As a trail journal junkie, I make it a point to follow the trials and tribulations of those anxious hikers who are so eager to get going that they are willing to walk into impossible odds by starting far too early. So far I only see one on TJ with the trail name of "Good Rain" that is starting today. There are bound to be several others who are starting who are not on TJ. Despite all the advice to the contrary about starting early they will try it every year. No matter what we might say here on Whiteblaze about how miserable it will be, a handfull will doggedly try every year. In almost every case it's a highly inexperienced, first timer. In many cases they have obsessed about a thru-hike in TJ for a year or more and have dozens of pre-hike postings. I wonder what it is that makes them tick? There is no rational reason for doing it. They clearly can't be deterred. It's a mystery. Good luck is all I can say, I hope they make it to Neel's Gap at least.