Marilyn Koolstra

It was nearly a four-week trek that they took, walking most of that trail.

It was nearly a four-week trek that they took, walking most of that trail.

It also takes planning, persistence and a good backpack. So Eric did some shopping before departing.

It also takes planning, persistence and a good backpack. So Eric did some shopping before departing.

It was time to get a new backpack because the other one had, you know, worn a few holes.

It was time to get a new backpack because the other one had, you know, worn a few holes.

The backpack Eric chose came in two colors, sapphire and ruby, blue or red.

The backpack Eric chose came in two colors, sapphire and ruby, blue or red.

Eric didn't like the color red. I love the color red. I wear lots of red. I enjoy red, you know, and if I've got a high-powered day where I need to feel confident, I would wear something red. but not Eric. Marilyn expected her husband would buy the blue one. But it was red. And I said, oh, yeah, you've gone red. It's not red. Anyway, the argument went backwards and forwards. It's not red.

Eric didn't like the color red. I love the color red. I wear lots of red. I enjoy red, you know, and if I've got a high-powered day where I need to feel confident, I would wear something red. but not Eric. Marilyn expected her husband would buy the blue one. But it was red. And I said, oh, yeah, you've gone red. It's not red. Anyway, the argument went backwards and forwards. It's not red.

It's ruby. And the backpack became known as ruby.

It's ruby. And the backpack became known as ruby.

That ruby red backpack made Eric easy to spot on the JMT. It stood out against the natural colors of nature. And Ruby later became a key target for searchers when Eric disappeared. My name is Dave Cauley, and you are listening to Uinta Triangle, an audio documentary from KSL Podcasts. This is Episode 2, Aspiring.

That ruby red backpack made Eric easy to spot on the JMT. It stood out against the natural colors of nature. And Ruby later became a key target for searchers when Eric disappeared. My name is Dave Cauley, and you are listening to Uinta Triangle, an audio documentary from KSL Podcasts. This is Episode 2, Aspiring.

Eric Robinson and Alan Beck started their hike on the JMT in August of 2006, beginning from the bottom of the Yosemite Valley.

Eric Robinson and Alan Beck started their hike on the JMT in August of 2006, beginning from the bottom of the Yosemite Valley.

Alan and Eric were very social on that trip, and of course there are a lot of people coming onto the trail at various points along there.

Alan and Eric were very social on that trip, and of course there are a lot of people coming onto the trail at various points along there.

One of the first people they met was a young woman named Julia Geisler.

One of the first people they met was a young woman named Julia Geisler.