[pct-l] PCT Guide

[Paul Bodnar]

I have received several e-mails asking about my book.  So here is a summary of what I’m working on.
 
The simplified guide book is 4.25 by 6.8 inches, about 120 pages, and weighs about 5 ounces.  The book covers the entire Pacific Crest Trail and will cost less than $30.  The expected release date is October 2009.  I thru-hiked the PCT, and have been thinking about this book for a long time.  My goal is to help thru-hikers finish the PCT.  I designed the book with the primary goals of making it easier for the hiker to determine his/her location on the trail and reducing the time it takes to determine the next available water source.
 
The book is built around an accurate elevation profile of the entire PCT.  The profile is marked with important points, including water sources with an estimated reliability factor (reliable, marginal, or typically dry), expected water caches, landmarks (roads, trail junctions, etc.), improved campgrounds, and resupply points.  The elevation profile is divided into chapters (with a summary elevation profile at the head of each chapter), each chapter representing the trail between the popular resupply points along the PCT.  Alternative resupply points are also provided.  The elevation profile is an accurate depiction of the terrain, making it easy to actually feel where you are based on the depiction of the elevation changes.  The book is designed to be highly visual and intuitive (no tables, not much text), and in order to keep costs low, it is in black and white.
 
NOTE! My book does not include maps.  Even though the PCT is a well-marked trail I recommend always carrying a map.
 
Paul

 
> From: paulbodnar at hotmail.com
> To: powersonline at yahoo.com; pct-l at backcountry.net
> Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:38:39 -0400
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] PCT Guide
> 
> 
> I am currently working on the final touches of a simplified PCT guide book. I have talked with over a hundred current PCT thru hikers this year for input on the book. The book will be small, lightweight and most importantly the book will be affordable so every thru hiker can purchase one. 
> 
> I plan on having the PCT guidebook available for purchase in October.
> 
> Paul
> 
> 
> > Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2009 08:24:17 -0700
> > From: powersonline at yahoo.com
> > To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> > Subject: [pct-l] PCT Guide
> > 
> > Hi there. Thank you for taking the time to read this. My best friend and I are in the stages of planning and conditioning for the upcoming 2010 PCT through hike. Before making a purchase of one or more of the popular trail guides around, I was wanting to know what other people are using to plan their hike with or have any recommendations of the sort. 
> > 
> > Thank you
> > _______________________________________________
> > Pct-l mailing list
> > Pct-l at backcountry.net
> > http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
> 
> _________________________________________________________________
> Windows Live™ Hotmail®: Celebrate the moment with your favorite sports pics. Check it out.
> http://www.windowslive.com/Online/Hotmail/Campaign/QuickAdd?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_QA_HM_sports_photos_072009&cat=sports
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-l mailing list
> Pct-l at backcountry.net
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l

_________________________________________________________________
Windows Live™ Hotmail®: Search, add, and share the web’s latest sports videos. Check it out.
http://www.windowslive.com/Online/Hotmail/Campaign/QuickAdd?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_QA_HM_sports_videos_072009&cat=sports