[pct-l] Re: maps

[HShires@aol.com]

I think the quidebook sections are all you need to find the trail.  
However, they are completely useless for identifying much of the 
surrounding territory.  I ended up taking along cut-up pages from the CA, 
OR, and WA Gazeteers (sp?).  Although the maps do have the trail printed 
on them as well as elevation lines they're too large scale to be of any 
use in actually finding the trail (and I wouldn't trust the acuracy of 
the trail line anyway).  What they are good for are identifying distant 
peaks, lakes, roads, and towns.  There were lots of times when I'd stop 
along a high ridge, pull out my gazateer map, and be able to identify 
almost every major landmark.  Try that with the quidebook maps. They are 
also marked with highways and logging roads--which I found quite useful a 
few times, especially in Section O and other places where 
towns/restaurants were off the edge of the guidebook maps.  As for cost, 
each Gazateer was (I think) about $25 so a complete set up maps for the 
PCT cost less than $100.

Henry

>Date: Wed, 2 Feb 2000 09:32:32 -0800 (PST)
>From: Karen Borski <kborski@yahoo.com>
>Subject: [pct-l] Maps - to buy more or not 
>
>I am finding myself increasingly uncomfortable with
>the map sections in the standard two-volume PCT Guides
>set.  I am interested in "seeing" more than just the
>narrow corridor along the PCT, both because I'm a map
>freak (I love to study the land along the way) and I
>feel for safety reasons it would be best to have a
>wider scope.
>
>Anyone have a) thoughts on how effective the small
>guidebook map sections are out on the trail, b)
>knowledge of where to head in order to purchase larger
>maps, or c) experience that would help me decide
>whether additional maps would be beneficial or a waste
>of time and money.
>
>Thanks,
>Nocona
>AT98
>PCT00
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