I am sure this has been in discussion prior, but this is more about MY feeling of becoming marginalized so please be patient.
I had my first AT experience with my two ~20yo boys three weeks ago in a nine day HF to Waynesboro trek. That was very therapeutic for me and I am pining for a lot more for myself. I met some great people along the way and had a challenging but very doable experience. I am 54 and in the best shape of my life at this juncture. I am feeling that I could make 25-30mpd without a problem.
My lamentation stems from what is about to happen on the AT with the three adventuring films released in the past year. I am on the Trail for solitude, self discovery and learning, mental therapy, physical and mental challenges, a disconnection from daily life noise and static, and a connection to the natural and embracing the unknown.
This will likely not be the case in the next three-four years as the media bubble of activity will change the face of the AT. I predict three/four years because we all know the dichotomy between the romantic idea of the AT and its harsh realities. While ecotourism has proven useful in some places, it has a nasty habit of wiping clean the very traditional natural and cultural experiences that one came to see in the first place. The ATC will have to produce a valiant effort in these next few years to maintain the Trail, and the experience of the Trail.
In my needs on the Trail, this bubble will not affect a small part of it, but the majority of my needs will be adversely affected, and I feel this loss even though I am new to this. I am a HS teacher and want to do a Thru but that much time away is not really feasible so I am resigned to likely doing two Section hikes- each originating at HF, over two summers.
My single regret about this whole thing that is about to happen is that I did not begin extended hiking/primitive camping the AT (or hiking in general) until three weeks ago. I just wish now that I had begun after I graduated HS in '79.