I suppose it depends on how strictly you define the trail and what a thru hike means for the SHT, as it can be somewhat subjective. The lower section of the SHT is not “backpack-able” due to camping restrictions. In order to do a thru hike, you are restricted to the upper section. This then begs the question on whether section hiking would count, but this is what a lot of folks argue about on the AT all the time, not to mention blue blazing, yellow blazing, etc. In interviewing Fronkey, he section hiked the lower portions multiple times during training leading up to the event, so it is clear he hiked the entire trail in a season. He also had to take a short break mid-hike due to his dog getting poisoned. Is it a true thru? Well, for me, I’m satisfied.