[BULK] - Re: [pct-l] what do thru-hiker map fanatics do?

[msaenz at mve-architects.com (Mike Saenz)]

I'm a certified map junkie. Even as a kid, I loved to gaze at maps and
contemplate the special relationship between far off exotic places and
places I've been to. On airplanes, I love to stare out the widow and
read the land below as a map, trying to tell where I'm at, at the
moment. It's a great way to pass time on long flights!

That said- I almost always carry USGS 7.5' Topos of the hikes I take.
Not that I need such detail to navigate, but simply because I LOVE to
know as much as possible about where I'm hiking through! A lot of times,
there'll be something neat to explore that would only show up on a
decent topo map. Mines, old cabin ruins, etc...

I have a couple map software packages and I routinely use the various
on-line map services to plan my hikes. I think what you'll find of most
concern from the folks on the PCT-L is (guess what?!) weight. As stated
before, the PCT is a very well defined and marked trail. Probably the
MOST well marked trail I've ever backpacked on. What you'll find at the
end of each section is discarded guide and data book pages. For the most
important information, navigationally speaking, these two sheets have
all you need.

But I sometimes print my own maps with any special info I, alone, may
feel important to have on the trail.

HYOH, as they say...


M i c h a e l   S a e n z
McLarand Vasquez Emsiek & Partners, Inc.
A r c h i t e c t u r e    P l a n n i n g    I n t e r i o r s
w  w  w  .  m  v  e  -  a  r  c  h  i  t  e  c  t  s  .  c  o  m


-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net
[mailto:pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Marion
Davison
Sent: Friday, January 28, 2005 9:37 PM
To: Connie Davis
Cc: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
Subject: [BULK] - Re: [pct-l] what do thru-hiker map fanatics do?

Connie Davis wrote:

> My son and I are thru-hiking this year and I love maps.  What's a 
> person to do? It seems like most thru-hikers rely on the maps in the 
> guidebooks.  I have grown accustom to perusing maps for pleasure, on 
> and off the trail.  I like to know the names of places, have a little 
> color, write details on them as a record of the hike...
>
> I've thought about printing my own maps (I have the CD-ROM map set) 
> and using the reverse sides as my journal.  We will be attempting to 
> rendezvous with relatives and friends during the hike and will rely on

> some unusual access trails.
>
> I'd appreciate hearing different ideas about this.
>
> Connie
>
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We hike the Sierras all summer and we like using the Tom Harrison maps.

tomharrison maps.com
There are several fine ones that cover the PCT from Sonora Pass to  near
Kennedy Meadows south, and show all the side trails out to both east and
west.  They are colorful and plastic coated and we love'em. 
If you need to know specific maps that feature the PCT just ask me and I
will give you the list.
llamalady
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