In the beginning thru hiking was considered a stunt. Earl proved them wrong, but copying his feat was no easy task and such accomplishments were few and far between. As the decades rolled on hiking gear has evolved and trends have come and gone. Thru hiking has become popular and then waned and then become popular again. Within my own lifetime I have witnessed the increased popularity of internal frame packs and alcohol stoves.
So I wonder what the next evolutions for thru hiking will be? Any thoughts or predictions?