Maps/Trail Guides

[hikerboy57]

So thanks to Walkinghome, as I stand corrected about the maps origins and such. However, not taking away from my original point of trail clubs being the worst kinds of political groups. Moldy, Id like to see you provide some proof behind your statement with actual cold hard facts that would lead us all to believe trail clubs to be so awful. Do enlighten us!

On most of my maps, the trails are outlined in RED. Clearly this is a suggestion that Red Commies and pinkos were involved in manufacturing their propoganda trail "finders". Why all red on the Harriman maps?

[Mags]

Best advice I've seen? IF you have to ask if maps are needed or not, you should probably bring them.

[Chaco Taco]

On most of my maps, the trails are outlined in RED. Clearly this is a suggestion that Red Commies and pinkos were involved in manufacturing their propoganda trail "finders". Why all red on the Harriman maps?

Thats pretty darn funny

[hikerboy57]

Best advice I've seen? IF you have to ask if maps are needed or not, you should probably bring them.

Ill second this as best advice, unless you are married,( then you have a spouse to tell you where to go).

[Spokes]

I'm slowly changing my opinion on carrying maps. On my 2009 thru I didn't, and got by very well, thank you very much.

But recently I've been carrying maps to play around with shooting bearings and compass stuff. It's been so much fun!

BTW, the Green Mountain Club has a fantastic 7 part basic map and compass video series.

.

Cheers!

[Chaco Taco]

Ill second this as best advice, unless you are married,( then you have a spouse to tell you where to go).

Dude you are on a roll today

[hikerboy57]

it takes some skill to be able to read a map correctly, and even most topo maps dont always show you the true picture. what may look like an easy bushwack out may be interrupted by a 50 ft cliff that wont show on your topo map with 100' intervals or underbrush so thick you'd need a machete(or lightssaber, invaluable on a thru hike) to hack through it.. Orienteering involves map and compass, and a constant awareness of your surroundings, occasionally looking back where you came (trails can look very different in opposite directions), and getting a"lay of the land"when you reach high points with good visibility.Its good practice to learn to use map and compass. although not completely necessary for hiking the AT, my maps have almost always gotten more use than my knife.so, would you take a knife on a thru hike?

[Mags]

Ill second this as best advice, unless you are married,( then you have a spouse to tell you where to go).

As a man planning on being married next year, I am starting to realize how true this statement is.

[hikerboy57]

As a man planning on being married next year, I am starting to realize how true this statement is.

mags have faith. I was married for 13 years and they were absolutely the best two years of my life!!

[4eyedbuzzard]

On most of my maps, the trails are outlined in RED. Clearly this is a suggestion that Red Commies and pinkos were involved in manufacturing their propoganda trail "finders". Why all red on the Harriman maps?

I've also noted that in respect to the AT which is always shown in RED, that most BLUE trails always seem more poorly planned, underfunded, and lead one downhill.

[hikerboy57]

Clearly these die hard liberal and commie map printers have an agenda far greater than a mere increased awareness of the interconnectedness of life and preservation of our wild places. remarkably, many of these same are now holding tea parties(shown on AT maps as water sources).
Love of the trail is their common bond, and thats enough.

[WalkinHome]

On most of my maps, the trails are outlined in RED. Clearly this is a suggestion that Red Commies and pinkos were involved in manufacturing their propoganda trail "finders". Why all red on the Harriman maps?

The Maine maps have an underlying yellow color with the red on top so I guess they would be cowardly commie pinkos?

[Tim51]

I carried a guide book but no maps and had no problems. I think a guide book is a must...mileages, Town info, water sources, shelter info...all very important. There was a few times i wished i had a map but not that often.

[hikerboy57]

The Maine maps have an underlying yellow color with the red on top so I guess they would be cowardly commie pinkos?

that would make no sense at all as cowardly commie pinkos usually bail out between New York and Massachussetts, hardly ever make it to maine.I suspect that the Maine maps are not adhering to the communist propaganda that all other trail clubs and map printers espouse.
Maine- the way life should be.

[fireneck]

Thanks for all the serious responses and the hilarious ones.

The red/yellow outlined trail in Maine is from the Maine Cartographers Union being huge supporters of Mao, Trotsky is their number two guy.

[Chaco Taco]

Thanks for all the serious responses and the hilarious ones.

The red/yellow outlined trail in Maine is from the Maine Cartographers Union being huge supporters of Mao, Trotsky is their number two guy.

typically a trend around here. Just look at what works for you, in the end, thats all that really matters