Behind the Shots: Joy of the Climb

Since moving to Moab, Utah about a year and a half ago, one of the moon shots high on my to-capture list was with a climber perched atop this gnarly red rock formation.  Due to the surrounding cliffs and terrain, there aren’t too many options for good alignments, especially not for the type of shots that I normally aim for.  It’s also only during the hottest part of the summer that the alignment I wanted occurs, so I was skeptical I’d be able to find anyone willing to make the ascent, and unsure I even felt comfortable asking someone to attempt such a mission. In August of 2022, plans to get someone up there didn’t end up working out. I was still able to photograph the rocks with the moon, but without a climber up there the shot remained on my list. 

Spoiler alert: In 2023, the shots worked out! Luke’s victory pose at the summit, with Mango as safety man.
Single Exposure 🔹 550mm 🔹 F/8 🔹 1/125 sec. 🔹 ISO 100⁠

In early May this year, plans started taking form with a friend that wanted to make it happen. When the day finally arrived though, she sadly had to cancel.  Her partner, Luke, could be the subject in her place, however these types of climbs are done in pairs for safety.  Within just a few hours of “go time”, he magically found another crazy climbing partner, so we were still on.  I sent a text to confirm our meeting spot, and got the response, “Awesome about to grab a burrito and head that way”.  I was on the opposite end of town from where we were headed, and I left 10 minutes later, so I figured they’d surely arrive at the trailhead before me.

In August 2022, plans to get someone up there for the shot failed, but I still proceeded to capture the lonely moon in position. Good preparation for the next attempt.
Single Exposure 🔹 170mm 🔹 F/8 🔹 1/125 sec. 🔹 ISO 100⁠

As per usual when I’m driving to a planned moon shoot, I was paying close attention to the sky, in particular the storm clouds that extended high and covered the Eastern horizon.  It wasn’t looking good for moon photos at all, especially considering the storms lately had built up even more in the evening.  Arriving at the trailhead after going down a dusty road, I was not surprised that there wasn’t anyone else there.  Temperatures had reached well over 100 F  (38 C) and so it wasn’t the best day for hiking and being outside.  I was surprised though, that my friends weren’t there either.  They should have beat me there given that they had left before me and I had farther to travel. 15 minutes after our meeting time they still hadn’t shown up. Something must have gone wrong.  Unfortunately, I didn’t have any signal to reach them or receive messages, so all I could do was keep waiting.  When Luke and Mango arrived, I learned why they hadn’t made it on time.  After the burrito was secured, Luke had been pulled over in the excited departure out of town.  Speeding citation issued.  Total bummer.

Once I got into position, there were still plenty of clouds. We had about an hour, and though it appears things might work out here, there were higher clouds moving in that could easily end up getting in the way.

On top of that, I wasn’t liking the idea of sending them on the climb.  “If I were you guys, I wouldn’t go”.  I explained that while it’s easy for me as the photographer since I had a pretty short walk and could just wait in the shade to see if the clouds cleared, they didn’t have the luxury of waiting to find out what would happen with the clouds.  They’d have to hike and make the climb in the heat, only for the moon to likely not show up at all.  We chatted a bit, moving on to other topics, and all the while I’m thinking they’d head home and maybe I’d stay to see if the moon made an appearance.  Then Mango asked Luke, “You wanna cook?”.  In other words, ‘Do you want to go hike and climb in this insane heat?’.  Well, they hadn’t made it to the gym that day, so it would make a good substitute workout and sauna.  Alrighty then, let’s do this.  Even if the clouds stick, we should be able to get some cool photos sans moon.

Closer to “go time” and while the exact spot for the photos was clear, there was still no way to tell if it would stay that way when the moment arrived. This shot gives a better sense of scale and what the climb was like, though the ascent took place on the other side of what we see here. If you look closely you can see Luke and Mango resting below the summit.

Where I had to be on the ground and where they were climbing were in opposite directions, so we made sure our two-way radios were on the same channel, said our goodbyes, and I urged them not to die, as if they weren’t already going to try to stay alive on their own preference.  As they hiked over and made the climb up, I made a fairly short walk to my position on the ground, set up my camera, and found a comfy spot in the shade.  I was roasting a bit just sitting there, so I knew they were sweltering with their hike and of course the climb.  They later told me that the hike was hot and sweaty but the climb was mostly in the shade and went extremely smooth.

