We have now joined the John Muir trail, leaving the day hikers and fishermen
behind in favor of real backpackers. We meet a man probably in his
early 60's coming from the other direction, as we take a quick snack break.
We chat with him and find out he is also from the Bay Area and started his
journey at Kennedy Meadows, just southwest of Mt. Whitney, 19 days and 190
miles ago. He was one of several people in a group independently making the
same trip. We tell him we had talked to two others from the 'group' this
morning- they were from somewhere in Texas, and this guy acknowledges that
he knows whom we are referring to.
Suddenly, out of the blue, the old man asks "Hey, do you guys mind if I fart?"
We admire his politeness in asking and say that it's okay with us, but our
acquiesence is probably moot because practically before the words leave our
mouths, the poots leave his butt...
He then proceeds to explain that where he comes from (?), that is known as a 'Rocky Mountain Barking Spider'. Somewhat befuddled but amused we chat some more before bidding him adieu. I'll bet this guy is about as close as one can get to a John Muir analogue these days.