{"id":59121,"date":"2025-01-22T08:10:52","date_gmt":"2025-01-22T15:10:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=59121"},"modified":"2025-04-16T10:57:22","modified_gmt":"2025-04-16T16:57:22","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-340-peak-6208-peak-6181-1-16-25","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=59121","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 340 &#8211; Peak 6208 &#038; Peak 6181 (1-16-25)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>11:09 AM, 46\u00baF, pullout on the E side of Hwy 385<\/em> &#8211; Last warm day before a big cooldown, with subzero temperatures expected by this weekend.\u00a0 Awesome right now, though, for a mid-January day, and Lupe was super excited!\u00a0 First Black Hills, SD Expedition of 2025, and the Carolina Dog was anxious to be underway.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59071\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59071\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7062-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59071\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7062-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7062-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7062-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7062-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59071\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Parked at a <strong>pullout along Hwy 385<\/strong>. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>Careful, Loopster!\u00a0 Stay close.\u00a0 There&#8217;s a ton of traffic.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Lupe knew how to cross a street, even a busy highway like this.\u00a0 Waiting until SPHP gave a green light, she then immediately dashed across all 4 lanes and started up the slope on the other side.\u00a0 After ducking under a barbed wire fence on a bank 20 feet above the highway, the American Dingo turned WSW up into the forest.<\/p>\n<p><em>Not sure why there was even a fence here at all, Looper.\u00a0 My maps show this as all USFS land.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Snow and scattered small rock formations appeared in the sunlit forest as Lupe headed higher.\u00a0 A beautiful region, but noisy with the sound of all the traffic whizzing along Hwy 385.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59072\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59072\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7063-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59072\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7063-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7063-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7063-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7063-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59072\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Climbing through the <strong>sunlit forest<\/strong>. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>After gaining 200 feet of elevation, Lupe reached a flat region where a gravel road was visible a little farther W.<\/p>\n<p><em>That road is part of a subdivision, Loop.\u00a0 We need to turn S here.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Turning S, Lupe climbed a short, snowier N slope.\u00a0 Within minutes, a top was just ahead.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59073\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59073\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7064-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59073\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7064-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7064-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7064-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7064-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59073\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Approaching the top of a <strong>snowier N slope<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>False summit, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>So, I see.\u00a0 Keep going, Looper.\u00a0 Should level out up on this next rise.<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59074\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59074\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7065-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59074\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7065-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7065-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7065-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7065-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59074\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">One more <strong>minor slope<\/strong> ahead. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Sure enough, this next rise led to a group of rocks in the middle of a flat, grassy clearing.\u00a0 Lupe promptly leapt onto a large flat stone lying on top of the biggest boulder.\u00a0 Much quieter up here, with some nifty views.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59076\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59076\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7067-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59076\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7067-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7067-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7067-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7067-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59076\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Atop the<strong> flat rock<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>Well, that was easy, SPHP!\u00a0 How about a chocolate coconut bar?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Hah!\u00a0 Not yet, tricksy Dingo.\u00a0 We&#8217;re just getting started.\u00a0 Today&#8217;s objectives are still off to the S.\u00a0 You can already see them from here.<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59075\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59075\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7066-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59075\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7066-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7066-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7066-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7066-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59075\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Peak 6208<\/strong> (L) and <strong>Peak 6181<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>Oh, so that&#8217;s where we&#8217;re going, SPHP?\u00a0 Those peaks aren&#8217;t all that far away.\u00a0 C&#8217;mon, let&#8217;s get to the first one!\u00a0 What&#8217;s it called, anyway?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Peak<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=151717\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">6208<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, Loop.\u00a0 According to the new <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/3d-elevation-program\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lidar<\/a><\/strong><\/span> information, that&#8217;s higher than what the old topo maps show.\u00a0 Officially 431 feet of prominence now, so I thought it would be a good one to tag for your first ascent of 2025.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Heading S for Peak 6208, Lupe discovered an old road almost as soon as she left the flat rock.\u00a0 The road was also going S, which made life easy.\u00a0 Just before getting to where she would have a clear view of Peak 6208, an enormous rock aimed steeply skyward appeared off to the R.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59077\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59077\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7068-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59077\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7068-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7068-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7068-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7068-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59077\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Following the old road. <strong>Peak 6208<\/strong> (L), <strong>Peak 6181<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>We&#8217;ve been here before, SPHP!\u00a0 I recognize that rock.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Yup, we visited <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Peak<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=69414\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">6181<\/span><\/a><\/strong> once a long time ago, Loopster.