SlingShot,
Excellent feedback, thank you. Duly noted.
Grampie,
Perhaps dividing a thru-hike into 2 pieces does make it more likely that a thru-hike will turn into a section-hike. That may turn out to be a good thing for some.
The longer you are out there, the more it can become about just doing the miles, and toward the end, just getting it over with to say you've done it.
Benton MacKaye, the founder of the Appalachian Trail, said that the purpose of the Appalachian Trail is "To walk, to see, and to see what you see."
A section-hike allows you a lot more freedom. You can hike entire Trail in the fall, hike the entire Trail in the springtime, pick the prime time to enjoy each section, avoid the crowds, meet the thru-hikers, or whatever it is about the A.T. experience you most enjoy.
You can keep your job and not miss birthdays, anniversaries, and other highlights in the lives of the ones you love.