Peer,
now thats what i call a post!
People I meet out in the mountains often stop for a chat. Its amazing how setting up a bivvie on a mountain side, fire going and a brew on makes people feel 'safe'. Weird, but if I was sat there with nothing they would never stop to talk. My point being that they are curious as to why I am there. I explain a little (never too much) and have enetered into email discussions with a few of them.
I take this period as a time for learning, a time for deep reflection on whats within, and most importantly, a time to start letting go of what i think I need, and concentrating on what i know I will need in the future.