\u00a0 Followed this very same road to it.\u00a0 Believe we named this rock, Artillery Rock.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>I can see why, SPHP.\u00a0 Let&#8217;s check it out!<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59078\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59078\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7069-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59078\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7069-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7069-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7069-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7069-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59078\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Artillery Rock<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Artillery Rock sat atop a small ridge along with another rock formation that was a bit farther SW.\u00a0 Going up there, Lupe explored around the W side of Artillery Rock.\u00a0 From this perspective, it didn&#8217;t really resemble an artillery piece at all, appearing much more like a massive wall, although still composed of layers perched at a steep angle.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59079\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59079\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7070-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59079\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7070-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7070-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7070-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7070-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59079\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Exploring the <strong>W side of Artillery Rock<\/strong>. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>After going clear around Artillery Rock, there was not only a good look at Peak 6208 as Lupe returned to the road, but of another massive rock formation rising at a steep slant on a hill to the SE.<\/p>\n<p><em>Look at that, SPHP!\u00a0 Sort of like another Artillery Rock over there.<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59080\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59080\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7071-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59080\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7071-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7071-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7071-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7071-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59080\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A <strong>second Artillery Rock<\/strong> (L)? <strong>Peak 6208<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>Shoot, Loop.\u00a0 I thought Peak 6208 was going to be a cinch, but I&#8217;m kind of seeing some big, slanting rock formations among the trees up there, too.\u00a0 Starting to wonder if we&#8217;ll even be able to get to the summit?<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Hopefully, the American Dingo wouldn&#8217;t have any problems scrambling to the top of whatever was actually up on Peak 6208, but upon realizing that Artillery Rock maybe wasn&#8217;t so unique in this region, confidence was no longer what it had been only minutes ago.<\/p>\n<p>After reaching the road again, Lupe followed it to the base of Peak 6208 before abandoning it once more to start up the mountain.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59081\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59081\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7074-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59081\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7074-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7074-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7074-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7074-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59081\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Starting up <strong>Peak 6208<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A moderately steep N slope got Lupe to a broad region of tall pines and grass that sloped more gently up to the SE.\u00a0 Glimpses of several large rock formations were visible beyond the pines.\u00a0 While there were also some rock formations off to the W, it was already clear that Peak 6208&#8217;s summit was somewhere E or SE.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59082\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59082\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7075-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59082\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7075-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7075-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7075-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7075-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59082\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Approaching <strong>Peak 6208&#8217;s summit region<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>As Lupe headed toward the rock formation farthest E, concern grew.\u00a0 All of these outcroppings were pretty big and steeply inclined.<\/p>\n<p>Even before the American Dingo got to where she was going, SPHP saw that a different formation a little more toward the SW was definitely Peak 6208&#8217;s true summit.\u00a0 Nevertheless, Lupe scrambled nearly all the way to the top of the formation she&#8217;d chosen.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59083\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59083\" style=\"width: 1650px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7076-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59083\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7076-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C880&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7076-scaled.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7076-scaled.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7076-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59083\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Near the top of the <strong>NE high point<\/strong>. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>That&#8217;s not the summit, Loop!\u00a0 Can you see it from there?\u00a0 Look SW!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Sort of, but not really, SPHP.\u00a0 Too many trees in the way.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>SPHP scrambled up after Lupe, with the same result.<\/p>\n<p><em>OK, never mind.\u00a0 Let&#8217;s go back down, Loopster.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The true summit wasn&#8217;t far off.\u00a0 Soon Lupe was standing on some rocks below its overhanging N face.\u00a0 No way up here, that much was certain.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59084\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59084\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7077-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59084\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7077-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7077-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7077-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7077-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59084\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Next to <strong>Peak 6208&#8217;s summit block<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>12:29 PM, 47\u00baF, <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Peak<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=151717\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">6208<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/em> &#8211; Circling around to the SW, the situation wasn&#8217;t much different.\u00a0 Lupe could easily get to within 15 or 20 feet of the top, but it looked dicey from there.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59085\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59085\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7078-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59085\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7078-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7078-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7078-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7078-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59085\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">So close, and yet so far! Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>Stay there, Loopster!\u00a0 I&#8217;m coming up to take a look.