You might be surprised. I did the PCT which was significantly longer, and I met baristas, grocery store clerks, long haul truck drivers and so on doing it. Living in a tent is pretty cheap, and that's why homeless people do it.

was thinking the same - can't do this with a job, spouse, children or pets. who the flip has 3 to 5 months to spare?

if you're lucky enough to live to retirement age I can't see long distance walking and camping being much fun with 70-year-old bones (and bladder)