AT Thru-hikers companion (ALDHA) advice

[Hammock Hanger]

of WF's book is so much better. HH

[SGT Rock]

Cool, I will look forward to seeing it on the site since the Companion is convieniently placed there so you can check it out.

[peter2003]

Thanks for the reply, I guess I am going to give the companion to my wife, buy WF new addition and hike with it. I try to stay out of politics in the hiking community; a lot of negative stuff always tries to follow politics of any hikking community. I was once on the board of directors of a hiking club, and to me it took all the fun out of the organization which basically did a lot of good and took trail responsibility for a portion of the AT in VT.

Pete

[Hammock Hanger]

It was my understanding from the business meeting at the Gathering that the Companion is going to be revamped. Not sure if it will be this year or next. Hopefully they will re-work the format.

Sgt I agree that WF's format is much better. HH

[gravityman]

I will chime in on carrying the big three. Data book, Handbook (Wingfoot's) and the Companion. The data book is great for planning the next week as you leave town, and for water sources that are missing in the handbook, and other trail info that might not be in the handbook. The Companion and the Handbook together give you a good idea of most trail towns. One will have a map that the other won't, one will have a store or health clinic that the other won't. The Handbook can be really useful on trail since it gives a lot more detail that the data book. The companion we never looked at on trail, just when planning a town stop.

Just take the pages you need and bounce the rest.

That's what we finally figured out as the best thing..

Gravity Man

[walkerat99]

I used all three of the books in 99 when I thru hiked and Wingfoot's book was far better. However, I used a 97 or 98 version of it since I could not get the 99 at that time. I hike in 2001 450 miles of the AT and once again I used Wingfoot's book, I did not bother with the others. It is my opinion that is far better than any book out there, regardless of what I think of the author. I think that is the main reason people will not suggest his book, since he does seem to have some problems and does get on peoples nerves somewhat. At any rate, it is your hike and you choose what is best for you. It is your hike, and do it your way, regardless of what we have to say about. Everyone has an opinion about everything, but in the end it is only yours that counts, since it is your hike. Just my 2 cents.... Happy Trails and Happy Planning..... Ed

PS. I did tear the pages out of the books and only carred what I needed until the next mail drop.

[Moose2001]

The annual question with WF's book is what date will it REALLY be available? Seems like the last couple of years his "annual" update was available mid- April no matter what his website says.