I am a section hiker. Did New Mexico in 2010 and Colorado this past season. I did NM using a combo of Ley maps, forest service maps, and BLM maps. It didn't work so well for me. There is a lot of confusing / unmarked stuff out there and I got off route several times. One time I walked into a private ranch accidentally and learned I was two miles from where I thought I was. Last summer I bought the map book from CDTA and had much better luck. Only got lost once and that was in the South San Juans. I was following a really good trail and walked right by a place where the CDT took off following cairns. I turned on my GPS and it pointed me back to where I missed the turn. I guess I started paying better attention because after that I made it all the way across Colorado without problems. I have purchased the Montana book and am awaiting arrival of the Wyoming one. To me this is the way to go. <div>
<br></div><div>The maps are clear and easy to read. I removed the spiral binding and put the maps I didn't need in my bounce box. I put the ones I carried in a large ziplock that I purchased at Office Depot. </div>
<div><br></div><div>Only downside I can see is that the maps are only for the official route. I have been considering going to Mack's Inn and would like to keep the Anaconda cutoff option so I am going to print those from the Ley CD and carry them. I am seriously thinking that since I am section hiking that I might just stick to the official route since navigation with the maps is so straightforward.</div>
<div><br></div><div>IMO, Following a good map with detailed GPS information is bulletproof. Great the way to go. </div><div><br></div><div>Dry Camp<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
<br dir="ltr"><br>On Wednesday, February 29, 2012, Darren Bagnall wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">Hello,<br>
<br>
My apologies if this is a stupid question... Are the BearCreek maps brand new to the community? They are not mentioned or reviewed in Yogi's book so as a CDT newbie I was going to go for the Wolf books as advised by her book. I am wondering if anyone here (maybe even Jerry) can speak to or give some details on these maps.<br>
Are they brand new to the community? Are they designed for thru-hikers? Are they written SOBO or NOBO?<br>
Which "official" route is this? I noticed Jerry's work puts the official CDT route at 3008 miles - interesting.<br>
<br>
If possible it would be great to also hear from anyone who used these on the trail:<br>
Are the books designed to easily be torn up and mailed with out losing pages from each section?<br>
How does the paper they are printed on hold up? How is the quality of the LuLu printing?<br>
<br>
Thanks for any info. The decision on which maps to purse is an expensive an important one.<br>
I like the fact they were created by an actual cartographer who has hiked the entire trail!<br>
! I wanted to hear more today while this big one day sale is going on.<br>
And Jerry, thank you! These books look great.<br>
<br>
Step.<br>
<br>
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