Local radio station reported on the PCT from Toulumne Meadows, where the resupply line at the Post Office counted in the dozens, while the PCTA reports thru-hike permits were up tenfold this year (3,000 vs 300).

Never underestimate the power of an idea, well-packaged.

It's a perfect (non)storm of media focus and the missing winter that has far more folks attempting the thing and assuring a much higher than typical fraction will finish. As far as I'm concerned we needed something to kickstart backpacking with millenials, so in balance I'm happy for this result. Longterm, we'll have more pull when it comes to the inevitable clash of interests in how the backcountry is managed and where precious resources are expended (think trail maintenance versus logging road construction).

So, I suppose I must say thanks to Reese Witherspoon.

Cheers,