I am not asking why you or I attempt a thru hike but why does the average person so want to hike from Springer to Katahdin? ATC stats show that 2500 or so left Springer Mountain in 2014 intending on hiking to Katahdin. A full 50 % were done by Harper's Ferry.. just over 1000 miles up the trail.
This suggest to me that most of the hikers didn't know what they were getting into.

Beyond these 2500, some crazy higher number must be thinking of hiking the trail. What brings so darned many to this trail? is it just publicity or is it more than that?


And what ever hiking the trail " to seek fellowship with the wilderness) as the plaque on Springer says. I don't think most thru hikers are seeking fellowship with the wilderness.