I figured someone else had to eventually pick him up after the first woman dropped him off, so I'm glad we're hearing that account now. I am not surprised at all that two (or possibly more yet unheard of) people picked him up. There is a bit of a different mindset/mentality in national parks, wilderness areas, etc. I myself personally would NOT pick up a hitch hiker even there, but many people do who would not normally at home. It is not at all uncommon for hikers to do a long-ish one-way hike and then hitch back to their car at the other end. It's also not that uncommon for people who work in the national park (especially seasonal employees - sometimes college students, etc) to not have transportation (especially in non-pandemic years when they may be from out of the country) and to hitch rides to get into town or around the park. I am not saying I think it's a great idea to pick up hitch hikers, just that it is a different type of world in these communities and a sort of kinship among park-goers, hikers, etc.
IMO based on being a part of this community (though one who doesn't pick up strangers )
IMO based on being a part of this community (though one who doesn't pick up strangers )