AT Guide Books - Appalachian Trail

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#1 
									I am starting an AT thru-hike in a month, what guidebooks are best to take alone? Is it Wingfoot's book, the Thru-Hiker's Companion, or Data Book? Which one of these has the most in-depth info about the trail, as well as locations of off-trail amenities? Thanks.

									_ruff-n-ready_
#2 
									Wingfoot no longer does the Thru-Hikers Handbook, it is now done by Bob McCaw.  It is a good book, but the amenities are a totally different section than the trail info.  I suggest you check out the new Appalachian Pages at www.appalachianpages.com It has the amenity info with the trail info, as well as topos.  Comes in NOBO or SOBO editions. Very well done.

									_Red Hat_
#3 
									Is this a new book? I have never heard other hikers mention it....

Why is it better than the Thruhiker’s handbook or the Companion?

									_German Tourist_
#4 
									I personally thought the Companion combined with the official maps were the best overall sources when I thru-hiked last year.  I don't know about this new appalachian pages though.  A lot of people carried wingfoot's book...and a lot of people complained when it was wrong.  In all 14 states, I only found two spots in the entire companion that were wrong. (and they were both very minor).  The 08' companion just came out (and has fellow 07' thru-hikers stitch and figgy on the cover and back cover.)

It kind of all depends on what you want though. The data book as all the mile by mile info that the companion has and is much lighter. What you lose though, are all the descriptions and details of places to eat, stay, or get gear.

For me, it was worth the extra weight. I loved being able to look ahead a few days and think…“ooo, there’s a diner .6 miles east off the trail in two days. Can’t wait!”

As far as the maps…that was just my thing. I loved having the elevation profiles and knowing what was coming. Some hikers though, liked being surprised every day.

hope that helps and I am about to go check out these appalachianpages…

good luck!

									_lakewood_
#5 
									The Appalachian Pages is a new handbook for hiking the AT by David Miller and Rick Towle. Similar to the Thru-Hiker's Handbook, but with the local info on adjacent pages to the trail info.  Now you don't have to turn to the back of the book...  Each page also has a topo profile of the area. The Companion is fine, I personally just don't like the long thin spiral design as well. 

									_Red Hat_
#6 
									The spiral binding that used to hold the Companion together was changed to what is known as "perfect binding" two or three years ago. It is essentially the same kind of binding used for the Thru-Hiker's Handbook, Appalachian Pages, and almostr all commercially available paperback books.

									_Skyline_