The Biting Wind

Heading out

32 degrees Fahrenheit is freezing, but generally doesn't feel too cold unless a few other elements contribute to the chill.  Take away the desert sun and add a persistent wind with occasional gusts, and you have all the necessary ingredients for a potentially brutal outing.  That's how it was for Becca and me when we set off on a trek west of Tortoise Mountain.  By the time we linked up with JC and Shaque conditions had improved slightly--but only slightly.  You can see from the last image that JC was well prepared for the raw conditions.

Torrey Yuccas on Tortugas Mountain's western slope

Clouds over the Organ Mountains

Gloomy morning

Tortugas (left) and the Organs

Sun trying to break through

Miracle near the Organs

Trekking on a cold day

Sun on the mountains north of Las Cruces

JC (dressed for the weather) and Shaque