Marilyn Koolstra

And we'll soon see the consequences when disaster strikes in New Zealand.

And we'll soon see the consequences when disaster strikes in New Zealand.

Julia Geisler loved the time she spent on the JMT.

Julia Geisler loved the time she spent on the JMT.

Day after day, she saw her new Aussie friend, Eric, on the trail. Always had this huge backpack on. She learned to recognize him from a distance by the backpack's ruby color. It was red.

Day after day, she saw her new Aussie friend, Eric, on the trail. Always had this huge backpack on. She learned to recognize him from a distance by the backpack's ruby color. It was red.

Eric brought such a big backpack because he needed space for a bear canister. The High Sierra is home to black bears, and hikers use canisters to keep their food secure. But they can only hold about a week's worth of food. That meant Eric and Alan had to leave the trail a few times to resupply. So they leapfrogged Julia and Devin.

Eric brought such a big backpack because he needed space for a bear canister. The High Sierra is home to black bears, and hikers use canisters to keep their food secure. But they can only hold about a week's worth of food. That meant Eric and Alan had to leave the trail a few times to resupply. So they leapfrogged Julia and Devin.

Over time, Eric, Alan, Julia and Devin merged into what some hikers call a trail family. And they weren't the only members. Another thru-hiker was named Jonathan McCauley, and he was a little bit ahead of us. Jonathan was hiking the JMT solo, but he sometimes hung back to socialize. When Devin celebrated her 25th birthday on the trail, Jonathan went to town and came back with pizza and beer.

Over time, Eric, Alan, Julia and Devin merged into what some hikers call a trail family. And they weren't the only members. Another thru-hiker was named Jonathan McCauley, and he was a little bit ahead of us. Jonathan was hiking the JMT solo, but he sometimes hung back to socialize. When Devin celebrated her 25th birthday on the trail, Jonathan went to town and came back with pizza and beer.

Trail magic takes many forms. It's a free ride for a hitchhiking trekker, or spritz of bug spray to a stranger who forgot their own. An act of generosity. Hiking's a funny hobby in this way. It can simultaneously be the most solitary activity and the most social.

Trail magic takes many forms. It's a free ride for a hitchhiking trekker, or spritz of bug spray to a stranger who forgot their own. An act of generosity. Hiking's a funny hobby in this way. It can simultaneously be the most solitary activity and the most social.

Eric and Julia would have probably never met any other way. But their chance encounter on the JMT turned into a friendship that will have major repercussions later in our story. For now, just know Eric leaned into his role as the father of this ad hoc trail family.

Eric and Julia would have probably never met any other way. But their chance encounter on the JMT turned into a friendship that will have major repercussions later in our story. For now, just know Eric leaned into his role as the father of this ad hoc trail family.

Eric lived for this grand adventure. But he told Julia he wished he could share it with his wife, Marilyn.

Eric lived for this grand adventure. But he told Julia he wished he could share it with his wife, Marilyn.

The JMT ends just below Mount Whitney, the highest point in the lower 48 states. Eric and Julia both woke early on their last day so they could ascend Whitney's summit for sunrise. As they approached the top, they passed behind a series of pinnacles.

The JMT ends just below Mount Whitney, the highest point in the lower 48 states. Eric and Julia both woke early on their last day so they could ascend Whitney's summit for sunrise. As they approached the top, they passed behind a series of pinnacles.

Returning to civilization after weeks in the wild, without cell service or news from the outside world, can feel jarring. After finishing the JMT, Julia and Devin headed to San Francisco.

Returning to civilization after weeks in the wild, without cell service or news from the outside world, can feel jarring. After finishing the JMT, Julia and Devin headed to San Francisco.