The mountains of the desert

On our way to the Salt river in central east Arizona, Josh and I met up with photographer Whit Richardson, and two friends from home in Telluride, Miriam and Emily for an all time ski decent of mount Peale in the La Sal mountains of eastern Utah.  Waking up around 5:30 am we gassed up on coffee and petrol and drove up into the La Sals.  Skinning up a few thousand feet and then boot packing to the top we were rewarded with one of the most amazing views from a mountain top I have ever seen.

Whit gearing up in the parking area below Mount Peale

Making our way up the lower flanks of Mount Peale 12,721 ft

Setting the boot pack up the last 1,000+ feet

Josh Williams, one step at a time

Josh and I enjoying lunch on the summitt in very little wind. Canyonlands Nation Park is in the background

Mount Tukuhnikivatz 12,482 ft and the canyon country of Utah

Josh skiing five star corn for over 3,000 ft back to the car

After such a great ski with good friends and temps in the mid 70′s in Moab there was only one thing left to do, Crack open a cold wobbly pop and enjoy the sun.

~ by foleyphoto on April 24, 2010.