At the midpoint of the trail (we don't know how he knew this, but he did) he came across a group of people arguing.

Seventeen people pointed to the east, thirteen to the north, twenty-two pointed west, and four started walking south. To the south the man could see a glow brighter than he had ever imagined. He thought this must be heaven and started following along with the small elite group of four. A few steps in, he noticed the trees were charred black and he stopped.