According to sources I've checked, no one has ever been killed by lightning on the AT.
Having said that, I am in full agreement with what dweste wrote above.
No one is forcing anyone to hike alone or with a group unless you're in the military.
Do what you will and don't hurt anyone else.
JohnE
_________________________
JohnE
"and all the lousy little poets
comin round
tryin' to sound like Charlie Manson"
The Future/Leonard Cohen