Hi everyone–I could swear I read somewhere that you could receive 2007 updates for the Schaffer guidebooks from somewhere, as they were all published several (or more) years ago. Does anyone know if this is true, and where the updates can be found? Thanks!
And are the Schaffer books even necessary? There seems to be a 50/50 split on that.
Rhys
It used to be that the publisher Wilderness Press had the updates, either mailed to you or online. Check out the website or call them. A couple of years ago, Ben Schaeffer went on PCT-L to announce the update.
The guidebooks are necessary because of the maps and water information. They are excellent maps. Since you plan to start early, you will need more detailed trail descriptions to get through the snow than someone hiking later in the year who can follow the footprints of others. The PCT is not marked as well as the AT (especially where there are no trees).
Ginny
Thanks Ginny, I appreciate that! I checked their site but didn’t see any updates, but I’ll check again in case I missed it. Thanks! 
Rhys
Rhys,
From a message posted by the author to the PCT-L
Schifrin Benjamin
benschif@mac.com to pct-l
“I am now working on the next complete revisions of The Book of Lies, also known as the Oregon-Washington and California PCT Guidebooks. Wilderness Press plans to have a new version of OR-WA on bookshelves for the 2008 season, and hopes to have the two CA guides a year later.”
“As usual, prior to the actual hard-copies of the guides are printed, I plan to have the usual annual incremental updates for OR-WA out by Christmas (including a full thorn-and-brush description of the Glacier Peak Bypass) , and the two halves of CA out in early spring 2007, certainly in time for the Class of 07. (I’m sweating over them already!”
Hope that helps
Bear
Bear
…that you dont ford that river in the desert…Kings or something…you walk way around it, and that almost killed me because by both books it lead you to believe you walked right by it then through it, and you dont…
LK
Carry a reasonably reliable guide book. Have a laugh when it’s misleading, poorly written or wrong, mostly it will help.
Ablejack