[at-l] Maps - Negative stress on the trail.

[thornel at attglobal.net (W F Thorneloe)]

On my recent hike, there was a relocation of 9 miles, adding 4 miles, to my 
day last Sunday (I think it was). This was the Elk River Relo. I saw maps 
of it on shelter walls and Bob Peoples had informed me that it would 
actually make the walk easier. An additional 4 miles doesn't sound easier, 
until you realize that it went by the biggest waterfall along the AT, had 
better water, had no road walks and took me on a tour of the hurricane 
flash flood damage.

What was really neat was learning that I really had no clue where the heck 
I was, even using the official AT map and looking at the shelter maps. It 
got me into "following the white blazes" - that little mantra that you hear 
that sounds so simple. I let me walk without stopping and consulting map or 
guides. I found it even more helpful to consult the level of daylight to 
determine where I'd stay the night (Laurel Forks) once I figured my watch 
was wrong. The combination of SNAFU's added to the trail experience.

I am another of those who really looks at the maps for the profiles. I use 
the guides or local signs to let me calibrate my altimeter and then have a 
reasonable idea of where I am along the day's walk. This was very helpful 
on the Humps when I couldn't see 100 yards usually.

But I found that I got more walking done when I kept walking, rather than 
stopping to consult the maps and the guides.

OrangeBug