The terrain began to change rapidly, the landscape losing it desert sage, but gaining pinyon pines and then ponderosa pines. Eventually we broke through the phalanx of sandstone monoliths, and climbed onto the pine-covered slopes of the Chuska Mountains. Pierre was in front, the rest not far behind him, and I trailed in the rear, keeping my own pace, keeping the cadence going while listening to music on my mp3 player.