[pct-l] The HERD on the AT is . . . disappearing!

[Slyatpct at aol.com]

In a message dated 3/14/2007 1:54:01 PM Eastern Daylight Time,  
dsaufley at sprynet.com writes:

I  understand from others that the big peak on the AT came after Bill 
Bryson's "A  Walk in the Woods" hit the shelves (much to the changrin of the locals 
along  the AT).  It would be interesting to see the relative numbers of  
finishers for each year.  



--------------------------------------
 
Numbers are down but the percentage of finishers are up.  Of course,  many 
dispute this.  According to the ATC in order to qualify for 2000-miler  status 
you should have hiked the entire white blazed trail.  Much of the AT  has been 
re-routed and many take old AT or blue-blazes at a whim.  Some may  even 
"yelow blaze" or skip sections.  
 
here are the recent stats...
 
_http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.jkLXJ8MQKtH/b.851143/k.C36D/2000Milers
_Facts_and_Statistics.htm_ 
(http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.jkLXJ8MQKtH/b.851143/k.C36D/2000Milers_Facts_and_Statistics.htm) 
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