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>By heading toward the S face, Lupe could get another 3 or 4 feet higher, but that was it.\u00a0 The slope of the formation was simply too great to go straight up it, and peering around the corner, SPHP saw that the S face was even steeper, with a more than 100 foot drop to the forest below.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59087\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59087\" style=\"width: 1650px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7080-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59087\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7080-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C880&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7080-scaled.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7080-scaled.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7080-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59087\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The <strong>upper, Dingo unfriendly, S face<\/strong>. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>Dang!\u00a0 Here I thought this was going to be cake, an easy success for you to start New Year 2025 off with, Loopster.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>These Lidar peaks with all the newly discovered prominence that you&#8217;ve gotten so interested in recently are uncommonly tough, SPHP.\u00a0 We&#8217;re 0-2 on them now after the fail you set me up for on my birthday.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Yeah, I&#8217;m sorry, Looper.\u00a0 Not off to much of a start with them, are we?<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Lupe went as high as she could safely go, which was much closer to the true summit than she&#8217;d been able to get back at <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=57728\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Peak 6530<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, but even so, while Peak 6208 may have been close to a success, still no banana.<\/p>\n<p><em>Worse yet, no chocolate coconut bar, either, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59088\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59088\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7081-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59088\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7081-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7081-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7081-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7081-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59088\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">As<strong> high as Lupe could go<\/strong>, contemplating a fail on her first peak of 2025. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59089\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59089\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7082-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59089\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7082-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7082-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7082-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7082-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59089\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>Guess we can&#8217;t win &#8217;em all, especially on these Lidar peaks, huh, SPHP?<\/em> Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>Don&#8217;t worry!\u00a0 Peak 6181 is a guaranteed success.\u00a0 We&#8217;ll split a chocolate coconut bar there, Loopster.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>A shelf of rock WSW of Peak 6208&#8217;s summit had a nice view to the W.\u00a0 After scrambling down from her not-quite-lofty-enough perch on the summit block, Lupe enjoyed a quick look before starting for Peak 6181.\u00a0 <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Peak<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=19811\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">6743<\/span><\/a><\/strong> was in sight more than 6 miles NW.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59117\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59117\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7088-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59117\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7088-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7088-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7088-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7088-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59117\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Peak 6743<\/strong> (R of Center) in the distance. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Heading W from Peak 6208&#8217;s summit block, Lupe passed quite a few more rock formations as she journeyed through generally easy terrain.\u00a0 Partway down the W slope, a minor ridge off to the NW appeared likely to offer some decent views.\u00a0 A brief venture over that way yielded both Peak 6181 and Peak 6743 again, plus quite a bit of territory to the N.<\/p>\n<p>The most striking thing about this ridge, though, was an odd fin jutting up from some curved rocks.<\/p>\n<p><em>This is a cool spot, Loop.\u00a0 Out of the ordinary.\u00a0 We ought to give it a name.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>How about Dorsal Fin Ridge, SPHP?\u00a0 These curved rocks look sort of like the back of a fish, don&#8217;t they?\u00a0 And the dorsal fin is perfectly obvious.<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59093\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59093\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7091-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59093\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7091-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7091-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7091-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7091-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59093\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Peak 6181<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59094\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59094\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7092-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59094\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7092-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7092-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7092-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7092-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59094\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Peak 6743<\/strong> (R) from <strong>Dorsal Fin Ridge<\/strong>. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Continuing W, Lupe soon made it down to the same old dirt road she&#8217;d left farther N.\u00a0 Following it S, the road passed through fields of tall grass bordered by assorted rock formations.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59095\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59095\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7093-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59095\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7093-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7093-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7093-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7093-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59095\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Back on the <strong>old road<\/strong> again. <strong>Peak 6181<\/strong> (Center) ahead. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59118\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59118\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7094-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59118\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7094-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7094-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7094-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7094-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59118\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Passing some of the <strong>rock formations<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>It didn&#8217;t take long to reach a field in the broad saddle NE of Peak 6181.\u00a0 The road curved off to the SE here, so Lupe left it to begin her ascent.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59097\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59097\" style=\"width: 1650px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7095-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59097\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7095-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C880&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7095-scaled.