Zombies, a new perennial threat on New York trails apparently, which makes a good case to avoid them. If backpacking numbers were falling off, there would be a similar effect in the retail and manufacturing of the equipment used in the activity. Popular trails that lure many people to them annually including many sections of the AT may be losing popularity with backpackers who have a wealth of other options they can pursue and get away from crowds at certain times of the year, creating the illusion of growing scarcity.