I have seen a lot of criticism of the PCT Town guide while researching my hike. I have a copy now and see that it has a 2002 copyright. I’m wondering if this is an update that is better than the version that everyone complains about or if the 2002 update didn’t really improve the situation.
Radar
The 2002 version basically had just formatting changes. It’s an okay guide, but certainly not accurate. All the zip codes are right. There’s a good thing.
I’ll have a PCT Handbook available in the next couple of months. It will have all the town/trail/water information you could dream of having. I’ve worked hard on this, and it will be good. I promise.
yogi
yogi
Yogi, Is the PCT Handbook that you are working on a commercial enterprise, or will you make it available on the internet as your previous information was presented?
Red
It will definitely be available prior to the 2004 season. I’d hoped to have it done before December, but it’s more work than I had anticipated. I will post information both here and on PCT-L when it is finished, which should be by the end of January. That will be PLENTY of time for you lucky 2004 PCT’ers.
The Handbook has: all the maildrop addresses, information for EVERY water source (if I saw water there in 2001-2002-2003), where the water caches are, which way to go at confusing junctions and road crossings, exactly what each store has (I walked down the aisles and noted everything), correct PO hours and phone numbers, availablity of denatured alcohol/HEET, hiker-friendly motels, hostels, etc. The book is also divided into logical sections, so it will be easy to separate into your resupply boxes. This book will NOT have town maps, as they really are unnecessary on the PCT. Our towns are small, and unless you’re the FIRST hiker through, you can always ask the other hikers in town where things are.
This book is basically all the information I wish I had before hiking. It’s no secret that I love the PCT. Sure, it’s a challenging hike, but it’s not as scary as it seemed to me when I was planning my first PCT hike. If there is any information you would like to see in the book, please email me privately—don’t want to clog up this forum—and I’ll see what I can do.
Thanks for your support!
yogi
yogi
Yogi,
I would be glad to offer my notes from '02 if you would like anything additional. (I took detailed ones, in the hope that someone would do what you are doing!) Thanks for the effort.
Cross Country PCT '02
Cross Country
No one today knows the trail better than Yogi. I’ll buy her book for my next PCT hike!
Tha Wookie
your “next” PCT hike!!! I like the sound of that. This trail is too amazing to only walk once.
yogi