I love going to new places. While I had seen this particular location through many, many different venues--internet, books, web--I really had no idea where it was located. Last year I decided to make a big trip to any special location in the South Western United States. I wanted to go somewhere I'd never been before that had outstanding photographic potential. The search was on.

Somewhere along the way, I bought a photo book about arches when visiting the Petrified National Park during a pass-through on my way to Bosque Del Apache NWR. In this book were tones and tones of images from Arches NP. I found my spot. Not really knowing were it was located, I suggested to my wife, Robin, she pitch a free-lance story to one of her editors about the trip. While we had worked together on other stories before, this would the first colaborating from beginning to end. She'd do the writing while I'd make the images LIttle did I know Arches was 800 miles from my house and it would take two days just to get there. Fortunately, before I could back out and pick a closer location, her editor accepted the project. So begins the story.

I knew of all locations to shoot in Arches NP, I had to shoot Delicate Arch up close. Perhaps the most famous natural arch in the world, Delicate arch is located at the end of a moderately difficult 1.5 mile hike across Utah slickrock. Normally a hike this long wouldn't be much of an issue but two things were working against me. We got to the trailhead late, only 1.5 hours before sunset, and I wanted to carry 30lbs of equipment. I needed all my gear including the kitchen sink just in case. Fortunately, Robin was very amenable to carrying my 6.5lb 300mm f/2.8 AF-S. I needed to hike fast and hike loaded. The hike, or death march begins.

Not 100 yards into the hike, Robin went back for the headlamp I'd forgotten. Normally I would've gone back with her to get it but knowing we only had so much daylight left, we both agreed she'd head back and meet me at the arch. Remember neither of us had been to Delicate Arch before. The first third of the hike was across nice, moderately climbing terrain. It was a stretch but well within my means and my 24lb load. Just when I was getting into a grove the trail broke open into Utah slickrock with few if any markers for the trail. Honestly, the only thing keep my bearings were the other hikers up ahead. All together, It took about 30 minutes to climb the trail and get to the top. Honestly, I was amazed. Usually the only reward for finishing an intense physical exercise is the sense of accomplishment for completing the task. Here the extra reward was the awesome view revealed right at the top of the trail. I was tired, exhausted, and amazed simultaneously.

Wasting no time, I got right down to shooting of which this image o' the month was the first composition I made. About five minutes before sunset, Robin finally arrived. What happened? The slickrock trail had few if any markers for the correct path. She took a wrong turn near the top. She said later that she could see me but couldn't make it all the way up being stymied by super steep terrain. After about three different approaches and backtracking, she eventually made it up to the top. "You so owe me" she said. I think the fantastic view tempered her attitude a bit and really saved the day for me. Thank god she's understanding. As for the 300mm lens? I didn't use it which probably didn't help much.

Cheers

Tom Hill