[pct-l] PCT-L PCT Atlas maps

[Erik The Black]

The maps in the PCT Atlas are based on the USGS Topo maps. These are the
basis for virtually all topographic maps you see in the U.S.

The contour and elevation data was gathered by the USGS over decades and
remains unchanged, but the trails and roads are often way out of date,
depending on when a certain map was last updated. Some of the maps haven't
been updated in 20 or 30 years.

I purchased all of the maps in high-resolution, unmodified digital format
and began adding everything of interest to PCT hikers on top (the route of
the PCT, side trails, roads, landmarks, water sources, etc.) and more
importantly, presenting the information in way that is intuitive and
user-friendly.

Over the years I have developed an "assembly line process" for creating all
of the graphics for the PCT Atlas that is highly efficient, but it's really
not rocket science. I am a digital artist and basically what it boils down
to is about 18 months of 12-16 hour days, six to seven days a week. That's
just layout and illustration, not including research and development.

Since I returned from my thru hike in 2007 the PCT Atlas has been my entire
life. The project actually began part time two years before that in 2005. I
have done nothing else except work on the PCT Atlas for a very long time. So
needless to say, I'm really looking forward to this June when it will
finally be done and I can go outside again.

After I take a well-deserved vacation, I will begin producing Atlases for
other trails. 

Not exactly cookie-cutter copies of the PCT Atlas, but books designed
specifically for the needs of each individual trail. I got the idea for the
PCT Atlas by surveying hundreds of PCT hikers and asking them what they
disliked about the existing books and maps and what they would like instead.

I have already began work on the JMT Atlas which will be coming out this
summer. I think the CDT would be a prime candidate for an Atlas, however it
doesn't seem that enough people hike that trail to make it financially
feasible. But I will be looking into it. Maybe a good book for the trail
would inspire more people to hike it.

The PCT Atlas isn't a side job for me, or a pet project. It's a full time
business. I have invested all of my time and money into it and I plan to
keep going forward from here. As long as hikers like the product enough to
keep buying it and keep me in business.


Happy Trails!

Erik The Black
www.pctatlas.com




Message: 4
Date: Thu, 5 Mar 2009 11:18:23 -0600
From: Bill Murdock <billmurdock at live.com>
Subject: [pct-l] PCT Atlas maps
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Message-ID: <BLU125-W16A963109EF4186D2950C6C1A40 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"


Mags makes a good point.  I am also curious to learn how Eric the black made
his maps.  Eric did you use existing maps or create your own?  If you used
existing maps that must have been expensive to purchase the rights to use
those maps.

 

Bill Murdock

PCT 2009 hopeful

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