View Full Version : Anyone buy the map bundle from ATC Store?
Earl Grey
04-13-2007, 00:12
Looking at just going ahead and buy all the maps at once and bounce the ones I need around. The maps they approve for the trail are they good? Ive never looked at an ATC map but usually just bought the Natl Geo. map for whatever I was going to do or a Forest Service map. In the bundle they include the Maine guidebook which makes me think you need it for there?
terrapin_too
04-13-2007, 00:16
The ATC maps are generally excellent. The 1990 maps for PA were pretty poor. I just bought new (2007) maps for PA and VA. The new PA maps are some of the nicest I've ever seen. They're printed on some sort of plastic so they're quite rugged and waterproof... but a bit heavy. The guidebooks definitely are not taken on long-distance hikes.
I'm under the impression that many people don't take maps. Especially, the good ones, because of the weight, and because they are trying to do this as cheaply as possible and $165 can buy a lot of noodles. Though I probably will, because I like to know what I'm in the vacinity of.
I'm sure that some of the past thru-hikers will speak up though.
terrapin_too
04-13-2007, 00:40
I'm under the impression that many people don't take maps. Especially, the good ones, because of the weight, and because they are trying to do this as cheaply as possible and $165 can buy a lot of noodles. Though I probably will, because I like to know what I'm in the vacinity of.
I'm sure that some of the past thru-hikers will speak up though.
There's no consensus. Yes they're heavy. No, they're not absolutely necessary... in most cases. You can rationalize both ways. I like having maps. But if you're trying to do a really long hike without mail drops or bounce boxes, it gets dicey.
For example... the ATC maps to cover Virginia weigh 11.2 oz. There are 3 large maps for SNP, and three smaller ones for the southwest part of the state.
Earl Grey
04-13-2007, 00:58
The reason Im getting them is for in case of emergency. They would be very useful but its true they are expensive for all of them though. You could buy some nice gear with that for sure.
You can do the AT without maps, but I wouldn't. If you must economize financially or weight-wise, forgo the state guidebooks.