Maps to borrow?

[HockeyGirl]

Hello<BR><BR>I have recently had a kind offer of the possible&nbsp;loan of the AT maps needed for my attempted thru hike in March next year.<BR>These maps are from 2007 and I have been told that I can use them provided they be returned after&nbsp;and pay for postage of maps from and to owner. Seems completely fair and generous to me.<BR><BR>I was just wondering before I accept (if he hasn't loaned them already!) if anyone could confirm that there won't be much difference between a 2007 map and 2011 that I may as well use them?<BR><BR>Or if a more up to date set would be more appropriate is there&nbsp;anyone who would be willing to offer me the same terms? <BR><BR>Thanks for the help as always <IMG class=inlineimg title=Smilie border=0 alt="" src="/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" smilieid="1">

[HockeyGirl]

SORRY - COMP ISSUES!

Hello

I have recently had a kind offer of the possible loan of the AT maps needed for my attempted thru hike in March next year.
These maps are from 2007 and I have been told that I can use them provided they be returned after and pay for postage of maps from and to owner. Seems completely fair and generous to me.

I was just wondering before I accept (if he hasn't loaned them already!) if anyone could confirm that there won't be much difference between a 2007 map and 2011 that I may as well use them?

Or if a more up to date set would be more appropriate is there anyone who would be willing to offer me the same terms?

Thanks for the help as always

[Bati]

FOR the At there won't be much difference. You may find a relo or two that avoids a bit of a roadwalk, but many of the "older" maps will be the same ones sold today.

I've had to use maps that are 20 years out of date on other trails (they were the latest set) and they were quite difficult, but the AT is largely settled. I've heard of folks using decades-old topos for the CDT; the point is that the land doesn't change that much. Get a data book for this year, and you'll have an easy clue as to the latest changes.

The AT maps are most useful when the unexpected happens, and in those cases, you'll rarely find that shelters have moved much or that new roads and town have appeared or disappeared, or that springs and creeks have been moved. Ditto for the mountains, as they do much mountaintop removal on the AT where people can see it. So if in doubt when you use old maps, keep an eye out for the things that stay the same (cemeteries are another very stable landmark) and put less emphasis on where the trail supposedly is and you should be fine. The AT is fairly well-blazed so you're rarely map-dependent. And should you be dependent on them (I was for most of Georgia, but my experiences were not normal), just look for the landmarks that stay the same and rely on your compass.

[LIhikers]

Considering that some folks hike the trail without any maps, the 2007 ones shouldn't be much of a problem.

[Wise Old Owl]

Because of the weight and bulk the few that make it and the others that I hang with use the companion paperback as their bible.