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7095-scaled.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7095-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59097\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">About to start up <strong>Peak 6181<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Peak 6181 was arranged the opposite of the way Peak 6208 had been.\u00a0 Lupe passed some rock outcroppings early on, but higher up the only big rocks were along the spine of the NE ridge.\u00a0 Staying just S of them, the Carolina Dog climbed a virtually obstacle-free slope.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59098\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59098\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7096-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59098\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7096-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7096-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7096-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7096-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59098\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Approaching <strong>Peak 6181&#8217;s summit<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>1:18 PM, 48\u00baF, <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Peak<\/span><\/strong><\/em> <em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=69414\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">6181<\/span><\/a><\/strong> &#8211; <\/em>As Lupe closed in on the summit, SPHP began noticing tracks in the snow, also headed up the mountain.<\/p>\n<p><em>Gosh, Loop.\u00a0 These tracks look so fresh, they&#8217;ve got to be from today.\u00a0 You don&#8217;t suppose someone else might still be up here, do you?<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The question answered itself a moment later, as someone another 40 or 50 feet up the slope greeted SPHP.<\/p>\n<p>On this uncommonly marvelous winter day, Lupe got to meet AJ Miller, Michelle Bollinger, and Cinder.\u00a0 Turned out that AJ and Michelle were working on climbing the 100 highest peaks in the Black Hills, having now reached 55 of them.\u00a0 A noble endeavor, if ever there was one!\u00a0 They were just starting back to Hwy 385, where their vehicle was evidently parked at the same pullout that the RAV4 was at.<\/p>\n<p>Even more astonishing than seeing anyone on a mountain in January was AJ&#8217;s reaction upon learning Lupe&#8217;s identity.\u00a0 He and Michelle knew Lupe!\u00a0 AJ praised Lupe as having been practically everywhere in the Black Hills, and having documented countless peaks before anyone else.\u00a0 AJ even called her a &#8220;legend&#8221;.\u00a0 If the Carolina Dog could blush, now would have been the time to do it.<\/p>\n<p>It also turned out that today was Michelle&#8217;s birthday, too!\u00a0 What a terrific day for it!\u00a0 Lupe understood what it was like having a winter birthday.\u00a0 Weather-wise they are inevitably hit and miss, strictly luck of the draw.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59100\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59100\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7098-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59100\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7098-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7098-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7098-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7098-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59100\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Lupe<\/strong> and <strong>AJ<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59099\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59099\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7097-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59099\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7097-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7097-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7097-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7097-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59099\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">And with <strong>birthday girl<\/strong>, <strong>Michelle<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59103\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59103\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7101-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59103\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7101-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7101-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7101-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7101-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59103\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Cinder.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Cinder was young, striking, full of energy, and off to a fabulous start in life climbing mountains in the beautiful Black Hills.\u00a0 Since Cinder was very interested in sticks, with AJ and Michelle&#8217;s permission, SPHP gave Cinder an especially tasty one, a piece of duck jerky which was very well-received.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59101\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59101\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7099-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59101\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7099-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7099-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7099-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7099-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59101\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Happy <strong>Cinder<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>1:33 PM <\/em><em>&#8211; <\/em>Nearly 8 years since she&#8217;d been here the first time, Lupe once again stood on the highest rock on <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Peak<\/span><\/strong> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=69414\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">6181<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59104\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59104\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7102-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59104\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7102-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7102-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7102-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7102-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59104\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">At the <strong>true summit<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>It had better be chocolate coconut bar time now, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n<p>A SW breeze was in the pines as SPHP dumped the pack, then sat down on a rock W of the true summit before splitting the eagerly sought prize with the American Dingo.\u00a0 Although she&#8217;d been eating snow, Lupe still lapped up a little water before devouring a bowl of Blue Buffalo, too.<\/p>\n<p>Forest hid the views toward the S, where the mountain sloped fairly steeply away.\u00a0 The best views near the true summit were from a line of small cliffs along the NW edge.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59107\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59107\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7105-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59107\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7105-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7105-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7105-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7105-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59107\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Along the <strong>edge of the cliffs<\/strong>. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Nearly 3 miles NW, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=55560\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Atlantic Hill<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(6,395 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> stood out in a relatively low region, with the high ridge of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=6235\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Bear Mountain<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(7,168 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> in the distance beyond it.