Naomi Robert - Comments 1 and 2

I think that Kaila brought up a very good point. A very strong motive for Katz going on the hike is because of his $600 debt to Bryson. Recently, Katz has been trying to clear up his life and his conscience, and in some ways Katz probably felt obligated. This fact helps to explain why Katz doesn’t mind hiking alone, behind Bryson – he wants to give Bryson some space, because he is already in Bryson’s debt.

I think it is unusual how everyone read so deeply into Katz’s motive for coming. In further reflection on this question, I think that Katz may have wanted to come along simply because he thought of the hike as an adventure! Katz clearly likes to live for thrills and excitement (shown in his partying days), and probably thought such a daunting task would be another way to “live on the edge.”