When does Westerberg encounter McCandless again?

• A. The next day; he gets a ride to the next town.
• B. The couple weeks later; gives him a job on the grain elevator and rents him a room.
• C. A year later; invites him to a family dinner.
• D. Never; they never meet again.

Answer: (B)

A couple weeks later, in Carthage, South Dakota, Wayne Westerberg reconnects with McCandless and offers him a job at the grain elevator and a room to rent. This moment matters because it shows how McCandless’ path, while fueled by independence and travel, still relies on real people providing practical help. The job gives him money and purpose, and the room gives him shelter and a bit of stability during a period of constant movement. This connection also highlights Westerberg’s generosity and becomes a pivotal, humanizing stop in McCandless’s journey before he heads off toward Alaska.