[at-l] The importance of maps

[baltimorejack@hotmail.com (Jack Tarlin)]

Darren--

   You've got some great advice so far, but I want to comment on one 
statement that seemed to argue that maps were not needed.  The poster wrote, 
"Nothing is esssential, especially given that the AT is well marked and 
quite linear."

   I feel this is a grave mistake.  Yes, indeed, the Trail is well marked, 
and it's certainly possible to thru-hike without maps, and many have done 
so.  The point is whether or not this is a good idea.

   As well as the Trail is marked, it's still a very rare hiker who has 
spent much time on the A.T. who, at one time or another, due to 
day-dreaming, carelessness, or whatever, has not managed to find himself off 
the Trail.  This usually happens when a hiker misses a turn or fork in the 
trail, and then continues on long enough to make it difficult to re-trace 
their steps.  In nearly every case, they quickly realize their error and 
backtrack to the Trail---but not always.  There are places in the Trail that 
are in such built-up areas that even if you're lost, you'll find yourself at 
a road in no short order, but there are many places, especially in the North 
country, where it's VERY  difficult to rescue yourself without a map.  If 
this is compounded by bad weather, an injury, or both, it would be quite 
easy to find yourself in a very serious position if you were lost without a 
map.

   This has been discussed at length on this list, so I'm sorry for the 
repetition; I'll try to keep this reasonably brief.  There are any number of 
reasons you should always carry an up-to-date map of the area you're in, as 
well as  possessing the ability to read it.  Some of these reasons:

   1.  Obviously, they'll help you if you're lost, or have to try and locate 
someone who is.  Without a map of the country you're in, you are essentially 
blind as to what surrounds you.

   2.  If you need to get out of the woods in a hurry for ANY reason---an 
injury; or you need to get to a phone immediately, or to report an injury, 
accident, unusual incident, crime, etc.---the maps will enable you make an 
intelligent, informed decision on whether you should stick to the Trail 
until the next road crossing, backtrack down the Trail to a road you 
previously crossed, or perhaps find a quicker alternative route.  Your Data 
Book alone will NOT provide sufficient information, as it only lists major 
road crossings, and tells you nothing about the terrain itself that you may 
need to navigate---elevations, rivers, swamps, etc.  In short, if you ever 
have to leave the trail and bushwhack WITHOUT a map, you have a great chance 
of getting yourself lost, which would only compound your situation---instead 
of the authorities having to deal with one lost or injured hiker, now 
they'll have two.

  3. Intelligent reading of your map will ALWAYS give you a good idea of 
where you're going, or where you need to get to.  This is especially 
important if you have to leave an injured party, or perhaps some of your 
gear, somewhere on the Trail.  You need to be able to direct folks to the 
right location as quickly as possible.

  4. In addition to emergencies, maps will prove extraordinarily useful for 
any number of other purposes.  Before you start your trip, the maps are 
useful for getting an idea of what a particular stretch of terrain is 
like---is it hilly, is it flat, is it mixed, are there many little bumps, or 
just a few large ones?  The elevation profiles included on each map will 
provide a wealth of information on what lies ahead of you:  90 miles of 
Central Virginia is incredibly different from 90 miles in Southern Maine, 
and studying the maps will give you an idea of what's lies ahead, and you 
can then use this data to get a rough idea of how long it'll take you to 
cover a particular stretch.  This will come in very handy as you plan your 
maildrops, re-supply, and town stops.

  5.  During each hiking day, the maps will help you intelligently plan your 
itinerary:  Most hikers like to get the really big climbs out of the way 
early on, when they're fresh, and when it's not too hot; nobody likes to do 
a monster climb at 4:30 in the afternoon. The maps will tell you where the 
big climbs are.   Or maybe you WANT a big climb at the end of the day, in 
order to catch a sunset or sunrise; once again, the maps will tell you where 
a good place to be would be at day's end in order to do this.  Or maybe you 
have "time pressure" and need to make up a few days on your schedule; the 
maps will tell you where the best places might be to go for three or four 
consecutive "big days" instead of doing it blindly----there are many places 
on the Trail where it'd be very difficult, if not impossible, to do 3 or 4 
consecutive 20-miles days.  Studying your maps will help prevent errors of 
this sort.

  6.  Maps will point out alternative water sources.  This can be incredibly 
important in periods of extreme dry weather---many times, water sources 
listed in the Data Book (shelters, campsites, streams, etc.) are dry when 
you get there.  The maps will provide you with other possibilities.

7.  Many folks like to have friends, families, loved ones come visit them 
during their hikes and join them for a section.  For obvious reasons, 
especially if we're talking about parents or older folks who might not be in 
tip-top shape, you'll want to pick a relatively easy section for your 
visitors. Once again, it's the maps that'll help you pick out the 
appropriate stretch; at the very least, you'll have a good idea of what the 
stretch is like, how bad the climbs are, etc.


    This pretty much covers it, but the bottom line is this:  There are any 
number of good reasons to ALWAYS carry maps when you're in the woods or 
mountains, and only one reason not to, and that's to save money.  Well, 
there are better ways to save a few bucks, and there are ways to save money 
on maps---borrow a set from a former hiker, or purchase a used set, for 
example.  But the maps ARE an essential component of your gear.  As the 
previous poster said, "the AT is well marked and quite linear."  Well, this 
doesn't help much if you still manage to lose the trail, and in addition to 
a safeguard against getting lost, there are all sorts of good reasons to 
carry maps.  The poster said "Nothing is essential."

     I have to disagree.  Maps are.  And to go into the backcountry without 
them is, in my opinion, reckless, irresponsible, and not very smart.

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