at a shelter on my recent trip a thru hiker informed me of her intention to wake up early to try and hike 20 miles the next day. i said that was fine, it wont bother me. at something like 4 her alarm goes off and i hear her whisper to another hiker that she doesnt want to pack up in the dark. long story short i was packed up and heading out at 7:30am while they were sitting at the picnic table eating a huge breakfast.
the "thru hikers" really are cute that far south, i have to say.
all that said, i would consider waking most of the hikers at a hostel up at 4am as fair comeuppance for most likely them being awake and noisy at 11pm the night before, though i'm sure an innocent bystander or two might get caught in the crossfire.