CarlZ993
12-24-2014, 17:40
In my 2013 thru-hike, I used Awol's A.T. Guide. I saw only a few hikers that used the Thru-hikers Companion published by the ATC.
I recently ordered & received the 2015 Thru-hikers Companion for the purpose of comparing the two guides (albeit vs the 2013 version of the A.T. Guide).
A.T. Guide (2013):
Weight = 8.6 oz
Size = 8" (W) X 5 1/4" (H)
Orientation = vertical; when opened, size ~ 5 1/4" (W) X 16" (H)
Data points = more data points listed per known distance vs Companion; elevation shown for each data point; page indicated on data point where additional info can be found
Vertical profile = water-marked over data points
Shelters = capacity noted; symbols to indicate privy's & water sources; mileage noted to the next three shelters to the north & south; water location noted on most shelters
Town maps = Useful info listed on maps; scales shown on each map
Town Services Page = each location has its name in bold print with symbols to indicate what is offered; hours of operation, phone numbers, & addresses included where appropriate
Other pertinent info listed = getting to & from the southern & northern terminus of the AT; Gear websites & phone numbers; etc.
Thru-hikers Companion (2015):
Weight = 11.1 oz
Size = 6" (W) X 9" (H)
Orientation = horizontal; when opened, size ~ 12" (W) X 9" (H)
Data points = fewer per known distance vs A.T. Guide; additional info when bold text is used (on separate page)
Vertical profile = separate profile map from data points pages
Shelters = mileage noted for one shelter north & south; water symbols noted on data points page; more precise info noted on separate page
Town maps = Useful info listed in maps; no scale shown
Town services page = categories listed in bold print while individual businesses are in normal print; services offered, hours of operations, addresses, phone #s, etc. are also listed
Other pertinent info listed: Gear manufacturers ph# & websites; directions to & from A.T Termini noted
Comparison of data between two shelters in VA (Pine Swamp Branch & Laurel Creek Shelters):
Data points: A.T. Guide = 25 data points (not counting PS but counting LC shelter); Companion = 13 data points
Water sources: A.T. Guide = 10 sources of water listed; Companion = 9 sources of water listed
Camps/shelters listed: A.T. Guide = 6 sites (3 campsites & 3 shelters, including ending shelter); Companion = 4 sites (1 campsite & 3 shelters)
Comparison of town maps (ex. Pearisburg VA)
Size: A.T. Guide = 7 1/4" (W) X 2 15/16" (H); Companion = 4 7/8" (W) X 3 5/16" (H)
Access points into town as shown on map: A.T. Guide = 3 shown (Cross Ave, Lane Rd., & Narrows Rd); Companion = 0 shown
Services listed on map: A.T. Guide = numerous listed; Companion = numerous listed
Discrepancies/differences noted:
Elevation of data points between the two guides don't match; ex. Pine Swamp Branch Shelter is listed as 2549' in the A.T. Guide; 2530' in the Companion
GPS coordinates for trailheads & towns are listed in the A.T. Guide but not the Companion
Companion shows appropriate ATC maps for that section; the A.T. Guide does not
The A.T. Guide can be purchased in bound or loose-leaf format; the Companion can only be purchased in a bound format.
Final thoughts & conclusions:
Noted bias: I used the A.T. Guide to plan for & hike the A.T in 2013. I'm familiar and comfortable with the format.
I'm sure I'll learn more differences between the two guides as I peruse the Companion in more detail. With the 2015 Companion now available and the 2015 A.T. Guide available next month, I felt that I should publish this info now. Any errors that I published would be corrected by fellow white-blazers' postings.
If you purchase the Companion, you are supporting the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. This is a worthy organization. If you purchase the A.T. Guide, you are supporting an entrepreneurial individual, David "Awol" Miller.
If you build a better mousetrap (or internet search engine or whatever), people will gravitate to that product. I feel that The A.T. Guide is a better product vs. the Thru-hikers Companion. More data points, better town maps, easier format for find town services, and lighter weight. As a result, I saw many more people using the A.T. Guide in 2013 than the Companion.
