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 Of course, we would meet many more people on the trek. Some we got to know quite well, as our paths would cross, depart, and then re-connect several times. It is always fun to meet other wilderness travelers, especially if you are heading in the same direction. This allows you time and opportunity to really get to know each other. Some of the “characters” that we befriended this trip included a couple of guys from Houston, Texas. “Smilin’ John” and “Cyclops”  would be our companions for about a week. Their stories and escapades became the stuff of legend for our trip. “Smilin’ John” would have a hard time getting to the top of some of the passes, but we would all wait for him at the top, shouting out encouragements to him and reveling in his success as he joined us on the summit. He would greet us each time with some smart remark like “I don’t need this sh*t!” But he would say it with a broad grin on his face and a twinkle in his eyes! “Cyclops” would amaze us with his hiking stamina and over-all winning personality. He has hiked the JMT before, as well as many other long-distance trails. I would take either of them on ANY trip in the future. I hope we can keep in touch.
Another new friend is Andrew. Andrew is a medical student in Los Angeles, but took the summer off to “re-group’ and get ready for another arduous semester. Quiet and unassuming, he would show up after several days of being away,
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with new stories to tell of fishing, long mileage days, and going “off trail” to find some extreme solitude. Then he would join us for a few miles, dinner, and dessert. He carried jelly-beans! I knew I liked him for some reason!
When we reached the top of Muir Pass, running ahead of a thunder storm, we took refuge in the old stone hut on the summit. Inside we met Steve and Kara. Tales were told of the trail, and questions were asked about the coming miles. As I was the only one familiar with what lay ahead, I was soon answering questions and pointing out places on the maps. After a while, Steve asked me what I did for a living, and I explained about working in the film industry. He asked if I had ever heard about the “Red One” camera, and I immediately said “Sure, but I would never be able afford one.” It turns out that he was one of 'Jim's Little Technical Elves' working for Red. I couldn't believe it! I was able to spend the next four days "talking geek" with THE Red tech! But more importantly than that, we talked of shared trail experiences, compared camping gear (they were using hammocks instead of tents), and traded food items. We had so much fun together that they decided to alter their hiking plans and join us for a few more days. Andrew showed up again about this time, and made me a GREAT cup of coffee. Thanks again, Andrew!
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By now, we had been on the trail for 22 days. We made a stop at some “hidden” natural hot springs that I knew about. It was here that we met “Naked John.” I won’t give you all of the details, but suffice it to say that he did everything naked. And I mean EVERYTHING. (Setting up camp, gathering firewood, tending the fire, morning exercises, etc.) And then the next morning, to top it all off as he was leaving, he dawned his boots, hat, and pack, and set off down the trail. Yep, still naked!