I am confused, too much informatio regarding maps and guides.
All I want is one guide book with maps in it, and all the data I need on the trail.
As I don’t live in the US, I don’t really know what are the guides like and ordering them all just to check them out seems outragouse, so you people out there do give me a hint :which one?
zammy
I’m not sure if there’s a book with maps. But I used wingfoot’s book, and thought it was great. It’s a mile-by-mile description, with maps od trail towns and much detail and history on everything. Also wingfoot spends some time inserting his trail ethic, which was useful to many who were not familiar with local customs. However, I’m sure many will offer the “hike your own hike” cliche, but you can take his advise or leave it. He’s hiked the trail 7 times, and updates it each year from other experienced hikers: www.trailplace.com. You really don’t need maps AT ALL on the AT, unless you’ll be there in the middle of winter. Some people just carry the ATC’s “data book”, which just gives raw milage data on water sources, campsites, ect. At one point, I used both. When I do the AT again, I’m taking wingfoot.
Tha Wookie
First, I advocate bringing along trail maps. You never know when you might need to bail out. Without maps, you don’t know what the best choice is. To my knowledge, there is not a single publication with all maps. You need to get the entire series of maps or guides.
Other than that, assuming that you are thru-hiking, you need to resupply. To figure this out, you need either the ALDHA Companion or Wingfoot’s Handbook. If you buy the Companion, then you need the AT Data Book also. It gives you the mileage. Wingfoot has the mileage listed in it.
AT Guide books are not usually carried, nor needed along the trail.
Peaks
zammy you could go to whiteblaze.com and search for Baltimore Jacks Original Article on Resupply. His info gives you trail town info, tho not complete like wingfoots or the ALDHA, but it would keep you informed, along with additional info from your hiking buds. I am having that mailed to me a section at a time along with the maps that coincide. I used this to plan maildrops, which I have few, but along with the forum, people I meet on the trail, Baltimore Jack’s sheets, and a phone list of several previous thruhikers, I think I am good to go without purchasing more stuff. From my limited time researching, most people go for and advertise freely that wingfoots book is the standard, whether they like him or his style or not.
I didn’t order his book because several people said they ordered his book, only by check, and didn’t get it until after Damascus. Bad press, maybe, but I prefer Visa and overnight mail when I am on and under a 30 day count down. My guess is you would be in PA and your wingfoot would finally make it to Israel. hahaha I honestly shouldn’t say that. I only know of 2 people who hiked out without their book and didn’t get it till much later than their start date…by a month or more.
Burn
Zammy,
There is a free online companion from ALDHA that you can find here…
http://www.aldha.org/comp_pdf.htm
It gives milage, shelter info, town info, etc.
I used it on my hike and It worked just fine.
Jersey Joe
I’d recommend wingfoot’s book, it worked great for me. If you take it, you can cut the book into quarters and carry less at a time, also you won’t wear out the later sections as fast. If you don’t want to deal with postage and all that, Walasi-yi is ~30 miles from Springer and they usually carry it.
Skittles
I’ve got the Companion but the “Flying Scotsman” (2003) said Wingfoots was much better. What do I know? The companion seems good for basic planning, distances between shelters and town stop info. I’ve got it now so i’ve got no choice (til I get there of course, i could always ditch it or swap it). By the way, I’m not in the U.S either, it didn’t take very long for the book to come, about a week and a half.
Ross
Ross
I ordered wingfoots book with a check and received it within the time he specified. I have that and ALDHA. They are very compatable. I am not carring the maps because I made the decision based on this and other forams not to. I guess I’ll just be lost.
pops1
I ordered a 2004 book,and recieved it in less time then it takes a check to clear.
Onlyone
You really do not need anything for the AT… It is very easy to follow… The data book really gives you everything you need in terms of mileage, upcoming towns and road crossings and supposed water spots. I have to admit that prior to hiking in 2000 I worried about this crap a lot… This year I go with only the data book and I may burn that on the bridge by Uncle Johnnies… Some people really enjoy looking at a set of numbers and oohing and ahhing over the climbs and descents they will face that day… Cool. Me, I’m gonna fire up a centurian battle spliff turn up the Marley and hike on, up/down, wet/dry, hot/cold…
Peace and love to all hiking this year…
aswah the ignant
Aswah