Hey ATers…
Is anyone familiar with the Mapdanna currently being sold by the ATC? There are four, divided into respective sections. Is this a gimmicky product or is it an actual substitute for the Data Book?
Thanks…
The Wandering Bull
FT05, GA -> ?? 05
The Wandering Bull
IMHO, Mapdanna is not a substitute for a map. I don’t think they have the details needed (Would you use a road map for hiking?).
Publications like the data book, Wingfoot’s Handbook, and the ALDHA Companion all complement a map, and are not substitutes for a map.
Peaks
The Mapdanna is a worthwhile product and I in fact have a couple, but the Data Book has more info. So does the Handbook and Companion. If you plan to use a large bandanna anyway and you don’t mind the cost of this one–the Mapdanna can be useful as an easy-to-grab reference while hiking and of course, as a bandanna.
It most certainly is no substitute for a real topo map, but I don’t think it is intended to be.
Skyline
It really depends upon what you’re looking for… the size and format of the Mapdana limits the information that it can provide. If you want to know about various “off Trail” sightseeing opportunities, or where the next small “possible” water source is, then the Mapdana won’t help much. If you want to know where you are, in general, or how far it is to the next recognized camping/sheltering area, or where the next “town opportunity” is, then the Mapdana will do just fine.
I did the entire AT GA–>ME thing in 2004, with only a Mapdana and a few “select” pages from the ALDHA’s ‘Thru Hiker Companion’ as reference sources… bought the appropriate Mapdanas along the way (at Trail Days in Damascus and at outfitters along the Trail) as I “used up” the earlier ones.
It does a great job as a general reference source and - unlike paper - doesn’t turn to “pulp” if it gets wet… and it serves well as a LARGE bandana!! Also, the whole set makes for a nice ‘wall hanging’ in your workshop or “rec room”, when you’re through with your hike… after washing out the blood, sweat, tears (of pain and of joy!), mud, muck, mire, root rubbings, log thrashings and rock rubble, of course!
I must say, though, that I did TRY (there were no copies available ANYWHERE along the Trail!??) to pick up a copy of ‘Wingnut’ by the time I hit Connecticut… I decided that I needed to know more specifics about where I was at any point in time… I missed a few off Trail “must sees” that I just didn’t know even existed. Also, I realized that - AFTER my hike - I would need something with more detail so that I could cross-reference my trip pics to my daily journal entries, and be able to tell WHERE the pics were taken!
(BTW - thanks for giving me your copy of ‘Wingnut’, Pippin… it’s become one of my memorabilia treasures !!!).
Although the Mapdana does provide general elevation information for key man-made and geographical landmarks, it DOES NOT give you a very good idea as to what elevation gains/losses to expect, as you travel between those landmarks!! For me, that was not an issue, because I’d likely have died of dread, had I known in advance how grueling some of my hiking days were going to be… a big plus, from my point of view! Haaaaarrrrrrr!
BUT… there’s ALWAYS someone around with a profile and/or topo map and/or ‘Wingnut’/‘Dataless Book’/‘whatever’… so if you really MUST know “what’s up ahead today?”, most folks are more than happy to share the news with you… good AND bad!
Hope this didn’t just confuse the issue!?
TBott
My take on the mapdannas after using them also on my 2004 thru hike is this - if you know hiking and are comfortable letting come what may (or will) then they work fine - those requiring highly detailed info, better carry the other three reference guides and maps - I had my own note pages from the databook, companion and from wingnuts book, looked at the maps when others had them, and generally found that often it was better not to know anymore than the mapdanna could supply. By the way - they are great bandannas - 100% cotton - absorbent, won’t melt when using as a potholder, you know…
Scuba