Meeting People In The Backcountry

Maybe this has something to do with backpacking solo so much, but one part of my backcountry trips I like so much is meeting people (and I thought I did it to get away from people). This last summer I met another solo hiker in Kern Canyon and we talked for hours. He even gave me my first taste of those high sierra wild raspberries. That was one of the many highlights of that trip. Another time many years ago I met a group of four near First Recess and we chatted it up till late at night around the campfire. Another time I met a skier on my way toward 1000 island lake in early spring, and miraculously encountered him again later that year on another ski tour. And then there was the time I met Rosie from our HST forums along the JMT and she offered that I tag along on her pack train horse ride.