This is Dirt, with whom I briefly crossed paths at about mile TK on the PCT. We had a short but interesting conversation that’s still very alive for me. Our brief dialogue touched on two or three or so topics, but seemed full of the immense uncertainty of human life.
Quite possibly I might never see this person again. On the other hand, who knows, in another world I might fall into a rhythm of walking with him and we could become trail buddies.
We started to chat a little and I asked him if I could take his picture.
He shrugged. “I always mean to take more pictures of people on the trail, but I don’t do it.”
Dirt was in pursuit of a friend he made in the Sierra. He said his buddy was about 160 miles ahead of him. He wanted to catch him so they could make it to Canada together.
“He’s doing twenty-five mile days,” Dirt said. “So that means I have to do thirties.”
Kit Stolz 
Wonderful account of a passing moment, leaves many questions: How did he get so far behind? Will he catch up? Why is it important? Maybe this can only be on the trail, or a life mission. Food for thought indeed.
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Thank you! Well, to try to answer one of those questions: the journey through the Sierra is so challenging that it’s a crucible for the formation of deeper friendships. As ol’ Bob Dylan puts it: “Strange how people who suffer together have stronger connections than people who are most content.” (From the great “Brownsville Girl”: https://www.bobdylan.com/songs/brownsville-girl/) I speculate that Dirt wants the gratification of meaning that comes from completing the 2650 mile challenge with the best friend he made along the way.
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