Is there a problem with those books? the data book is not available , what exactly do I need to do? whill I be needing the new editiions?
My friend intend to hike and is a bit worrying.
zammy
Data and companion books
system
#1
system
#2
I’ve seen chatter on internet lists that the Data Book and Oregon/Washington Guidebooks are being updated. I would be very surprised if the new editions were not available before this years’ hikers need them. You might try calling the PCTA 916-349-2109 to check on the status.
yogi
yogi
system
#3
I’d heard the Data Book will be available sometime around early February. Wingfoot’s Handbook just came out and is equivalent to the Data Book (trailplace.com). The Companion I don’t know, but you don’t need that anyway.
You do need either the Data Book or the Handbook, but if your friend already has one that’s a couple years old, he can get by fine with that one. You won’t miss much with an older version, just the random trail relocation or a new shelter here or there, no big deal.
0101
system
#6
0101,
You are correct that those using an older A.T. guidebook (I can’t speak with experience about the P.C.T.) may “only” be missing info about an A.T. relo or a new shelter. But they may also be missing a lot more up-to-date info about what’s OFF-trail if they don’t have the freshest edition(s).
Hostels, stores for resupply, lodging all come and go every year. Policies change–for instance, re: pets, how many hikers are allowed in a room, etc. So do rates. By relying on outdated info, you may show up after a long hike or hitch somewhere that doesn’t even exist anymore, or that has had bad experiences with previous hikers and doesn’t want to deal with you. You may also miss out on new places of interest to hikers–a trail angel that lets you stay in town in his/her backyard for free, an ice cream stand a short distance from a trail crossing.
“Skyline”