Bret,
The only reason someone cannot get up the MMWT in a given year is a lack of trying.
I have never entered the lottery for this trail but I have been up it but mostly down it a bunch.
The last time up it was 7/22/08, I walked in the ESIVC asked for and received a MMWT backpacking permit for that day. I was on the trail before noon. When I go in for other permits, I usually ask if there are MMWT permits available...the answer has always been yes.
