{"id":48720,"date":"2023-07-17T08:10:44","date_gmt":"2023-07-17T14:10:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=48720"},"modified":"2024-02-26T12:09:15","modified_gmt":"2024-02-26T19:09:15","slug":"mount-peterson-muskwa-ranges-muncho-lake-provincial-park-british-columbia-canada-9-10-22","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=48720","title":{"rendered":"Mount Peterson, Muskwa Ranges Muncho Lake Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada (9-10-22)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Part 2 of Day 43 of Lupe’s 2nd Summer of 2023 Dingo Vacation to Canada & Alaska!<\/em><\/p>\n

9:48 AM, 54\u00baF, Alaska Highway, 7.5 km S of Muncho Lake<\/em> –<\/p>\n

Alrighty!\u00a0 Think we’re about ready, Loopster.\u00a0 Onward!\u00a0 Puppy, ho!<\/em><\/p>\n

Which side of the gash do you want to go up, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Let’s try the N side, Looper.<\/em><\/p>\n

Trotting NW across the Alaska Highway, Lupe came to a primitive road that started up Mount Peterson’s E slope.\u00a0 Spotting an unusual cairn on a bank just N of this road, the Carolina Dog went over to investigate.\u00a0 The cairn had a human shape, complete with a wooden walking stick.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
About to set out for Mount Peterson<\/strong> (L). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The “gash<\/strong>” (L of Center) from the primitive road. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Alaska Highway<\/strong> from the human cairn<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Looks just like you, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, I see the resemblance, Looper.\u00a0 We ought to make a Dingo cairn.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0A noble thought, but onward, SPHP!\u00a0 Mount Peterson<\/span><\/a> (7,021 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is way too big for us to be dilly-dallying.<\/em><\/p>\n

A rather rocky slope led up toward the forest, which wasn’t far off.\u00a0 How dense this forest was would make an enormous difference on what the American Dingo’s chances of success were on this ascent.\u00a0 Happily, initial results were encouraging.\u00a0 The forest was fairly open.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the forest. The gash<\/strong> (R of Center). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Entering the forest. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The slope soon steepened, and the trees became more tightly packed.\u00a0 Thick moss and spongy tundra carpeted the forest floor.\u00a0 Progress was still fairly decent, although SPHP had to wander in search of the best routes higher.\u00a0 The trees weren’t all that big, and there were countless small branches to push through.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
In the mossy forest.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As the day warmed up, gnats began to appear.\u00a0 Or at least, they initially looked like gnats.\u00a0 On closer examination, they were more like tiny flies with huge bulging eyes.\u00a0 Before long, clouds of these annoying bugs were swarming all around both Lupe and SPHP.\u00a0 Unlike gnats, these tiny flies seemed to bite, too.<\/p>\n

These gnats are terrible, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, I hate them.\u00a0 Hang on a minute, Loopster.\u00a0 Let me check the pack.\u00a0 Dang!\u00a0 Been so long since we’ve had a bug problem, that I didn’t bring any Deet.\u00a0 Guess we’re just going to have to put up with them.<\/em><\/p>\n

Increasingly plagued by the odious bugs, Lupe gained nearly 400 feet climbing quite a steep slope.\u00a0 Moving helped some, but there was no breeze, and between the forest and steepness of the slope, it was hard to move quickly.\u00a0 Had to keep going, though!\u00a0 Any pause simply ensured an even worse situation.<\/p>\n

The gnats were attacking Lupe’s eyes, and SPHP’s ears and neck.\u00a0 Half a dozen died with each swat, without achieving the slightest effect on their endless numbers.<\/p>\n

What can we do, SPHP?\u00a0 They’re eating us alive!<\/em><\/p>\n

Keep going, Looper!\u00a0 Our only hope is getting above treeline.\u00a0 Might find relief there.<\/em><\/p>\n

