What’s the difference between the ATC Thru-Hiker’s Companion and the Data Book? Does the Companion have the mileage tables that the DataBook has? Is the DataBook a slimmed down Companion?
steve hiker
ATC Companion vs. DataBook
system
#2
I don’t know what is in this year’s companion. ALDHA is constantly improving it. But, at least in the past, the Companion provided details predominately on towns and resupply options for the thru-hiker along the way. Things like simplified maps of towns so you can find the laundrymat, grocery store, post office, etc.
The data book was predominately that. A list of features along the trail. At a given mileage, there is a shelter. At anther mile point, there is a spring. At another mile point there is a road crossing. It is x miles to a certain town that has a store and post office.
To thru-hike, you need both. The data book to tell you how far ahead things are, and the companion to provide details on what to expect when you get there.
Peaks
system
#3
The Companion has a mileage table for shelters at the beginning of every section chapter. The tables tell you how many miles a shelter is from Springer Mt, how many miles it is from the AT, and how far it is from the last shelter.
Celt
system
#4
You might also consider the Thru-Hiker’s Handbook by Dan Bruce. It’s kind of a mix of the other 2 books. It has the mileage points, spring information and town info/maps, etc. We used it the whole way and several of our buddies that were using the Data Book kept borrowing our book to get more info. I won’t go into the discussion on the author!
Bramble
system
#5
Bramble- the set up of this year’s Handbook is much different than it has been in the past.
Two sections - one just like the data book and the other is the info section. It looks like the info section does not have the amount of information it once had; very much a shortened version of what it once was. Mileage is no longer listed next to the descriptions, so you have to flip back and forth between the two. Not as convenient as it once was.
If you would like to see what it is like, he has sample pages up for viewing on his site.
Pushing Up Daisies
system
#7
Another convenient feature of the Companion is that you can download the whole book at their web site so you only have to take the pertinent pages with you, while sending other sections in your mail drops.
Lady Di
system
#8
I used the Companion on my thru-hike attempt last year and had to send home for the Data Book because I needed the mileage charts. This year I’m starting over at Springer and I’m using Wingfoot’s Thru-Hiker’s Handbook. It seems to have the best information in a single, compact format. The entire book weighs just 6 oz. I originally intended to rip it up into sections, but instead I’ve decided to take the whole thing as is. Check it out at trailplace.com!
Tom