AT guide for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AT guide for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please note: The dates for the Gathering listed in AWOL's A.T. Guide are wrong. The 2011 Gathering will, in fact, be Oct. 7-8-9, at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, Mass.
That's Columbus Day Weekend, so many folks have an extra travel day and can stay over Sunday night so they won't miss Weathercarrot's fabulous Trail Trivia Contest!
Details at http://www.aldha.org/gathring.htm
As a current thru hiker this year, there is no question, awols guide is so much better then the companion. my only complaint with awols guide is the elevation profile that we all rely on too much. the companion on the other hand is spare toilet paper/fire-starter. it is missing way too much essential data, especially water sources. if you are still debating which book to buy, DONT GET THE COMPANION!!!!
L Dog
AT 2000 Miler
The Laughing Dog Blog
https://lighterpack.com/r/38fgjt
"The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness." - John Muir
When can one expect the 2012 versions to be printed?
L Dog
AT 2000 Miler
The Laughing Dog Blog
https://lighterpack.com/r/38fgjt
"The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness." - John Muir
AT Guide and Data Book.
Appalachian Pages, and now the AT Guide have been improving each year.
Last edited by Lyle; 06-07-2011 at 19:30.
I had been carrying the ATC 2011 guide until mile 800. Then I switched to AWOL's 2011. Trail profile and additional water sources were worth the switch. I also tear out the pages that I am hiking that day and put them in a sandwich bag in my pocket for easy access.
AWOL's guide was use by the majority of NOBO'S Thru-hikers, probably around 80% (not an exact figure). His layout seemed superior, had more data, but many preferred the additional info in the AT Companion. Some thought AWOL's was a deciding feature, others appreciated the more upto date info in the ATC. I found two hostels in the 2010 ATC that weren't listed by either.
Order your copy of the Appalachian Trail Passport at www.ATPassport.com
Green Mountain House Hostel
Manchester Center, VT
http://www.greenmountainhouse.net
I started with just the Companion, then picked up AWOL's guide in Connecticut when my Companion was tiny anyway. I really loved having the Companion at night for longer term planning and a few pages of AWOL's guide wadded up in my hip belt in a zip loc for "while hiking" use. So satisfying getting to the last page of the AWOL AT Guide and just staring at that insane profile of Katahdin.
AT '11
Springer Mtn. 3/16/11 -------> Katahdin 8/24/11
Stoveless and Slackless
While I can only applaud AWOL's success with his book and guide, as I understand the profit from the Companion goes to the ATC, which supports trail/shelter maintenance/building along the AT. Without this, the AT would not last long. It seems to me AWOL would have provided a better service to the hiking community (which does not consist only of thru-hikers) by helping improve the Companion.
If the AT Guide lists more water sources than the Companion, I do hope the Companion catches up. The elevation profile should perhaps be added too, but without making the text harder to read. Personally, I would not hike without the AT maps, which have pretty good elevation profiles already, so I do not really care for another in a guide.