Maps and phone service

imported
#1

My name is Stealth and I am planning on hiking the PCT this spring. I have purchased a plan ticket for the 8th of May and am very excited about my plans for a fun summer.

I personally, have around 8,000 miles of hiking experience on the AT. Along the way I have noticed that it is very hard to get lost when hiking on the AT. I was hoping the PCT might be similar. My understanding from the recent literature is that maps may be necessary along Fuller Ridge and in the Sierras. Otherwise, the trail should be easy to follow. Is this a correct assessment?

I would prefer to carry the minimum information along the way to help keep the pack weight low. I was hoping a few data pages and the corresponding ones from Yogi’s town guides might do the trick.

Also, my girl back home will want me to carry a phone. I would love to tell her that reception might be too sparse for me to bring it. Might this be true?

What are your thoughts on these subjects?
Thank you for your time and advice.

stealthblew

#2

Regarding phone service…Does an i-phone need cellular service for its GPS and/or down loaded maps/books to be accessible?

stealthblew

#3

Hi Stealth - The PCT certainly is not as well marked as the AT but that’s like saying a two lane highway is harder to follow than a four lane highway. That being said, it is ALWAYS a good idea to carry maps. I was able to thru-hike using just Yogi’s guide and the data book, but there were moments of confusion here and there where I wished that I had some actual maps. Halfmile’s maps are good and you can download them for free (although I would encourage you to make a donation) and you wouldn’t notice the weight. Also you can put maps you don’t need yet in a bounce/resupply box.

As far as cell phone service you might be surprised at how often you would have reception, especially in SoCal. It would be extremely spotty in the Sierras and NorCal. I was surprised at how often I had service in OR and WA, and that was back in 2005. I always liked having my phone to check in whenever I was in towns. Much easier than finding pay phones and calling cards.

As far as service for maps is concerned…I have no idea.

Hope this helps! Happy hiking!

Garrett

#4

Oops…accidentally put my email where the topic should be. Maybe if I’d had a map that wouldn’t have happened! :slight_smile:

Garrett

#5

Thank you for the advice Garret. I have a little better feel for what may lie ahead this season. Hope you get a chance to put in a few relaxing miles yourself this year too.:cheers

stealthblew

#6

I wouldn’t do the PCT without maps. Even if on most of the trail you wouldn’t have any risk of getting lost, you’ll constantly want to be checking maps for water sources, road crossings, flatter areas for camping, etc. etc. I guess i knew a couple of people who were always in groups and didn’t have their own maps, but they were just happy to be “followers”, and to be looking over people’s shoulders. If that’s you, and you’re the type that people always want to hike with, i guess you could get by.

markv

#7

The GPS on the iPhone works without phone service. I recommend Halfmile’s apps - PCTHYOH (allows you to cache the maps)and Halfmile PCT. Guthook’s five PCT guides are also nice. Halfmile’s are free; you have to pay for Guthook’s. I would still recommend you have halfmile’s paper maps.

Mike “Just Retired” Tarman

#8

I agree with the others here: maps (& compass) are always a good idea, and could save your life in certain situations. A GPS alone is asking for trouble, since it can break or malfunction.

Unlike the AT, where you’re almost always within 10 miles of civilization, the PCT traverses some remote terrain. If you get lost, you need to know your best options to get safely back to civilization. At least one PCT thru-hiker has died from getting lost (John Donovan '05).

Have a great hike!

freebird

#9

You will want maps. If not, you will likely be lost just before Hauser Canyon. If taking a gps, I would load with half mile waypoints and also take paper maps. The maps a better perspective and having common waypoints on the map and gps is very helpful. Don’t rely only on electronics. I just read a journal yesterday from a hiker that took an unexpected dunk. The maps on his phone werent worth much after that.

One final thought. The pct is not like the AT if there is any amount of snow. If its a high snow year it’s a whole different critter.

Gg-man

#10

Thanks to everyone for the thoughtful imput on the subject at hand. Will plan on including a set of maps in each of my resupply boxes this season.

Just under 90 days and counting:D

Stealthblew