Honest hiker helps another. (The Goodness of America).

In August 1975, Roy Huff of Winnetka, California, attempted to climb 13,000-foot University Peak in the eastern Sierra Nevada mountain range with three friends. The climb proved more onerous than expected, and as darkness approached they stopped short of the top and began their descent. On the way down, Huff and another hiker opted for a shortcut, and while traversing an icy stretch Huff slipped, taking himself and his friend for a slide down the ice sheet. They suffered only a few minor bruises, but Huff's brown leather wallet slipped from his pocket during the slide and was lost. It contained such items as business cards, a driver's license, Social Security card, and $37 in cash.

A few weeks ago, backpacker Glenn Rasrnuson of San Diego and two friends were hiking in the same area when Rasmuson found the weathered billfold and its faded contents wedged between some rocks. But rather than merely discard the wallet and pocket the money, he launched a search for its owner.

Information on the Social Security card and driver's license had been rendered unreadable, but he was able to decipher Huff's name and address from a membership card. That enabled him to locate a current phone number on the Internet. He called Huff to confirm that he was indeed the owner, then mailed the billfold and its contents to him.

Huff was understandably both appreciafive and surprised. "It's not much to look at," he told the Daily News, adding, "It's a miracle it's still in one piece."