\u00a0 SPHP could even make out the fire lookout tower there.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59105\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59105\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7103-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59105\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7103-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7103-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7103-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7103-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59105\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Atlantic Hill<\/strong> (Center) with <strong>Bear Mountain<\/strong> beyond it. <strong>Odakota Mountain<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>N of Bear Mountain, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=6233\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Odakota Mountain<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(7,199 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, South Dakota&#8217;s 2nd highest peak, was also in sight along the E edge of the limestone plateau country.\u00a0 The flat summit of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=19814\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Copper Mountain<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(6,920 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was in view between it and pointy <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=19810\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Medicine Mountain<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(6,884 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> a bit farther E.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59106\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59106\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7104-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59106\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7104-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7104-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7104-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7104-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59106\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Odakota Mountain<\/strong> (L) with <strong>Copper Mountain<\/strong> between it and <strong>Medicine Mountain<\/strong> (L of Center). <strong>Bear Mountain<\/strong> (far L). Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>From the NE end of the summit region, over by a couple of small mining exploration pits, Lupe caught sight of <a href=\"https:\/\/crazyhorsememorial.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Crazy Horse<\/span><\/strong><\/a> on <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=19816\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Thunderhead Mountain<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(6,564 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> back to the N, plus a good, though distant, look at <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=34019\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Northeast Cicero Peak<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(6,278 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> off to the SE.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59108\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59108\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7106-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59108\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7106-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7106-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7106-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7106-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59108\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Crazy Horse carving<\/strong> (R of Center) on <strong>Thunderhead Mountain<\/strong>. Photo looks N with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59109\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59109\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7107-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59109\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7107-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7107-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7107-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7107-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59109\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Northeast Cicero Peak<\/strong> (Center) on the horizon. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Most of the upper portion of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=76227\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Buckhorn Mountain<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(6,325 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was in sight from these mining pits, too.\u00a0 Beyond the town of Custer, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=27444\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Mount Coolidge<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(6,037 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=55543\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Custer Mountain<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(6,104 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, and <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Peak<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=69415\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">6040<\/span><\/a><\/strong> were also fairly easy to pick out.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59113\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59113\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7111-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59113\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7111-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7111-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7111-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7111-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59113\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Buckhorn Mountain<\/strong> (L). Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59114\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59114\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7112-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59114\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7112-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7112-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7112-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7112-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59114\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Zoomed in on <strong>Mount Coolidge<\/strong> (L), <strong>Custer Mountain<\/strong> (Center), and <strong>Peak 6040<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Satisfied with her tour of Peak 6181&#8217;s summit region, as Lupe returned to the true summit for the final time, something weird caught her eye.<\/p>\n<p><em>That&#8217;s rather strange, isn&#8217;t it, SPHP?\u00a0 Look at that massive rock jutting out to the N from just below the true summit!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Huh.\u00a0 Good eye, Loop!\u00a0 Funny, I never noticed it before.\u00a0 Get up there for a minute, if you would, please.<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59110\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59110\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7108-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59110\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7108-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7108-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7108-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7108-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59110\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">On the <strong>overhanging rock<\/strong> (R). <strong>True summit<\/strong> (L). Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59111\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59111\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7109-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59111\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7109-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7109-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7109-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7109-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59111\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Back at the <strong>summit<\/strong>. <strong>Peak 6743<\/strong> (Center) on the horizon. