AT data book conversion

[Trailbender]

Did a thru last year, so I remember the main resupply points. I wrote down major resupply points for groceries/meals on a sheet of paper, along with the road, direction, and mileage. Saved 2.6oz, not worried about writing down shelter or water mileage, as they are noted or cross the AT, and I like to hike until I feel like stopping, not shelter to shelter.

Mainly being really into ultralight since I hurt my knee on the BMT. My pack was kinda light before, but since I tore some cartilage in my knee, I am having to get really serious about it. I am not going to quit hiking.

[Carl in FL]

You could now work on memorizing that list, saving even more.
From a purist standpoint, not so much for the weight.

[Trailbender]

I do mostly, it's mainly a list of resupply, I would probably remember it when I get to that point anyways. With knee and leg problems now, I gotta slash weight anywhere I possibly can.

[Lando11]

Better option if you carry a smartphone, AT companion and david millers guide are available on pdf. Last I heard, that won't increase your pack weight

[About_Time]

I can not find David Millers Guide on PDF (or any other electronic form). I carry a paper copy, but would like to have a backup on my iPod.
Where is it available?

[couscous]

You have to contact him directly. Putting a guide together is a tremendous amount of work and having it freely available for everyone to download would significantly reduce sales.

[Jack Tarlin]

Actually, most folks would want to know exactly where the shelters, campsites, and reliable water sources are, and would happily pay a 2.6 oz. "weight penalty" in order to have this information. A lot of hikers will hike til they feel like stopping, but in truth, most want to know what's gonna be there when they stop.

[Singletrack]

Did a thru last year, so I remember the main resupply points. I wrote down major resupply points for groceries/meals on a sheet of paper, along with the road, direction, and mileage. Saved 2.6oz, not worried about writing down shelter or water mileage, as they are noted or cross the AT, and I like to hike until I feel like stopping, not shelter to shelter.

Mainly being really into ultralight since I hurt my knee on the BMT. My pack was kinda light before, but since I tore some cartilage in my knee, I am having to get really serious about it. I am not going to quit hiking.

Sorry to hear about your knee. I have also torn the cartledge in my knee. I will not quit hiking either. Check out the AT Pocket Profile maps at AntiGravity Gear. If were to thru again, this is all I would take, along with a small compass.
Like you, I have all the resupply points memorized, and these .1 ounce maps would be all I would need.

[fullcount]

The ALDHA has an electronic version of the Companion for $8. You can get it from their website.

I have taken the time to put together an electronic version of my copy of Thru Hikers Handbook and combined it with my DeLorme Mapping options for each page. That way I have the notes from David's book and a top down map view of that section so to know where each side trail routes off in case of a need to get to another scenic view or to resupply.

Most desktop scanners will create a scan and convert it to a PDF. I elected to use the software program SnagIt to grab what I was looking for and create the PDF file of the page. Please keep in mind, most smart phones will not have a screen that is large enough to get the detail you are looking for. I went with a Sony Pocket E-reader PRS-350 as it is only 5.6 oz and utilizes the E-Ink technology that is very easy to read in sunlight (something that most smart phones do not offer). This E-Reader utilizes the common micro-USB port, so charging the thing is easy. On a single charge, it last for over 30 hours of reading (which will get you between resupply points for a re-charge as well as plenty of time to check your maps and maybe enjoy a 15 minute read before hikers midnight).

Some would say that this 5.6 oz is way too much. However on a long distance hike, if you are going to pick one luxury that has multiple uses...this is it. I have dropped and dragged countless maps, trail information, books, articles, etc in a PDF format and several books from B&N and the Sony E-book store. I am sure that a library like this does not come at such a weight savings.

The reader is 4" x 5 3/4" and easily fits into a ziploc for water safety. I have not tested this in extremely cold weather, but this test is sure to come up as the next trip will be in sub 30F weather.

I am sure that if David wanted to sell his book in electronic PDF format, the majority of the hiking world would respect his copy right protection. There even may be a way to protect a PDF from duplication or source it to a single down load. I am not as computer savy as most, but hey anything is possible. Bottom line is, if you want information in an electronic format, most would readily pay for it....or do like me, spend the time to create it in house.

[ScottS]

I am sure that if David wanted to sell his book in electronic PDF format, the majority of the hiking world would respect his copy right protection. There even may be a way to protect a PDF from duplication or source it to a single down load. I am not as computer savy as most, but hey anything is possible. Bottom line is, if you want information in an electronic format, most would readily pay for it....or do like me, spend the time to create it in house.

I emailed him a couple months ago and he said he'll have an ereader version before the 2012 season.

There isn't a way to prevent duplication, but I think a hiking guide has a lot less to worry about than music, novels, movies, etc.

[Choo Choo]

I would definitely purchase an Ereader version.

[Amanita]

As a section hiker I regularly photocopy the AT guide, and PDF version would be wonderful, even just so I can print sections as needed. I like highlight/mark up the photocopy and journal about that section on the back.

I don't think the "pirating" fear would be as bad for this as with music/movies simply because the audience is so small. Greater demand = greater chance it will show up on pirating servers (and greater chance that it will keep being reposted after a cease and desist takes it down). I just hope that if they do put DRM on it, that it's still easy for a legitimate user to transfer from computer to computer and to all their devices.