Early morning light illuminates features of the landscape, revealing details that I had not seen during my visit two years earlier. Here I'm looking at the north slope of the Goose Neck, wondering if it's possible to scramble up that slope to the level mesa just above my head. Binoculars revealed topographic details that were both inspiring and troubling. (However, all my worry was for naught because three days later I easily ascended the slope to the mesa.)

My photographic assistant, Joe Tripod, found inspiration in a three-point stance.