The author has arrived in Utah, having come from New Mexico. How different is the terrain in this new place from what he is accustomed to?

Much of New Mexico is dry and hot, like Utah. It also has mountainous areas. This Utah wilderness environment may not be unfamiliar to Abbey in terms of the flora and fauna and weather conditions. He certainly does not seem afraid or particularly out of his element, and does not mention having any trouble driving in the snow. The reader gets the impression that he is not unfamiliar with this kind of terrain and has probably spent a lot of time in nature.