So, this weekend I hiked Allen's Gap to Devil's Fork Gap and back and saw over 20 thru hikers.
I spent some time at Little Laurel shelter eating lunch with a few and I couldn't help but reflect on this being the 4th year of thru hikers I've seen on the AT.
As an observation, I couldn't help but notice how caught up in it they were, about all the trail magic they had received, who was ahead of them, who was behind them, how many miles they were doing, etc. etc, etc, etc., etc.
This time last year there was a completely different bunch out there doing the same thing, thinking the same things, talking about the same things - and now they're all back in their regular lives and many of them may never hike again.
And the cycle will repeat again this year.... For now and for them, it's "All about me." and I guess that's the way it's supposed to be.
Also, it's good to see that the role of "Control Person" is still in effect. Ever notice how there is always one person in a group hiking together that needs to be in charge of "Central Planning and Control"? :-)