Chapter 15 Tukuhnikivats, the Island in the Desert Summary and Analysis

In late August, the desert heat finally drives Abbey into the mountains and cooler air. He drives his old truck over the Arches entrance road at record speed to the highway because he is in a hurry to make camp at a special place on Mount Tukuhnikivats, Ute for "where the sun lingers." He picks up supplies and gas in Moab and drives in darkness to his special place among aspens and near a clear brook. After fixing diner over an open fire and drinking a bottle of wine, Abbey crawls into his down-filled mummy sleeping bag for the night.

The next morning, he fixes a big breakfast and packs lunch for the climb to the summit of Mount Tukuhnikivats, a 13,000-foot peak. Abbey needs no special equipment for...