[pct-l] PCT Maps/Data Sources (long winded thoughts)

[Will Hiltz]

vitriol aside, I largely agree.  Thanks to P-holer for being such a
continuing resource




Easy

On Tue, Dec 15, 2009 at 8:40 PM, J J at Ridge Trail
<jj at ridgetrailhiker.com>wrote:

> Nice.
>
> Jim Keener ( J J )
> _________________
>
> jj at ridgetrailhiker.com
> http://ridgetrailhiker.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Dec 15, 2009, at 8:37 PM, Postholer wrote:
>
> > On occasion over the last couple years, I've found myself up to my neck
> in
> > map related features for the postholer site. For what it's worth, here
> are
> > some thoughts on the subject.
> >
> > Map Data Sources
> > WP Guidebooks, Tom Harrison, HikerTrash, Halfmile and Erik's maps have
> one
> > major thing in common: the trail data is collected/maintained due to a
> > herculean effort by one individual. By nature of this method the trail
> data
> > is doomed to be obsolete without continued vigilence. I think of Ben
> > Schifrin and what a huge asset he has been to Wilderness Press.
> >
> > One exception exists, that is the USFS data which is publicly available.
> My
> > understanding is that each year GIS crews are out collecting data here
> and
> > there constantly updating the data. The effort of many from a large,
> > constant resource. Not only is this an 'official' (there's that word)
> > source, it is constant. That is why the postholer maps are based solely
> on
> > this data and will continue to be.
> >
> > Which Resource
> > With Ben Go's data book and the WP Guidebooks you are good to go hiking.
> > Thousands before you have used these successfully. Plus you get an
> extensive
> > natural history of the trail which all other sources sorely lack.
> >
> > For something different but not time tested by thousands of hikers, for
> the
> > cost of a printer cartridge you can print out Halfmile's excellent maps,
> add
> > $10 for Ben Go's data book and you're good to go. You may or may not want
> to
> > stake the success of your hike on this setup.
> >
> > And for all you thru-wallet saps who think the quality of maps is
> > proportional to the price-tag, you've got Erik's PCT Atlas. I just shake
> my
> > head when I think of someone dropping $200 on a set of maps for the PCT.
> > This kind of cash is COMPLETELY unnecessary. The anxiety of planning
> cannot
> > be overcome with cash. Do yourself a favor, don't be a thru-wallet.
> >
> > The Future of PCT Maps
> > Personally, with bias, I'd like to see Wilderness Press update their
> aging
> > map set and the format. I know some view the 'verbosity' as overwhelming
> or
> > unncessary and during your hike, it can be. But it's also a wealth of
> > information no one else can touch. With a little strategic formatting,
> they
> > could have the best of both worlds. I'd expect they would maintain the
> same
> > reasonable pricing we've come to expect from this fantastic resource.
> >
> > Going forward I bet on the continuing success of Wilderness Press
> > Guidebooks. I would gladly contribute my time to see this institution of
> > guidebooks continue to grow its legacy for generations of hikers to come.
> >
> > -postholer
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> > Trail Journals, Google Trail Maps, Forums: http://postholer.com
> > Pacific Crest Trail Photo Atlas: http://postholer.com/photoAtlas.php
> >
> >
> >
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> >
>
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