[pct-l] Guidebooks - don't leave home without them

[eyakel at earthlink.net (eyakel@earthlink.net)]

It is Cascade Valley and cuts off from the PCT about 15 miles north of 
Vermilion Valley Resort.  The Creek is Fish Creek.  If your not pure, I 
highly recommend this route also.  It has several hard crossings but is
very scenic and has some exceptional hot springs.  

-----Original Message-----
From: Monty Tam <metam01@earthlink.net>
Sent: Jan 4, 2005 10:22 AM
To: yogi <yogihikes@sbcglobal.net>, pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
Subject: RE: [pct-l] Guidebooks - don't leave home without them

I wanted to say something about the guide book, but Yogi says it all for me
here.  Now I'm still going to say something.
  
One of the best examples of other routes for me was a Southern Oregon
Alternate Route.  The guide book suggests it:  I took it.  Lots of water
vs. carrying lots of water and the Alternate Route, in Sky Lakes Wilderness
may have been my favorite place on the whole trail.  I also took an
Alternate Route to duck bad weather in the Sierras just north of Vermillion
along a really beautiful river.  (Cascade something)  Lots more examples
too.

I've used her method, what's also known as rip-and-read, of cutting off the
pages I need.  It was great for not having to lug large books around
between business meeting, doctor's appointments, lunches and breaks.  I
have no problem destroying a replacable book for comfort and funcionality. 
I have to buy a new set this year. No sweat.  I spend a lot more money
shaving an ounce off my gear.

I also did a rip-and-and read on the Town Book and the Data Book.  I found
from other hikers that Yogi's guide, ON AND OFF THE TRAIL, is also a "don't
leave home without it"(which reminds me I haven't ordered one yet).  

For the Sierras I also used the $20.00 John Muir Set.  Too many places with
snow-covered trails to be comfortable with just a data book.

Although I felt the first guidebook had too much irritating pedantic
vocabulation, I assume to impress the reader, instead of conveying a clear
message to the reader,  I wouldn't leave home without it or the other two
in the series.  What's decodable is valuable.

Cheeseburgers!  I carried two from Cajon Pass north for dinner that night. 
Another must for me.

It's snowing here in Warner Spring right now.  Feels good.

Warner Springs Monty




> [Original Message]
> From: yogi <yogihikes@sbcglobal.net>
> To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
> Date: 1/4/2005 8:23:33 AM
> Subject: [pct-l] Guidebooks - don't leave home without them
>
> I got three emails this weekend from 2005 PCT hikers asking 
> some form of this question:
>  
> "Do I need to carry the Guidebooks, or is the Data Book 
> enough?  I'm trying to reduce my pack weight and the 
> Guidebooks seem like unnecessary weight."
>  
> Yes, yes, yes, you need to carry the Guidebooks!!  You need 
> the maps, you need the text description of the trail.  PCT trail 
> junctions are rarely signed with a "PCT that-a-way" arrow.  
> Instead, the trail sign (if there even is a sign) will have something
> like "Shadow Lake" and an arrow.  The other trail at the same 
> junction may be signed as "Blue Lake" with an arrow.  You have 
> to choose which trail to take, and the Guidebook maps/text tell 
> you where to go.  
>  
> The Guidebooks not only have maps and text description for the 
> PCT, but for many alternate routes as well.  The official PCT is 
> made to accommodate horses.  Many of the alternate routes 
> are cool hiker-only trails.  Someone told me once that his 
> theory on choosing a route is "always take the most scenic 
> route".  Sometimes, the official PCT is less scenic than an 
> alternate.  
>  
> PCT hikers do not carry a whole book.  We tear the books 
> apart and carry only the pages needed for the section we're 
> hiking.  Guidebook pages for future sections are put into 
> bounce boxes or resupply boxes.
>  
> Guidebook pages are not unnecessary weight.  You need 
> to have them with you.  It's part of being prepared.  If you 
> were taking a road trip to a part of the country you'd never 
> been to before, you'd have road maps in your car, right?  
> The same is true for the PCT.  Guidebooks - don't leave 
> home without them.
>  
> yogi
> www.pcthandbook.com
>  
>  
> _______________________________________________
> pct-l mailing list
> pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> unsubscribe or change options:
> http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l



_______________________________________________
pct-l mailing list
pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
unsubscribe or change options:
http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l