Lupe reached a little ridge with a 20 foot dip beyond it.\u00a0 The top of this ridge was level and fairly open.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the little ridge. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Let’s start angling S here, Loopster.\u00a0 Can’t be too far to the gash.\u00a0 Let’s try to get to it.\u00a0 Maybe we can see what things look like from there?<\/em><\/p>\n

Crossing the dip before turning S, Lupe soon made it to the N rim of the gash, which was actually a deep, steep-sided, V-shaped ravine.\u00a0 The view was limited where Lupe first reached it at about 4,300 feet, but she made a useful discovery.\u00a0 A path ran along the edge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Near the N edge of the gash. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No telling how much lower this apparently seldom-used path started, but it helped SPHP pick up the pace.\u00a0 Happily, the slope was no longer quite as steep, which didn’t hurt either, and even better, the ghastly gnats weren’t as bad near the edge.\u00a0 Climbing faster now, Lupe made it to a spot where Mount Peterson’s summit was in view.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Mount Peterson’s summit<\/strong> (L of Center). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ugh!\u00a0 It’s a long way to treeline, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, I know, Looper.\u00a0 Expected that.\u00a0 Our situation is even worse than I thought, though.\u00a0 Don’t know what possessed me to tell you to come up N of the gash like this.\u00a0 We’re on the wrong side!\u00a0 We need to get to that ridge over on the S side.\u00a0 That’s our intended route to the summit.<\/em><\/p>\n

Simply fabulous!\u00a0 How are we supposed to do that, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Keep a-going, Loop!\u00a0 Believe we can cross over higher up.<\/em><\/p>\n

The old game trail, or whatever it was, continued so close to the edge of the gash that portions of the trail had collapsed into the ravine, forcing brief, unpleasant forays into the totally gnat-infested forest.\u00a0 \u00a0In places, the path actually ran slightly below the edge, inside the gash.\u00a0 Lupe was quite daring, sticking with the trail across slopes so steep that SPHP feared for her safety, and didn’t dare follow.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Making progress! Mount Peterson summit<\/strong> (L of Center), intended route<\/strong> (L). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After gaining several hundred feet of elevation along the path, it veered deeper into the gash traversing a very steep, crumbly slope.\u00a0 SPHP was forced into stunted pines so thick that progress nearly ground to a halt.\u00a0 Returning to the edge of the gash whenever possible, Lupe sometimes came to open territory, but all the forested stretches were an absolute gnatmare, as merciless swarms engulfed both Lupe and SPHP.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On some beautiful open ground. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Improvement didn’t come until Lupe finally reached treeline at about 4,900 feet.\u00a0 Continuing another 200 feet higher, she made it to a jumble of white boulders at the base of Mount Peterson’s giant N ridge.\u00a0 She’d now gained nearly 2,000 feet of elevation.\u00a0 Thankfully, far fewer gnats were here, permitting a much needed rest break.<\/p>\n

As SPHP anticipated, there was more good news!\u00a0 The American Dingo was now above the deeply eroded gash.\u00a0 All she needed to do was cross a much more gently sloping drainage to reach a broad, rounded region of low tundra leading to the ridge she needed to climb.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Among the boulders at the base of Mount Peterson’s N ridge<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Crossing a scree slope on the way to this enticing alpine area, Lupe came to a small stream.\u00a0 She enjoyed a drink before plunking herself down in the cold water for a few minutes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The upper drainage region<\/strong> above the deeply eroded gash. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the tiny stream. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Starting up the next slope beyond the stream, SPHP’s right ear and side of the neck were burning and swollen with gnat bites.\u00a0 Stopping to take a Benadryl, SPHP saw blood on Lupe’s abdomen.\u00a0 Initially thinking she’d been injured somehow, SPHP was horrified to find the American Dingo’s entire abdomen a bright red patchwork of hundreds of gnat bites.<\/p>\n

