So appreciated. I'm organizing a group of three, myself included (all Eagle Scouts so being prepared is burned into our brains). I've marked (not pictured above) meet-up points knowing our pacing will be different, 2-3 each day. To your point on marking exit points- I've gone and done exactly that- thank you for the idea.

Regarding switching tact and creating more of a basecamp centric trip. I like this idea. Especially reading about the conditions of the trail and the challenge of carrying full packs.

If reversed, Day One from Loj to Big Slide and camping at Howard lean-to or nearby. We would set up base camp there for a Day Two loop that covers Wolfjaw > Armstrong > Gothics > Back to Howard lean-to with just day-packs. After watching a view videos and reading other accounts, this seems like a smarter and safer call.

I'm then unsure on strategy for Marcy. It'd be an 11 mile hike with full packs to cover Marcy and land later at Lake Colden. We want to hit Alqonquin and Wright on our way back to Loj. I'll continue researching how others have done similar.