[pct-l] Herd on the AT

[Slyatpct at aol.com]

pdhoffma at swbell.net writes:

I  remember looking at the AT website several years ago when earlier years  
statistics were still available.   It was the publication of  Bryson's book 
that was mostly responsible for a big spike which has been  tapering down.  
Bryson's book was published in 1999 and was on the best  seller list, maybe number 
1 for awhile.  In 2000 there were supposedly  over 2900 starters, which was 
something like double the year before, as I  remember.   
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Do you seriously think the majority of hikers that year read the book  before 
only a year before and thought, "Hey, I'm going to hike the AT just like  a 
failed Bill Bryson?"
 
The numbers increased leading up to 2000 well before the book came  out.  But 
perhaps you're right, we'll see once the movie comes out.   IMO, even the 
ever popular AT needs new blood.
 
Sly 

 
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