Oh, Loopster!\u00a0 You poor thing!\u00a0 You must feel terrible!\u00a0 Nothing I can do to ease your pain, either.\u00a0 I’m so sorry that I didn’t bring any insect repellent!<\/em><\/p>\n

Mount Peterson hasn’t been much fun so far, SPHP.\u00a0 At least, the icy water in the little stream felt good.<\/em><\/p>\n

Despite her misery, the Carolina Dog was a real trooper.\u00a0 Continuing to climb, the tundra on the broad slope she was on became more and more beautiful.\u00a0 Back to the N, Muncho Lake was now in sight.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the tundra slope, destined for the ridge on the L. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Muncho Lake<\/strong> (R). Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A little higher on the beautiful tundra. Love the red! Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The ghastly gnats soon vanished completely on this firm, open terrain.\u00a0 Suddenly, Mount Peterson wasn’t such an ordeal.\u00a0 Gorgeous panoramas of silver-topped mountains steadily improved, and so did the mood.\u00a0 The rounded region narrowed as Lupe approached the ridge leading to the summit.\u00a0 A massive chunk of limestone sat alone on the tundra.\u00a0 Beyond it, Lupe started coming to bands of rock, small escarpments of crumbling limestone easily scrambled, or avoided.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the giant chunk of limestone. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Near the first rock bands. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was a long trudge.\u00a0 Higher ground kept appearing ahead, but the big ridge never got very narrow.\u00a0 Exploring the limestone escarpments was easy and fun.\u00a0 Loopster was having a blast!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Enjoying a little light scrambling among the rocks. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Sure beats the forest! This is awesome, SPHP!<\/em> Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Glancing over at Mount Peterson’s enormous N ridge<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Silvery mountains across the Muncho Creek valley<\/strong>. Peak<\/span> 7687<\/span><\/a><\/strong> (Center). Alaska Highway<\/strong> below. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Despite SPHP’s frequent pauses to gasp for air, Lupe was making great progress, clearly gaining on Mount Peterson’s summit.\u00a0 The rate of climb diminished by the time a cairn appeared ahead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Gaining on the summit<\/strong> (R of Center). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the cairn<\/strong> (L of Center). Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2:12 PM<\/em> – The 4 foot high cairn sat at a minor high point where the ridge Lupe had been following S turned W toward Mount Peterson’s summit.\u00a0 A long stick jutted another 4 feet skyward.\u00a0 Even if the American Dingo didn’t go any farther, this was quite an amazing viewpoint itself.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Muncho Lake<\/strong> (Center) from the cairn. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Muncho Lake<\/strong> with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This is a glorious spot.\u00a0 How about taking a short break here, Looper?<\/em><\/p>\n

All for it, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

A roomy patch of tundra SSW of the cairn provided a comfy spot to sit.\u00a0 Lupe had a tremendous view of a deep valley to the S from here, where a small tarn glittered at the upper end of a forested region.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The valley S of HP6171<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

That pond looks lovely, but I’m glad we’re not down there, SPHP!\u00a0 Bet there are a zillion gnats.\u00a0 <\/em>How high are we here, anyway?\u00a0 Did you remember to start a GPS track<\/strong><\/span><\/a>\u00a0when we left the RAV4?<\/em><\/p>\n

I did!\u00a0 Says we’re at 6,171 feet.\u00a0 According to that, we’ve gained a little over 3,000 feet so far, Loopster.\u00a0 Less than 1,000 to go!<\/em><\/p>\n

SPHP tried to sound optimistic, but gazing W along the ridge leading to Mount Peterson’s summit, whether Lupe would ever get there, or not, seemed questionable.\u00a0 Most of the ridge was cake, but the upper end looked dangerously steep.<\/p>\n

A little worrisome, isn’t it, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah.\u00a0 I’m not eager for another Table Mountain<\/strong><\/span><\/a> experience, Loop.\u00a0 You only get so many of those before something really bad happens.\u00a0 That long, steep slope coming up from this valley we’re seeing to the S actually looks like a better route than where we’re at, but I don’t know if we can intersect it from here.<\/em><\/p>\n

