I have a friend (woman) who has done the whole AT twice, solo, at 68 and 70 years old.
To each their own.
God bless her.
My neighbor has done it - he’s an old guy though. Makes me sooo jealous. As a middle-aged woman who is certain that a bear is going to attack every time I step out of my backdoor - I am a poor candidate for a very long hike through the woods alone. Well, alone except for the random occasional musty dude. Some of those would be there, I am sure. *shudder*
The AT is well traveled and there are always rangers patrolling. I just finished reading a great book by an Englishman, Keith Foskett, who detailed his AT journey. He has also done the Pacific Crest Trail and soon the Continental Divide Trail. It’s interesting to read how many well conditioned hikers fall short of completion, it must be brutal. Yes, he did see a lot of bears but was never bothered as one has to take precautions with the food.
It’s a rare thru-hiker who is not solo much of the time.