The trail doesn’t need anymore hostels, B&Bs or anything. Back in the early 80s hikers had to pack about 10 days of stuff as there were few trail towns. Now there’s a hostel or something every few days. The hikers I met rarely complained about packing 50 pound loads and the completion rate wasn’t much different. The gram weenies now can’t shoulder a 30 pound pack and then leave used gear and trash everywhere. The AT is no longer the challenge it used to be its a party hike to Trail Days in Damascus then disappear. Some providing services these days are just wanting to make money and haven’t really done much LDX backpacking.