Let’s find out, SPHP!\u00a0 C’mon!<\/em><\/p>\n

Heading W from HP6171<\/span><\/strong>, the ridge dipped a bit.\u00a0 A faint path went this way, which was an encouraging sign.\u00a0 Lupe soon came to another minor high point with a better view of the region she would have to traverse to get over to that other slope.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Following the use trail from HP6171<\/span><\/strong> toward the summit<\/strong> (R). Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Pausing for a glance N. Mount Peterson’s N ridge<\/strong> (L), Muncho Lake<\/strong> (R).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Decision time! Head straight for Mount Peterson’s summit<\/strong>, or make the traverse SW to the slope on the L? Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking ENE back along the ridge toward HP6171<\/span><\/strong> (R). Muncho Lake<\/strong> (far L).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I think we can get over there, Looper.\u00a0 Let’s try it!<\/em><\/p>\n

You’re nuts, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Abandoning the ridgeline, SPHP started the traverse over to the other slope.\u00a0 Lupe did not follow, remaining up on the ridge.<\/p>\n

A few minutes of tedious rock-hopping on the steep slope was enough.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog was right!\u00a0 This traverse was going to take a month of Sundays, and it wasn’t even completely certain that it wouldn’t get too difficult to manage at some point.\u00a0 Abandoning the whole notion, SPHP rejoined Lupe on the ridge.<\/p>\n

Welcome back, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Thank you, Looper.\u00a0 Guess you’re right.\u00a0 Either this works, or we’re never going to get there.<\/em><\/p>\n

Continuing W, Lupe was soon past the last of the easy stretch.\u00a0 The rate of climb now steadily steepened.\u00a0 Nothing but rock the rest of the way!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Going for it! Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first part of the steeper climb really wasn’t bad at all.\u00a0 Lupe gained a ton of elevation without any trouble at all, and the higher she got, the less daunting the rock bands ahead looked.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Not a bad scramble so far, although not very comfortable, either. Photo look W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The crux of the matter came at around 6,750 feet.\u00a0 Staying along the S side of the ridge, the steep scramble on loose scree below outcroppings of bedrock got a little tricky.\u00a0 Rocks went clattering down the mountain, but not to an alarming extent.\u00a0 As always, the American Dingo had an easier time of it than SPHP did, but even SPHP managed to get past the worst of it.<\/p>\n

Still 200+ feet to go, but it was now clear that Lupe was going to make it to the top of the ridge.\u00a0 What she might find there, and how hard it might be to get to the true summit, remained uncertain.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loopster right up on the ridgeline. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe reached the upper end of the ridge at a wide gap in a spine of rock running N\/S.\u00a0 Peering NW through the gap, the news was fantastic!\u00a0 The true summit was only 150 feet away, easily attainable.\u00a0 Heading N along the W side of the spine, the Carolina Dog reached an 8 foot wide ramp of scree that got her to a cairn at the top.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Nearly there! True summit<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
True summit<\/strong> (L), Mount Peterson’s N ridge<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On Mount Peterson<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4:02 PM, 62\u00baF<\/em> – Success!\u00a0 Lupe stood next to the cairn at the true summit of Mount Peterson<\/span><\/a> (7,021 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 It was an airy perch.\u00a0 Not a lot of room up here!\u00a0 Beyond the American Dingo, a relatively flat, narrow summit ridge extended another 70 feet NNW.\u00a0 Beyond that, the ridge sank away to a lower level where it snaked a long way off to the N.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Next to the summit cairn<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Congratulations, Looper!\u00a0 Magnificent job, despite the hideous gnatmare!\u00a0 May I shake your paw?<\/em><\/p>\n

You may, SPHP!\u00a0 And I believe you brought 2 chocolate coconut bars?<\/em><\/p>\n