I recently ordered & received the 2015 Thru-hikers Companion for the purpose of comparing the two guides (albeit vs the 2013 version of the A.T. Guide).
A.T. Guide (2013):
Weight = 8.6 oz
Size = 8" (W) X 5 1/4" (H)
Orientation = vertical; when opened, size ~ 5 1/4" (W) X 16" (H)
Data points = more data points listed per known distance vs Companion; elevation shown for each data point; page indicated on data point where additional info can be found
Vertical profile = water-marked over data points
Shelters = capacity noted; symbols to indicate privy's & water sources; mileage noted to the next three shelters to the north & south; water location noted on most shelters
Town maps = Useful info listed on maps; scales shown on each map
Town Services Page = each location has its name in bold print with symbols to indicate what is offered; hours of operation, phone numbers, & addresses included where appropriate
Other pertinent info listed = getting to & from the southern & northern terminus of the AT; Gear websites & phone numbers; etc.
Thru-hikers Companion (2015):
Weight = 11.1 oz
Size = 6" (W) X 9" (H)
Orientation = horizontal; when opened, size ~ 12" (W) X 9" (H)
Data points = fewer per known distance vs A.T. Guide; additional info when bold text is used (on separate page)
Vertical profile = separate profile map from data points pages
Shelters = mileage noted for one shelter north & south; water symbols noted on data points page; more precise info noted on separate page
Town maps = Useful info listed in maps; no scale shown
Town services page = categories listed in bold print while individual businesses are in normal print; services offered, hours of operations, addresses, phone #s, etc. are also listed
Other pertinent info listed: Gear manufacturers ph# & websites; directions to & from A.T Termini noted
Comparison of data between two shelters in VA (Pine Swamp Branch & Laurel Creek Shelters):
Data points: A.T. Guide = 25 data points (not counting PS but counting LC shelter); Companion = 13 data points
Water sources: A.T. Guide = 10 sources of water listed; Companion = 9 sources of water listed
Camps/shelters listed: A.T. Guide = 6 sites (3 campsites & 3 shelters, including ending shelter); Companion = 4 sites (1 campsite & 3 shelters)
Comparison of town maps (ex. Pearisburg VA)
Size: A.T. Guide = 7 1/4" (W) X 2 15/16" (H); Companion = 4 7/8" (W) X 3 5/16" (H)
Access points into town as shown on map: A.T. Guide = 3 shown (Cross Ave, Lane Rd., & Narrows Rd); Companion = 0 shown
Services listed on map: A.T. Guide = numerous listed; Companion = numerous listed
Discrepancies/differences noted:
Elevation of data points between the two guides don't match; ex. Pine Swamp Branch Shelter is listed as 2549' in the A.T. Guide; 2530' in the Companion
GPS coordinates for trailheads & towns are listed in the A.T. Guide but not the Companion
Companion shows appropriate ATC maps for that section; the A.T. Guide does not
The A.T. Guide can be purchased in bound or loose-leaf format; the Companion can only be purchased in a bound format.
Final thoughts & conclusions:
Noted bias: I used the A.T. Guide to plan for & hike the A.T in 2013. I'm familiar and comfortable with the format.
I'm sure I'll learn more differences between the two guides as I peruse the Companion in more detail. With the 2015 Companion now available and the 2015 A.T. Guide available next month, I felt that I should publish this info now. Any errors that I published would be corrected by fellow white-blazers' postings.
If you purchase the Companion, you are supporting the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. This is a worthy organization. If you purchase the A.T. Guide, you are supporting an entrepreneurial individual, David "Awol" Miller.
If you build a better mousetrap (or internet search engine or whatever), people will gravitate to that product. I feel that The A.T. Guide is a better product vs. the Thru-hikers Companion. More data points, better town maps, easier format for find town services, and lighter weight. As a result, I saw many more people using the A.T. Guide in 2013 than the Companion.