Most of their 350 foot ascent was not visible from my position, but with about 30 minutes until the moon would be in the right spot, I saw them emerge onto a flat area a short distance from the pinnacle.  We cheered at each other, and they informed me via the radios that they were going to take a rest there before Luke would go up to the summit shortly before “the moment”.  They still couldn’t see the moon, which likely meant it was still behind all the clouds.  That wasn’t promising.  I had been constantly watching the clouds and their movement, and while it appeared that they had cleared enough to give us a chance, we still wouldn’t know until the time came for the photos.  With less than 20 minutes to go the sky behind them was pretty clear, but higher clouds were moving towards them.  Soon enough, though, they let me know they now had eyes on the moon.  I started feeling that things were actually going to go in our favor. 

Mango and Luke take a breather before it’s time for Luke to take his place on the summit. Just moments away from when the moon should appear, and finally looking clear enough of clouds to feel good about things working out.

Luke moved into position as Mango remained on the platform below on belay as safety man.  Even with that protection though, a fall from the summit would mean a 20-30 foot fall before the rope caught him, in what would likely be hanging in a precarious place.  As you can see in the photos, there’s barely enough space for one person to stand at the top.  It’s not a good place for anybody scared of heights to be, and it’s common for climbers that make it up to only take a seat on the throne, avoiding the fright of standing on wobbly legs.  Luke started out seated, but as the moon approached, I told him it was time to stand up for a few minutes.  I started taking photos and knew immediately we were getting some epic shots, and let them know as much through the radio.  After the moon had passed completely behind Luke, I asked them how long it would take for them to safely switch positions.  They had asked about the possibility of doing this before, and I considered that given the terrain I was on, I should be able to reposition myself as they swapped spots.  It would be nice to get photos of both of them up there, since they both made the journey after all!  They said they could swap in about 5 minutes.  My mind made the calculations for where I would have to move down the steep hill I was on to “move” the moon so that it would line up with the pinnacle again in 5 minutes…Yep, we should be able to do it! (if you’re interested in rules for “moving” the moon, I write about that here). I told them to execute the swap as I grabbed my gear and repositioned myself.  At my new spot on the ground, I was able to capture some shots of both of them in front of the moon as they did some rope work back on the platform.  They had estimated well - it was almost exactly 5 minutes from the time Luke left the summit until Mango took his place, and just in time.  I continued shooting as Mango did some poses.  We cheered and howled at the moon in pure joy of the moment, our voices passing each other across the half mile between us. 

Luke races the moon to the top, while Mango stays back as safety.
Single Exposure 🔹 600mm 🔹 F/8 🔹 1/100 sec. 🔹 ISO 100⁠

After Luke had his moment with the moon, we decided we could try for a swap so Mango could get some photos too. As they worked the ropes for trading places, the moon just so happened to be behind them from my new position on the ground.
Single Exposure 🔹 600mm 🔹 F/8 🔹 1/125 sec. 🔹 ISO 125⁠

Mango made it too!
Single Exposure 🔹 600mm 🔹 F/8 🔹 1/125 sec. 🔹 ISO 125

We reunited back at the trailhead and chatted for a bit as I showed them on my camera screen how the photos had turned out.  Luke had been super excited and determined to try and make things work even if the odds of success were low.  Mango pointed out how they “value the land and have a visceral connection to it. The land of extremes. Highs and lows and community. Even if the photos hadn’t worked out, it’s nice to experience the vertical and touch these rocks that give our souls power.” If we’re talking about connecting with nature, rock climbing is quite literally about as hands-on as you can get.  As a photographer, the equivalent of making it to the top of a peak is coming away with the planned photos.  It’s easy for me to focus on getting the desired shots, so this was a reminder to me to consistently keep myself in check and appreciate every moment I have to be out in nature.  That is precisely what got me into photography after all. 

So how can I tie this all together into a tidy conclusion to the story?  Seems like a relevant quote would work well.  Maybe one about guaranteed failure from not attempting in the first place.  Oh, or maybe better the “Teamwork makes the dream work”!  Oh, oh, I know, that one about joy being found in doing an activity, not finishing it.  Not sure I can decide here, so I’ll just say I really appreciate Luke and Mango for their passion, determination, and perseverance, and I’m always grateful for the opportunity to be out and connect with nature while practicing photography.  And ok, here’s one more quote for you below, one of my favorites from Alan Watts.

Mango and Luke “singing and dancing” while waiting for the moon.