Culture of the AT at different times of year

imported
#1 
									I'm new to the AT but I'm reading all about it and have an unanswered question:

Although most thru-hikers from either direction start in the Spring, I’m wondering at any given time of year, what characterizes the people (hiking any length, not just thru hikers) and their “culture” at various places on the trail?

Where and when are the greatest concentrations of people in general, as well as characters like “wimpy tourists”, “minimalists”, “egalitarians”, young folks, old folks, west-coasters, tech-industry, farmers, “hippies”, “rednecks”, “foreigners”, etc you name it?

I realize people will have differing answers based on their individual experiences, but I think it would be interesting for everyone (including me!) to see the responses.

									_Geo_
#2 
									Birds of a feather flock together.  Despite the vast diversity of long distance hikers who come from a cross section US an international cultures they all seem to come together in a cooperative effort that is almost devoid of conflict.  After a few weeks on the trail they all start looking, sounding, acting and possibly smelling the same.  The shared labors each day has an effect of bringing them together.  They start out solo and end up on a team with all the characteristics of team.

If you want to see concentrations of the characters you seek go to trail-days in Damascus.

									_Francis_