There have many many "discussions" about what a thru-hike is on these forums. Not much on the often used term of "section hike".
According to the ATC web site:A Glossary of Trail Terms from an old Thru-Hikers Handbook reads:"A section-hiker completes the A.T. in multiple trips over a period of years."These definitions seem simple enough. If you are attempting to complete the entire Appalachian Trail over a series of hikes you are a Section Hiker."Section Hiker is a person who is attempting to become a 2,000-Miler by doing a series of section hikes over a period of time"
So why do so many refer to every hike on the trail as a section hike?
Is going out for a weekend hike on the AT a section hike even when you have no intention to do the whole trail in your life time?
I've hiked the trail from Connecticut to the Vermont state line at least six times from two day hikes to one week hikes. Are they all section hikes? Are all the hikes on the AT I've done on parts I've already thru-hiked section hikes? Some people hike certain parts of the trail many times because of closeness or favoritism, is every trip a section hike? Every trip to SMNP or SNP?
Does it matter? Yes it does. For all those that are planning and making the effort, or have actually finished their 2,000 miler they deserve the distinction of a title of Section Hiker. They are working toward or have earned their title of 2,000 miler.
Going out and enjoying a hike on the AT when ever you can is a great experience, but not every trip is a section hike. I've been in and out of the Grand Canyon three times, I don't call them section hikes.