I most certainly did, and we’ve earned both!<\/em><\/p>\n

SPHP sat just below the cairn facing SE.\u00a0 With no comfy spots available for Lupe on the mountain, she curled up on SPHP’s lap, instead.\u00a0 Both chocolate coconut bars were quickly and eagerly dispatched.<\/p>\n

The views were stupendous!\u00a0 Directly ahead was the gap Lupe had come through to get here.\u00a0 Beyond it, the Alaska Highway was visible nearly 4,000 feet lower in a heavily forested valley.\u00a0 Silvery peaks extended to the horizon in all directions.\u00a0 Most topped out at elevations a little lower than Mount Peterson, although higher peaks were in sight, too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Gap in the rocky spine of the S ridge<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Of course, the most eye-catching view was of Muncho Lake and Mount Peterson’s long N ridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Muncho Lake<\/strong> (Center), Mount Peterson’s N ridge<\/strong> (L). Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I like how the N ridge kind of snakes along like it does, SPHP.\u00a0 Makes the whole scene a little more dramatic.<\/em><\/p>\n

Yup.\u00a0 Totally agree, Loop.\u00a0 Good thing we didn’t try to come here that way, though.\u00a0 Way too long and skinny.\u00a0 Would never have made it.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ragged and narrow, Mount Peterson’s SW ridge wouldn’t have been a feasible route up either, not that SPHP had ever even considered it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Mount Peterson’s SW ridge<\/strong> (foreground). Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Another angle. SW ridge<\/strong> (L & Center). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With so little room to move around, most of the time Lupe was perfectly happy enjoying the views from SPHP’s lap.\u00a0 Only a few of the countless peaks in sight were significantly higher than Mount Peterson.\u00a0 Of these, Nonda Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,822 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, a pyramid shaped spire to the NE, was closest.\u00a0 Peak<\/span> 7562<\/span><\/a><\/strong> earned an honorable mention.<\/p>\n

Peak<\/span> 7316<\/span><\/a><\/strong> was perhaps the most interesting.\u00a0 Within reasonable striking distance of the Alaska Highway, its S slope looked like a relatively easy scramble.\u00a0 Perhaps a candidate for a future Lupe adventure?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Nonda Peak<\/strong> (L), Peak 7316<\/span><\/strong> (L of Center), Peak 7562<\/span><\/strong> (R of Center). The sunlit ridge in the foreground was Lupe’s ascent route. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Nonda Peak<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks NE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 7316<\/span><\/strong> (L), Peak 7562<\/span><\/strong> (Center), Peak 7434<\/span><\/strong> (far R). Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The big peak that stood out the most was a massive mountain far to the SSE beyond Mount Scott<\/strong> (8,000 ft.)<\/strong><\/span>.\u00a0 This may have been Peak 8800<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Several even more distant peaks to the SE looked impressive, too.\u00a0 A snowfield on Yedhe Mountain<\/span><\/a> (8,914 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> helped to identify it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Mount Scott<\/strong> (R of Center), Peak 8800<\/span><\/strong> (R). Toad River valley<\/strong> (foreground). Photo looks SSE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 8800<\/span><\/strong>(?) (R of Center) Photo looks SSE with lots of help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Zoomed in on Yedhe Mountain<\/strong> (far R). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Peak 7100<\/span><\/strong> was a mere 3 km due W, but since Mount Peterson’s SW ridge was so gnarly, Lupe couldn’t get there, which didn’t really matter since she wouldn’t have had time for it, anyway.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 7100<\/span><\/strong> (L). Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5:02 PM<\/em> – An hour of glory high in the Muskwa Ranges had flown.<\/p>\n

Hate to say it, but time’s up, Loopster!\u00a0 You ready?<\/em><\/p>\n

I’m awfully comfortable right here, and Mount Peterson is an amazing perch, SPHP.\u00a0 It’s a perfect day, too!<\/em><\/p>\n

