[pct-l] PCT Maps/Data Sources (long winded thoughts)

[J J at Ridge Trail]

Nice.

Jim Keener ( J J )
_________________

jj at ridgetrailhiker.com
http://ridgetrailhiker.com






On Dec 15, 2009, at 8:37 PM, Postholer wrote:

> On occasion over the last couple years, I've found myself up to my neck in 
> map related features for the postholer site. For what it's worth, here are 
> some thoughts on the subject.
> 
> Map Data Sources
> WP Guidebooks, Tom Harrison, HikerTrash, Halfmile and Erik's maps have one 
> major thing in common: the trail data is collected/maintained due to a 
> herculean effort by one individual. By nature of this method the trail data 
> is doomed to be obsolete without continued vigilence. I think of Ben 
> Schifrin and what a huge asset he has been to Wilderness Press.
> 
> One exception exists, that is the USFS data which is publicly available. My 
> understanding is that each year GIS crews are out collecting data here and 
> there constantly updating the data. The effort of many from a large, 
> constant resource. Not only is this an 'official' (there's that word) 
> source, it is constant. That is why the postholer maps are based solely on 
> this data and will continue to be.
> 
> Which Resource
> With Ben Go's data book and the WP Guidebooks you are good to go hiking. 
> Thousands before you have used these successfully. Plus you get an extensive 
> natural history of the trail which all other sources sorely lack.
> 
> For something different but not time tested by thousands of hikers, for the 
> cost of a printer cartridge you can print out Halfmile's excellent maps, add 
> $10 for Ben Go's data book and you're good to go. You may or may not want to 
> stake the success of your hike on this setup.
> 
> And for all you thru-wallet saps who think the quality of maps is 
> proportional to the price-tag, you've got Erik's PCT Atlas. I just shake my 
> head when I think of someone dropping $200 on a set of maps for the PCT. 
> This kind of cash is COMPLETELY unnecessary. The anxiety of planning cannot 
> be overcome with cash. Do yourself a favor, don't be a thru-wallet.
> 
> The Future of PCT Maps
> Personally, with bias, I'd like to see Wilderness Press update their aging 
> map set and the format. I know some view the 'verbosity' as overwhelming or 
> unncessary and during your hike, it can be. But it's also a wealth of 
> information no one else can touch. With a little strategic formatting, they 
> could have the best of both worlds. I'd expect they would maintain the same 
> reasonable pricing we've come to expect from this fantastic resource.
> 
> Going forward I bet on the continuing success of Wilderness Press 
> Guidebooks. I would gladly contribute my time to see this institution of 
> guidebooks continue to grow its legacy for generations of hikers to come.
> 
> -postholer
> 
> ------------------------------------
> Trail Journals, Google Trail Maps, Forums: http://postholer.com
> Pacific Crest Trail Photo Atlas: http://postholer.com/photoAtlas.php
> 
> 
> 
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