Here is my report that I promised two posts ago about how many thru hikers this year:
I hiked from Deep Gap, NC heading South to Dicks Creek, GA. I left at 9:10 and arrived at 4:55. During this time I crossed paths with about 120 people of which I guessed that 101 are thru hikers. Some told me they were thru hikers but most I determined from their packs. Many had the blue tags from the ATC.
It is very likely some in my count are long distance section hikers but none are day hikers like myself (unless they were practicing by bringing all their gear).
Of the 101, the breakdown was 71 male, 30 women. About half of the women were with a male companion and the other half were solo. There were also 6 dogs.
At the end some were already camping, and in the beginning I likely missed seeing the more determined hikers who were already past Deep Gap when I started. Several hikers said they started Wednesday (3/30) which IMO is really booking it.