[pct-l] Data book and Maps - a little perspective

[Paul Robison]

So in this sense it's not as a Orientation tool;  but rather for logistics, planning campsights and whatnot...  That makes sense and seems to be where the real value of them is found. Do yu use a gps? It would seem wit halfmiles maps and waypoints in a gps getting lost would be next to impossible;  then for making a daily goal just add up mileages and scroll ahead on the map to find your next sight... But this is just theory for me.

I know you've been doing the pct about as long as anyone here, or perhaps longer...  Have yu tried a bunch of the guides?  Do any ones specifically stand out ? 

One guy who has used several of them is a lot more fair of a review than person A didn't like book X and person B loved book Y ... Some people are much harder to please : )

Sent from my iPod

On 2011-01-12, at 10:22 PM, CHUCK CHELIN <steeleye at wildblue.net> wrote:

> Good evening, Paul, 
>  
> I consult the data book pages regularly during a day’s hike, and in the evening when I’m in the sack planning tomorrow’s hike.  I don’t usually establish a real goal for the next day, but I do note on the mileage column approximately where 25-30 miles will take me.  During the day I refer to the pages when I encounter some trail-identified feature.
>  
> While I always have real maps – the last several years it’s been HalfMile’s maps – and I look at them mostly for overall perspective, and for GPS data to gauge my progress; seldom to unscramble the trail.  The maps/waypoints are all that’s really necessary, but I refer to the data book mostly out of a habit I developed in the days when I only had the less-than-user-friendly guidebook.
>  
> Steel-Eye
> Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT – 1965
> http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye
> http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09
> 
> 
> On Wed, Jan 12, 2011 at 2:10 PM, Paul Robison <paulrobisonhome at yahoo.com> wrote:
> I disagree,  I didn't look at the data books once from mexico to idyllwild,  and very very infrequently after that...
> ... At least in my hiking style the maps meant far far more
> 
> In 2011 I will not bring the data book just Asabats report and halfmiles maps on my gps
> 
> My opinion... One of many
> 
> Sent from my iPod
> 
> On 2011-01-12, at 11:14 AM, PCT List <pctlist at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> > You will use your data book far more than you will use any map. You'll
> > consult your data book many times during the day. When you do consult
> > your maps, it will likely be for a general idea of where you're at in
> > the big picture.
> >
> > With that said, you should definitely carry maps for those *very few*
> > times you'll need them for navigation along the PCT.
> >
> > You have 2 options for a data book that matches respective map sets:
> >
> > Ben Go's data book that matches the WP guide books:
> > http://www.wildernesspress.com/product.php?productid=16648
> >
> > Free postholer data book that matches the postholer maps:
> > On line: http://postholer.com/databook/
> > PDF: http://postholer.com/transfer.php?type=1
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