Maps on the AT?

imported
#1 
									I've section hiked before and was convinced that you would have to be drunk blind and batty in order to actually lose your way.

I’ve also heard people say some parts of the trail aren’t as well-maintained, especially early in the season. Or that bad weather (snow) can obscure the blazes.

Then theres the whole idea of the topomaps so you know what you’re getting yourself into each day (personally I might prefer not knowing).

so in your opinion is it worth it to have maps or compass or anything? or just keep walking toward those little white rectangles…

									_hikerjohnson_
#2 
									You at least have to have a guide book on the trail.  How else do you know how far to the next town, shelter, campsite, whatever.  I can't imagine just walking having no idea how far I had hiked that day.

AT maps are hard to read because of the small scale, but the profiles are very useful to know what is ahead. I have know some thru hikers, who cut out the profiles and threw the rest of the map away.

The only compass you need is a timy one that tells you what general direction you are going if you get confused, as I did one morning leaving Low Gap Shelter. I headed south instead of north. After a few miles something didn’t look right according to the map. My little compass confirmed I was walking south. We carry a compass about the size of nickel, and it has been adequate and useful on a number of trails.

									_swamp fox_
#3 
									It makes a lot of sense to carry some form of map - you  may need to know what is around you (i.e., which way to the nearest town when yu come to a road interection)  Profiles are great - knowing how many hills you have in front of you can help the day go better.  And as Swamp Fox noted, a small compass because sometimes you just do not remember which way you came into a shelter.  That said, you don't have to carry the entire AT, just the section you are on.:cheers 

									_stumps_
#4 
									I did fine on the AT with just the Appalachian Pages guidebook (has a profile on each page, which did help planning) and a AAA road map for each state.  I mailed my compass home first chance I got.

									_Garlic_
#5 
									If you're worried about exiting a shelter or campsite the wrong way just take a photo of it or the lead-in trail as you approach from a distance the night before and refer back to it if needed in the morning. Chances are the mindful act of doing this, or even just pretending with your imaginary camera, will set your bearings for future reference and allow you to leave a compass at home.

Walking for miles in the wrong direction need not happen, but it can be a great reality check to show how mindless hiking the AT can become if you allow it to be. Nothing about the experience needs to be mindless at all, of course, but it tends to be a built in tendency given how well marked and maintained it usually is.

									_Tron_
#6 
									Maps and a compass can be useful in the event of an emergency to find the nearest way to a road or town. Other wise its a personal choice.

									_Tomahawk_
#7 
									I had all the maps and was glad. The profiles were really helpful in planning your day.Many people who said they didnt believe in maps looked over my shoulder a lot.If a shelters on your left when you come into camp, make sure its on your left when you leave. Same for the right side. "Man howed we ever win a war"

									_Virginian_
#8 
									When I hiked last year, I only carried the Thru Hiker's Companion. I would have liked to have the elevation profiles but did not think a map was necessary. A solution to this, if you are using the Companion, is to Google "Appalachian Trail elevation profile" or something similar, and there are some profiles you can print out that are pretty condensed and accurate. Now, if you're planning on taking lots of side trips or blue blazed routes, a map would really be handy.

									_Lizard_