Jim:

I see two basic types of people on the Trail. Hikers who camp are those who want to go from point A to point B and must stop to set up camp for the evening so that they can continue on. Campers who hike are those who want to go from campsite A to campsite B and they must hike to get there.

Hikers have culled their gear to the essentials and increased their skills. Campers carry a lot of extras 'just in case' and hope they can use their cell phone in case of emergency.

These are very generalized definitions. I was out on the AT in Maryland this past week and basically saw both types. Some were hikers who are "in training" and many were campers who "sherpa-ed" more weight than I could with extras that reminded me of "car camping."

Coosa