MB - the example may be extreme, but the situation where a decision to 'retire' should be made is not. It's not only ill equipped morons that get rescued in the mountains after all. I'm really referring to situations where an unexpected factor enters the equation. This could be weather conditions, lack of water, biting off more than you can chew ...
I agree with you that when you set out on a trek, wherever it is, the 'pressure to perform' is always there, usually self-imposed but peer pressure is also a consideration. However I also believe that the unexpected might be around the next corner, wherever you are, which is why I made the point. You're quite right in your point about self-perception; what I'm saying is that care should be taken that this perception doesn't override the safety of the individual (or group).
As to whether an LDP can be split into smaller chunks, it has to be in my case as my work does not allow me to take holidays in excess of 2 weeks. In fact when Tony Drake devised the Cambrian Way, he actually defined the 3 sections into which it could be split, so he obviously felt there was nothing wrong with doing this. A lot of people obviously follow his suggestions, since there is a book for Cambrian Way walkers to sign at YHA Capel-y-ffin, which asks how far the walker is going, and a large number state the end of Mr. Drake's first section as their objective for the trip.
S.