The 2013 season, weatherwise, is perfectly normal. And so is the thru-hiker attrition rate. In recent days, i.e. the last week, we have brought ZERO people to the airport or bus/train station from Neel Gap so they could go home. The suggestion that there is anything unusual about the 2013 season or its attrition rate, or the suggestion that people are "dropping like flies" is not, in my opinion, supported by facts, nor does this argument seem to be put forth (never mind supported) by people actually on the ground, i.e. people who would be in a position to know. The attrition rate for 2013 is perfectly normal.