[pct-l] PCT Data Book

Tom Rogers <tom-rogers@home.com> wrote:

I find the data book very useful in real time on-trail planning.  It is
much handier than the PCT guide for gauging time, distance, elevation
change and how far to next water.


Tom -
I'll agree with everything except the elevation change stuff. The Data Book 
elevations are for particular points, but they're pretty much useless for 
determining elevation change - even between those particular points.  
Example - the junction to McIver Spring is listed as 6680', the next data 
point is also listed as 6680'.  But there's no mention of the 400' elevation 
gain/loss between the two.

There are VERY few elevations listed in the Data Book which actually 
indicate a high or low point - the elevations are for "waypoints".  Most of 
what you would assume to be high points will be followed by a 400' to 800' 
climb.  Many, if not most, of the "low points" are not really low points 
either.

The second problem is obvious if you think about it - two points 4 or 5 
miles apart - with very little elevation change - is a lie.  In 4 or 5 miles 
you can have 1000' to 1500' elevation gain/loss - or more.  If you're an 
experienced hiker, why would you assume that you're being given the gift of 
a flat trail for that long?  But we all hope for that don't we  :-)

We did a daily running elevation gain measurement on the PCT last summer - 
and taking the "elevation gain" numbers from the Data Book is an exercise in 
futility.  The "real" elevation gains are much greater than indicated by the 
books.

The data book is an extract from the Trail Guide, so both of them have the 
same "problem".  The difference is that many times (although not ALL the 
time) the Guidebook has some vague indication that there is more elevation 
gain or loss than indicated but the numbers.  But you  have to READ it.  
That's where I have trouble - I keep missing those words :-)  But then, I 
always was better with a map - directions are for those times when all else 
fails.

Have fun guys -but believe your altimeter - not the numbers you take out of 
the books.

Walk softly,
Jim



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