I met Floyd Wick right about mile 1000. He was hiking south, heading towards Tuolumne Meadows, where his wife would meet him for a time on his way, from Burney Falls to Whitney, if memory serves. He said he had served twenty-six years in the military and his wife had served for twenty years in the diplomatic corps, and they figured they had done their duty, raised their kids, and now they were going to enjoy their retirement. And he was having fun coming down the trail, having (he indicated) already walked in this fashion from Wyoming to Washington.
Wick said he carried an eighteen-pound pack and tried to stay out no more than two or three days at a time if possible. I didn’t realize it talking to him but the day before he had come over what I like to call the Martian Pass, which is no small feat, but didn’t mention it and had no ill effects whatsoever.
Note the bear spray. This veteran is ready for anything.
Kit Stolz 