I know it, but it’s a perfect day that’s almost shot.\u00a0 Going to be plenty late as it is before we get back to the RAV4.<\/em><\/p>\n

Before departing, in accordance with longstanding tradition, Lupe stood proudly once more on Mount Peterson’s true summit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On Mount Peterson<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Final moments at the true summit<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The descent began with Lupe leading the way down to the gap in the spine of the S ridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading down to the gap<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

She was almost there when SPHP called a halt.<\/p>\n

Hang on, Loop!\u00a0 I’ve been trying to remember to take a few summit shots with the new iPhone, and I forgot to do it.<\/em><\/p>\n

We have to go back up, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, pretty please!\u00a0 This will only take a few minutes, Loopster.\u00a0 We’ll never get another chance, you know.<\/em><\/p>\n

At least you remembered before we got halfway down the mountain, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Really? We have to go back up?<\/em> Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Final, final moments on Mount Peterson<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As usual, SPHP was a super slow poke on the steep, rocky descent E of the gap, but did manage to get through it without incident.\u00a0 Took nearly an hour to get to the flat part of the ridge leading back to the big cairn with the pole at HP6171<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

After that, even SPHP made great time.\u00a0 Already in shadow, the race was on to get as far as possible while it was still light out.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading down on a perfect evening! Muncho Lake<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This time, Lupe stayed on the S side of the gash.\u00a0 For quite a long way as dusk deepened, she was able to follow game trails very close to, or right along, the rim.\u00a0 After entering the forest, SPHP eventually led her a little way from the edge.\u00a0 Even with the flashlight, it was too dark to be on the brink of disaster.<\/p>\n

Thankfully, all the gnasty gnats had gone to bed.\u00a0 The bushwhack was long and confusing enough as it was.\u00a0 The dense, black forest went on forever, and this route implausibly seemed considerably steeper than the N side of the gap had been.\u00a0 SPHP often resorted to clinging to trees, or sliding down treacherous slopes, while Lupe roamed in darkness.<\/p>\n

Weary, every now and then, a short break was required.\u00a0 Kind of strange being here, yet a familiar feeling, too.\u00a0 Near exhaustion, alone together in a little circle of light, on an incredibly dark and remote mountainside.<\/p>\n

At last, the ordeal was over.\u00a0 Lupe came to an enormous opening, an old moonlit gravel pit.\u00a0 Wandering easily across it, a road was found that soon led back to the Alaska Highway.\u00a0 Only a short, silent walk N on the empty road remained.\u00a0 What a fabulous, triumphant day!\u00a0 (11:48 PM)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Mount Peterson<\/strong>, Muskwa Ranges, Muncho Lake Provincial Park<\/strong>, British Columbia, Canada 9-10-22<\/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

Lupe’s GPS Track<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Muncho Lake Provincial Park<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Northern Rockies Lodge at Muncho Lake<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adve<\/em>ntures?\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":"

Part 2 of Day 43 of Lupe’s 2nd Summer of 2023 Dingo Vacation to Canada & Alaska! 9:48 AM, 54\u00baF, Alaska Highway, 7.5 km S of Muncho Lake – Alrighty!\u00a0 Think we’re about ready, Loopster.\u00a0 Onward!\u00a0 Puppy, ho! Which side of the gash do you want to go up, SPHP? Let’s try the N side, … Continue reading Mount Peterson, Muskwa Ranges Muncho Lake Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada (9-10-22)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":49387,"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":[105,79,30,106,26,104,898,1655,1654],"class_list":["post-48720","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-1585","tag-american-dingo","tag-british-columbia","tag-canada","tag-carolina-dog","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-lupe","tag-muncho-lake-provincial-park","tag-muskwa-ranges","tag-peterson-mountain"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_6817-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\/48720","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=48720"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48720\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":51500,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48720\/revisions\/51500"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/49387"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=48720"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=48720"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=48720"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}