[pct-l] maps

[Ikem Freeman]

Easy,

It wasn't my intent to hike without PCT maps ... I had all three guide books
when I left Florida. I carried them all the way to california, and in a
hurry as I was shipping my bike and gear back to Oregon, the three guide
books got shipped home by accident.

I had Yogi's book for most of the way, and I did buy Eric the Black's PCT
Atlas from the author when he gave me a ride to Big Bear.

But in reallity, there are so many other hikers that I could always look at
a map when I really needed to.

There were only three times that I recall when I didn't know for sure which
was the right way. First time was just before Houser Creek. I took the first
trail down to the creek, but should had stayed on the road and taken the
second trail down. After about 200 yards and a dead end (another hike
followed me down!), we both hiked back to the road and we were back on the
trail.

The second time was just past Big Bear Lake. The PCT takes a 180 degree turn
to the right at a junction, while a new trail continues straight. I think I
went about 1/2 a mile in the wrong direction, thinking I was still on the
PCT. I pulled out my PCT Atlas and realized my error.

The last time was just past Ashland. There was a fork in the trial and no
sign. I went to the right, and after about 1/2 mile, the trail just ended. I
back-tracked to the fork, and this time, taking the other trail, came upon a
marker after about 50 yards.

You may think it was irresponsible, but with so many other hikers, all
carrying maps, I felt safe enough without one.

Happy Trails.

O. Ikem Sofar

On Wed, Mar 4, 2009 at 12:02 PM, Will Hiltz <will.hiltz at gmail.com> wrote:

> Sorry, don't want to flame anyone here... but IMHO hiking with no maps
> pretty irresponsible.  Particularly on a trail you've never been on before,
> and for such a flimsy reason.  HYOY, I guess....
>
>
>
> YITOOD,
>
> Easy
>
>
> On Wed, Mar 4, 2009 at 2:50 PM, Ikem Freeman <ikem.freeman at gmail.com>wrote:
>
>> I didn't carry maps for most of '08 hike because of weight ... instead,
>> I'd
>> stop and talk to SoBo hikers and ask them if they had any maps they were
>> done with, and then later, I'd offer these same maps to other SoBo hikers,
>> just so I could get rid of the excess weight!
>>
>> However, Eric the Black gave me a ride to town near Big Bear Lake, and I
>> bought the PCT Atlas for the next section of the trail. I loved it! What
>> great detail, and very easy to use! In fact, it saved me at one point ...
>> there was a junction in the trail, and to me, it looked like going
>> straight
>> kept me on the PCT ... turns out the PCT made a 180 degree turn to the
>> right, but it was not clear to tell. After hiking about 1/2 mile on the
>> wrong trail, I pulled out the PCT atlas and it was easy to tell that I
>> went
>> the wrong way.
>>
>> If you have the PCT atlas, you won't need anything else!
>>
>> O. Ikem Sofar.
>>
>> On Wed, Mar 4, 2009 at 10:30 AM, Erik The Black <erik at eriktheblack.com
>> >wrote:
>>
>> > I also never feel comfortable hiking without maps. I think it's because
>> I
>> > am
>> > a visual person. Words and numbers just don't make as much sense to me
>> as a
>> > well-laid out image.
>> >
>> > That's why I created the Pacific Crest Trail Atlas, which includes full
>> > color annotated topographic maps, elevation profiles, town maps, and
>> > basically everything you need to navigate the PCT in a series of small,
>> > pocket-size, easy to read booklets.
>> >
>> > www.pctatlas.com
>> >
>> > Volumes 1 and 2 (SoCal and Central Cal) are already at the printer and
>> will
>> > begin shipping the first week of April. Volumes 3, 4, and 5 will be
>> > shipping
>> > in early June and I'll be sending them to thru-hikers on the trail as
>> soon
>> > as they are available.
>> >
>> > Over 150 of this year's thru hikers have already pre ordered the Atlas
>> and
>> > now that spring is getting closer it's starting to pick up even more.
>> I'm
>> > afraid that at this rate my initial print run of 300 copies will be sold
>> > out
>> > before the Kickoff.
>> >
>> > But as of now there are still spots available. So if you would like to
>> get
>> > a
>> > copy for yourself head on over the www.pctatlas.com and pre order.
>> >
>> > You can also download a free chapter on my website.
>> >
>> > Erik The Black
>> > Author & Publisher
>> > Pacific Crest Trail Atlas
>> > www.pctatlas.com
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> ****************************************************************************
>> >  After reading Yogi's book and talking with past thru hikers I was
>> > convinced
>> > that the maps in the guidebooks would be sufficient and I wouldn't need
>> to
>> > buy any other maps. But the more I think about it, the more I'd like to
>> > have
>> > proper maps. I like to have some perspective while I am hiking and feel
>> > most
>> > comfortable with a map. I noticed the PCTA has a map series, with a few
>> > missing it looks like but my question is: has anyone else or is anyone
>> else
>> > bringing maps besides the guidebooks? Or should I just get over it and
>> just
>> > rely on the guidebook maps? THANKS!
>> > Emily
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
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>> >
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