I think the answer to the original Car Talk puzzle does not scale, in that 2 pilgrims can reach the destination by using less than 2 times the helpers. --- spoiler alert --- Car Talk asks for delivery of 1 pilgrim a distance of 6 days travel away, and each person can carry a max of 4 days rations. I think 2 helpers are required, but one helper returns with 1 day worth of unused rations. (Alternatively, the party can depart with only 11 person-days of rations.) If the party is allowed to hide rations along the way, 3 helpers can deliver 2 pilgrims, a delivery rate of 2/5 that is > 1/3. 5 depart fully loaded. After 1 day, there are 15 person-days of rations left. The next morning, 2 pilgrims and 1 helper continue forward, each fully loaded. 2 helpers return to base, each with 1 day of rations. And 1 day of rations is hidden at the overnight location. It seems like there should be some parameters that would lead to helpers turning back, and/or stashing rations, at fractional days distance, but I don't see an example case. -- Mike