Advice please: AT guidebooks?

imported
#1

Hello all – I’m not new to hiking, but am completely new to AT-world. Please, what would be the best beginner guidebooks (similar to Yogi books) for planning & starting AT from Springer. Many thanks.

McIntyre

#2

If you know Yogi’s books, have you hiked the PCT and/or CDT? If so, I’m in the same boat as you are, new to AT-World. I’m starting the AT with only “The Thru-Hiker’s Handbook”, formerly by Wingfoot. It seems like plenty of info. I bought “The Through-Hiker’s Companion” and gave it away–too much basic information you probably don’t need. There’s also a plain data book out there that does not have town maps. The “Handbook” has Yogi-style town maps and resupply info. I’ll also be hiking with an AT veteran, so I’m not even bringing any maps. It should be really fun following blazes.

Garlic

#3

Garlic – Perfect, thank you, exactly the one-stop-shopping sort of intro I was looking for.

McIntyre

#4

I really recommend the new Appalachian Pages. It is the some size as the Thru Hiker’s Handbook, with the local info in the same section as the trail info (not in the back). It also has topos on each page. Nice! Check it out at www.appalachianpages.com

Red Hat

#5

Good tip, Red Hat, I saw that on Campmor the other day and was going to ask for a review on this forum. Now I’ll buy it, since I only have the '07 Wingfoot book. Thanks!

Garlic

#6

Though you certainly can hike the At just fine with only Wingfoot (or it’s new incarnation), it’s a pretty confining way to hike, with no real info on the areas you’re passing through beyond simple trail information and the few trailtowns featured. I’d suggest buying the full set of state guidebooks and maps as well, even if you only end up dissecting them for the trail. They’ll give you much more on the history (both human and natural) and character of the lands you’ll be passing through. It’s a greatly enriching way to hike, not just “walking the green tunnel” but actually learning the land, what it was and what it is. So when you see that phenomenal view or stumble over a monument or ruin by the trail, you’ll actually be able to what it is that you’re seeing.

Strategic