[pct-l] Which book?

[ftclp at uaf.edu (Christin L. Pruett)]

The primary reason to take the guidebook is if you do get lost.  This is
entirely possible and the probability that someone else will be there to
bail you out can be low.  I wouldn't count on it.

For example: when I left Tuolumne Meadows I looked at the guidebook and
thought I knew where I was going.  Started walking down this paved road, a
couple places secondary sidewalks branched off.  Kept going straight.  In
about a mile (maybe farther?) I am at the wastewater treatment plant.... 
So do I retrace my steps?  Or do I take out the guidebook, peruse the map
and see that I must be paralleling the trail that is off to my right? 
Laziness prevails and I head cross-country over and hit the trail.  No
guidebook... no shortcut back to the trail.  This happened to me a couple
of times.

The second reason for the guidebook (other than something to read about
geology because that is the majority of science in there) is so that you
can take shortcuts if you want.  I did this periodically - if I take the
road is it flatter and quicker?  If I take this other trail where does it
go?  etc... this behavior can relieve boredom.

My advice: take guidebook (section you are on, bounce the rest), data book
section, and yogi section plus a printout of asabat's info in the desert. 
You'll be set to do a little wandering.

Oh and by the way it is called an inversion also.  In Fairbanks we have
one of the most extreme inversions anywhere.  It can be as much as 40
degrees warmer only a few miles up into the hills.  This inversion traps
nasty pollutants (primary from car exhaust) and causes what we fondly
refer to as ice fog. When you are up in the hills, you can look down on
beautiful Fairbanks completely obscured by nasty brown fog.  This is a
wintertime phenomenon caused by extremely (I ain't kidding!) cold air that
sinks into the lower areas.

Christy

> --- Maury Schwenkler <hungry10@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Greetings to all. I have been lurking on the list
>> for a while, busy planning
>> to start the PCT in April. I think only one of my
>> major questions has never
>> been addressed here--what information do the various
>> guidebooks have and
>> what is 'essential' to bring?
>>
>> I'm referring to the PCTA guidebooks, the data book,
>> and Yogi's handbook (am
>> I missing any?). I have a good idea of what's in
>> Yogi's book from the sample
>> pages. Can anyone describe what the others are like
>> so I don't have to buy
>> them to find out? Any comparisons to the AT data
>> book, Companion, and
>> Wingfoot?
>>
>> I really only want my book to tell me about Water,
>> Resupply, and not getting
>> Lost. Everything else detracts from the adventure.
>>
>> Also looking for advice concerning maps.
>>
>> Thanks, and see you in April,
>> Maurice Schwenkler
>>
>>
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-- 
Christin L. Pruett
University of Alaska Museum
907 Yukon Dr.
Fairbanks, AK 99775
907-474-6727