What is the BEST PCT Thru Hiker Guide Book? Any decent links?
Thanks
Flowcefus
PCT Guide Book - Appalachian Trail
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#2
“Yogi’s Notes” is a great resource for hiking the PCT. www.pcthandbook.com is where you can order it. Its very informative.
Also, the PCTA has a good book about all the towns located along the trail.
Rowboat
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#3
Of course, I’m pretty partial to my book, YOGI’S PCT HANDBOOK. Details about the book are at www.pcthandbook.com
In addition, you need the Data Book and the three State guides (S. Cal, N. Cal, and OR-WA). These books are available from the PCTA www.pcta.org
yogi
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#4
Don’t bother with the PCTA Town Guide. Just go with Yogi’s book.
Don’t wait to purchase Yogi’s book either. It comes it two parts. One for pre-hike planning which is fantastic and the second part for taking with you on the trail (which is also fantastic).
Radar
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#5
I’m using Yogi’s handbook to get things figured out and also have the three guide books. (Thanks Yogi.) My questions are, 1) do you folks in the know recommend that I also carry the guide books as I go?; and 2) any idea where/when I can obtain a Data book? (Everywhere seems to be out.) Aloha!
Aloha!
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#6
I’d break all the guidebooks and Yogi’s book into sections. Pick up the appropriate section in your bounce box. Throw the old sections in the garbage (or recylce bin if you can). It is what I did on the PCT. Of course, did not have Yogi’s book then. 
Mags
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#7
yes, yes, yes, you need to carry the guidebook pages. Junctions on the PCT are usually NOT marked with a “PCT that-a-way” arrow. Sometimes there aren’t even signs at junctions. If there is a sign, it may show Jane’s trail goes left and John’s trail goes right, with no indication which one is the PCT. The guidebook text descriptions and maps will help you stay on track.
I heard a rumor that the PCTA is printing a new Data Book for 2005. Maybe that’s why you can’t find one now.
yogi
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#8
Thanks for all the helpful info!
One final question … Yogi, you say I need the “three State guides (S. Cal, N. Cal, and OR-WA)”? Since I will be buying your book and the data book (which I hope will be available soon) … how necessary are those three state guides. I don’t mind purchasing them, but I’m attempting to save every dollar I can so I’ll have the money to hike.
thanks and happy hiking!!!
Flowcefus
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#9
My book does not replace the Data Book or the state guidebooks. You need those, too. I know it seems like a lot of money when you’re saving for a hike. But the PCT has the cheapest map/guidebooks. AT maps and CDT maps/guidebooks cost more. Plus, you’ll be lost without the PCT guidebooks.
yogi
yogi
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#10
hey yogi or anyone else who knows,
what else is provided in the data book that is not included in the PCT handbook? elevations i suppose, but i don’t think i’m really going to be all that concerned about how high up i am.
zero
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#11
You will definitely be concerned with how high up you are. You need to know if there is a climb, because that will determine your speed, how much water you need, etc. When the weather is bad, you don’t want to get caught above treeline. When choosing your campsite, you may or may not want to be high or low, depending on the weather.
The Data Book is the reference hikers use the most. It has condensed information which comes straight from the Guidebooks. It lists landmarks, facilities, mileage change from the last landmark, distance north from Mexico, elevation, and which map you’re on. With a quick glance, you can see where you are, where the next water is, if you have a climb or descent, etc. The Guidebooks have this information, but it is mixed in with the text of the book.
The PCT is different from the AT. On the PCT, you actually have to pay attention to where you are. You will carry more paper weight (data, maps) than you did on the AT. It’s necessary. I have a section of my book where I explain how to use the Handbook, Data Book, and Guidebook pages on a thru-hike.
PCT hikers do not carry entire books in our packs. We rip the books apart, and only carry the pages needed for each section. Data for future sections are mailed in bounce boxes or resupply packages.
The books you need for a thru-hike are:
Yogi’s PCT Handbook - www.pcthandbook.com
The 3 guidebooks (S. Cal, N. Cal, OR-WA) - www.pcta.org
The Data Book - www.pcta.org
The total cost for these books is approximately $92. In my opinion, this is extremely reasonable. AT maps were about $250 when I hiked in 1999. I probably spent $500 or more on CDT maps in 2004.
Christmas is only 2 weeks away. My advice is to ask for the books as Christmas presents. That’s what I did for my first PCT hike. In addition to me getting what I needed for my hike, my family felt more connected, because I used their gift on my hike.
yogi
yogi
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#12
I guess I didn’t answer your question. You wanted to know what is in the Data book that is not in the Handbook. The Data Book lists ALL landmarks from the Guidebooks – and includes all the attributes of the landmarks (listed in my previous post).
The Handbook lists landmarks pertaining to water sources, confusing trail junctions, things to watch out for. These are listed with the mileage north from Mexico, and the name of the landmark. Elevation, distance change, map number, etc., are not included in the Handbook.
You need both books.
yogi
yogi
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#13
in the eternal quest to cut a little bit of weight, i was hoping to get away with just the pct handbook and the guidebooks, but it is much nicer to be able to reference stuff quickly and not waste time poking through the guidebook for landmarks. thanks.
zero