[pct-l] PCT Guide

[meghan west]

My partner and I were able to plan most of our hike using Yogi's Handbook (
http://www.pcthandbook.com/).  We took the relevant handbook pages, the
Databook and the two-part PCT guide book.  Databook was decently helpful for
landmarks, but was also just irritating in several places.  It seems like
Erik the Black's PCT Atlas (http://www.pctatlas.com/letter.htm) or Paul's
book will be more helpful (and more updated).  The guidebooks (
http://shop.pcta.org/productdetail.asp?cat=154   top three books) provide
in-depth descriptions of the flora and the trail as you hike, and also
provide maps.  We found them to be fun to read to learn as we went, and to
pass some of the time not singing at the top of our lungs to each other.  It
was worth the weight of the pages to us.

We also read Ray Jardine's backpacker handbook to wrap our minds around
ultra-light.  But when actually planning, we used mostly internet research
to gather gear and information.
-Bling

On Thu, Jul 30, 2009 at 1:51 AM, Paul Bodnar <paulbodnar at hotmail.com> wrote:

>
> 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
> > > _______________________________________________
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