinking in the morning sun.\u00a0 That was a good thing! So, Poss Mountain (6,180 ft.) … Continue reading Poss Mountain, Brooks Range, Alaska – Part 1: Nugget Creek & Peak 3780 (8-20-22)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":45702,"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":[1585],"tags":[704,105,723,106,104,1629,1627],"class_list":["post-45728","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-1585","tag-alaska","tag-american-dingo","tag-brooks-range","tag-carolina-dog","tag-lupe","tag-peak-3780","tag-poss-mountain"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/IMG_6070-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\/45728","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=45728"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45728\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":47838,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45728\/revisions\/47838"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/45702"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=45728"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=45728"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=45728"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}