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>2:14 PM,<\/em> <strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Peak<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=69414\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">6181<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/strong> &#8211; Getting to be about time to move along.<\/p>\n<p><em>Always liked Peak 6181, ever since we were here the first time, Loop.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Meeting AJ, Michelle, and Cinder really made it especially memorable this time around, SPHP, a rare and truly special occasion!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Yes, indeed, but, sly Dingo, are you referring to the fact that we met anyone at all, Michelle&#8217;s birthday today, or being called a &#8220;legend&#8221; for the first time ever by AJ?<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Lupe grinned mischievously, while attempting to portray innocence.<\/p>\n<p><em>Why, all three, of course!<\/em><\/p>\n<p>A final look at the big view toward Atlantic Hill, and the American Dingo was on her way.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59112\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59112\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7110-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59112\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7110-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7110-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7110-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7110-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59112\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Atlantic Hill<\/strong> (L of Center) and <strong>Bear Mountain<\/strong> from <strong>Peak 6181<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The return went well.\u00a0 Nothing to it really.\u00a0 Back down Peak 6181&#8217;s NE slope to the old dirt road, N along it to the grassy field with the flat rock beyond Artillery Rock, then NE to Hwy 385.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59115\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59115\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7113-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59115\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7113-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7113-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7113-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7113-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59115\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Buckhorn Mountain<\/strong> (Center) again from <strong>Peak 6181&#8217;s NE slope<\/strong>. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59116\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59116\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7114-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59116\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7114-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7114-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7114-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7114-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59116\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Returning to <strong>Hwy 385<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>3:08 PM, 48\u00baF, back at the RAV4<\/em> &#8211; The sun would still be up for more than an hour, but it was sort of late to set off on any more adventures.<\/p>\n<p><em>Well, kind of a short outing, but at least you finally got New Year 2025 off to a start today, Loopster!\u00a0 A perfect day, other than the Peak 6208 fiasco.\u00a0 I really didn&#8217;t expect it to be any more difficult than Peak 6181.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Oh, it&#8217;s all good, SPHP, as long as we can explore the beautiful Black Hills together!<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59099\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59099\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7097-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59099\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7097-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7097-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7097-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7097-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59099\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">With birthday girl, <strong>Michelle Bollinger<\/strong>, Black Hills of South Dakota 1-16-25<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_59120\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-59120\" style=\"width: 1306px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Peak-6208-Peak-6181-GPS-track-1-16-25.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59120\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Peak-6208-Peak-6181-GPS-track-1-16-25.jpg?resize=660%2C439&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"439\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Peak-6208-Peak-6181-GPS-track-1-16-25.jpg?w=1306&amp;ssl=1 1306w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Peak-6208-Peak-6181-GPS-track-1-16-25.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-59120\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Lupe&#8217;s GPS Track<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Links:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=62447\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Next Black Hills Expedition<\/span><\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=58123\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Prior Black Hills Expedition<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/climber\/ascent.aspx?aid=2747438\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><strong>Lupe&#8217;s Scrollable GPS Track<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=42233\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 307 &#8211; Peak 6170 &amp; Atlantic Hill (11-24-22)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=8572\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 188 &#8211; Peak 6181, Peak 6040 &amp; Custer Mountain (1-18-17)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=546\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 125 &#8211; Atlantic Hill, Signal Hill &amp; Elk Benchmark (4-4-15)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em style=\"font-size: 10pt;\">Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0 Choose from Lupe&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?page_id=3964\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Black Hills, SD &amp; WY\u00a0Expeditions\u00a0Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a>, <\/em><a style=\"font-size: 10pt;\" href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?page_id=18\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Master Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/a><em style=\"font-size: 10pt;\">, or subscribe free to <a href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?page_id=18\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">new Lupe adventures<\/span><\/strong><\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>11:09 AM, 46\u00baF, pullout on the E side of Hwy 385 &#8211; Last warm day before a big cooldown, with subzero temperatures expected by this weekend.\u00a0 Awesome right now, though, for a mid-January day, and Lupe was super excited!\u00a0 First Black Hills, SD Expedition of 2025, and the Carolina Dog was anxious to be underway. &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=59121\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 340 &#8211; Peak 6208 &#038; Peak 6181 (1-16-25)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":59104,"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":[6],"tags":[1739,105,9,106,1735,104,1740,776,1738,304],"class_list":["post-59121","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-black-hills","tag-aj-miller","tag-american-dingo","tag-black-hills-expeditions","tag-carolina-dog","tag-cinder","tag-lupe","tag-michelle-bollinger","tag-peak-6181","tag-peak-6208","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7102-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\/59121","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=59121"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59121\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":63704,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59121\/revisions\/63704"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/59104"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=59121"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=59121"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=59121"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}