[pct-l] Guidebooks - don't leave home without them

[CWillett at pierce.ctc.edu (Chris Willett)]

I have a slightly different view of the utility of the guidebooks. For the majority of the PCT, you really don't need anything other than Data book.  However, it is hard to tell when you will get lost or, rather, misplaced (Yogiism).  So, rather than trying to predict the entire future, a simple solution is just to carrying the guides, knowing that you will probably not use them much.  I rarely read the text after the first hundred or so miles, and used the maps on a few occasions.

Certainly you would want some form of maps for the Sierras.  Since the trail is buried within a few miles of each pass, you'll want a map to help you find your way.  I didn't find the guide too helpful with directions.  In a few places a short sentence would have made finding some of the passes alot easier.  In SoCal, you definitely want the water information and perhaps a description of the trail in a few key areas, like around towns or recreation areas (like Silverwood)  If you are going to be in Washington in mid September or especially October, you should definitely have maps for the area as you are pushing weatherluck.  I'd want maps in the Oregon area, or descriptions of alternate routes through the area.  For example, you probably don't want to pass up Crater Lake, but if you just follow the PCT, you won't get it.  Some of the other alternates are worthwhile as well.

Seem like a lot of specialized info?  Yes, it is.  Carrying the guides and data book is a simple solution.  Cutting weight by not hauling the 4 oz. of material (between bounce buckets) is not much of a savings.  Better to eat one less cheeseburger a week and save the weight from your gut.


Suge  

---------------------------
Christopher Willett
cwillett@pierce.ctc.edu
www.pierce.ctc.edu/faculty/cwillett
Pierce College
9401 Farwest Drive SW.
Lakewood, WA. 98498-1999

> ----------
> From: 	pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net on behalf of yogi
> Sent: 	Tuesday, January 4, 2005 8:09 AM
> To: 	pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> Subject: 	[pct-l] Guidebooks - don't leave home without them
> 
> I got three emails this weekend from 2005 PCT hikers asking 
> some form of this question:
>  
> "Do I need to carry the Guidebooks, or is the Data Book 
> enough?  I'm trying to reduce my pack weight and the 
> Guidebooks seem like unnecessary weight."
>  
> Yes, yes, yes, you need to carry the Guidebooks!!  You need 
> the maps, you need the text description of the trail.  PCT trail 
> junctions are rarely signed with a "PCT that-a-way" arrow.  
> Instead, the trail sign (if there even is a sign) will have something
> like "Shadow Lake" and an arrow.  The other trail at the same 
> junction may be signed as "Blue Lake" with an arrow.  You have 
> to choose which trail to take, and the Guidebook maps/text tell 
> you where to go.  
>  
> The Guidebooks not only have maps and text description for the 
> PCT, but for many alternate routes as well.  The official PCT is 
> made to accommodate horses.  Many of the alternate routes 
> are cool hiker-only trails.  Someone told me once that his 
> theory on choosing a route is "always take the most scenic 
> route".  Sometimes, the official PCT is less scenic than an 
> alternate.  
>  
> PCT hikers do not carry a whole book.  We tear the books 
> apart and carry only the pages needed for the section we're 
> hiking.  Guidebook pages for future sections are put into 
> bounce boxes or resupply boxes.
>  
> Guidebook pages are not unnecessary weight.  You need 
> to have them with you.  It's part of being prepared.  If you 
> were taking a road trip to a part of the country you'd never 
> been to before, you'd have road maps in your car, right?  
> The same is true for the PCT.  Guidebooks - don't leave 
> home without them.
>  
> yogi
> www.pcthandbook.com
>  
>  
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