Maps

[littlefoot33]

I know this is kinda silly and you guys are gonna laugh at me, but I am a sucker for actual, legit, paper maps. The kind with creases that you can fold into nice little squares and mark-up with notes every night. I'd probably be fine without them, but I'd just like to have them for a visual reference as I plan my trip and tentatively plan mail-drops and meet-ups and stuff.

Where is the cheapest place to get them for the AT? So far the best I found online was $200+ on the AT Conservancy site. That's more than my tent cost.

Much thanks!

[wrongway_08]

No cheap place to get them, I bought the complete set and all guides for the maps from the A.T. website. I think cost was around $160.00 - that might have also included the cost of the thru-hiker companio also. I will look for the web site for you.


https://www.atctrailstore.org/catalo...tid=0&compid=1

this is the site

[couscous]

Where is the cheapest place to get them for the AT?

From someone selling a used set...
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=67114
Other options include printing your own maps from software like Delorme Topo 9 or printing them from online sources. Hard to develop the perfect map with enough topo detail and points of interest while still covering an adequate section of trail.

[wrongway_08]

Sorry, missed the part of your post about the $200.00 plus ....


Yea, look for used on this site. Best bet.

[10-K]

Buy the set, take care of them and you'll be able to get at least 50-60% of your money back reselling them.

[TheChop]

Just got my set and have been pouring through them. It's a whole boatload of information and a massive amount of maps. I'm not getting up off the couch to count but I'd say 40-45 maps included. 4-5 bucks a map is a good deal. Some of the National Geographic maps are 10-12 bucks by themselves plus you get the little guide books.

The only odd part I've noticed are the guidebooks are written SOBO so if you're NOBO you read them backwards which seems very very weird.

[10-K]

The only odd part I've noticed are the guidebooks are written SOBO so if you're NOBO you read them backwards which seems very very weird.

Maybe the assumption is the trail starts in Maine and ends in Georgia instead of the other way around.

nobo = right handed sobo = left handed

[No Cows]

Just got my set and have been pouring through them. It's a whole boatload of information and a massive amount of maps. I'm not getting up off the couch to count but I'd say 40-45 maps included. 4-5 bucks a map is a good deal. Some of the National Geographic maps are 10-12 bucks by themselves plus you get the little guide books.

The only odd part I've noticed are the guidebooks are written SOBO so if you're NOBO you read them backwards which seems very very weird.

The data book is written that way also, odd since most folks hike NOBO but I'm sure there's reason

[shelterbuilder]

Congratulations on becoming so wise at such a young age!

A good set of maps - coupled with a good compass that you know how to use - is an asset that can get you out of a jam when those around you are stumbling around in circles.

Used, from someone here, is probably your cheapest option. (Personally, I tend to keep my old maps/guidebooks - they make an interesting historical read later in life, as you can look back through them and notice changes that have taken place: re-locations, new shelters, old shelters removed, etc.)

BTW, the OLD maps and guidebooks for Pa. used to read in both directions (the book was divided in half - half reading NOBO, the other half reading SOBO)...but the old maps left a GREAT deal to be desired in terms of today's quality and detail - black and white maps for most of the state, and an extremely small scale reproduction of the topography.

Good luck!

[RichardD]

I too like maps and am considering purchasing the complete set. However a couple of years ago when I hiked part of the AT I picked up a map in a hiker box then was given another further down the trail by another hiker. The maps, of the trail in Virginia, contained only a narrow strip of perhaps only a mile or so in width. The map showed the trail detail admirably but showed almost nothing of the surroundings.
Perhaps someone with the complete set can tell me, are they all this way or do some of the maps show a lot more of the surroundings?
I know I would be quite disappointed if I spent the $230 or so for the set from the conservancy and found most of them to be just narrow strips.
I like to be able to study the map, pick out the surrounding mountains and see the locations of the surrounding towns.
I know its not needed for trail navigation but I enjoy studying the maps.

[Blissful]

Depends on the maps. Some show more, some less (like PATC maps of the AT in SNP on up north to PA show more of the blue blaze trails). But all are geared toward the AT. However that should not deter one from a map purchase. I believe they are good to have.

[rapchizzle]

I enjoy a good paper map too. I figure I'm going to try and get the set before i go and have them mailed every so often. Then again, I just like maps. I've got a wall at my house covered in nautical charts of areas I've fished.

[jeremesh]

Maps are always cool.. I have been getting the AT maps a section at a time as I head into that area.

[FatherTime09]

I'm usually a pretty visual person too and enjoy being able to look at a map, but from the maps I've seen, the only advantage they will give you is being able to see the terrain ahead. I hiked with only the Companion (and with a guy with maps for a week or so) and the amount of information it has gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect. For instance, it gives the distance between landmarks and the elevations of each. That doesn't mean that between a spot that's 1000ft and another that's 1005ft you're not going to go down a few hundred and back up... BUT, you're going to hike it no matter what anyway right? I mean, I'm also the type of hiker that likes to take it as it comes too, so I'd mostly only check the distances at shelters or other major landmarks to see how much further to the next shelter (or town, and you're going to know ahead of time that you need to stop for resupply). But I'd pretty much decide in the morning what my destination was anyways, based on the miles.
So I'm rambling a bit here but here's my point: In my opinion, the Companion gives you all the information you will need. I would check it out if you haven't already. It would save you the money and the hassle of having the right maps at the right times.
Just one man's opinion.

[C Seeker]

look under buying used gear forum...someone is selling there whole set. I think it is for 170$ but don't quote me on it. Also keep your eyes open in used bookstores.

[Igor]

Is it a better idea to get the maps all at once prior to starting a thru, or are they readily available along the way (like no extra non-resupply trips to go get them)?

[Chubbs4U]

how often are the maps updated? Are they updated every few years, every year or only a few times overall?

[WalkinHome]

For common sense reasons, most maps and guides are updated whenever the inventory runs out. Some clubs may reprint their product if the changes are minimal. In Maine, that is about 5-6 years. An exception might be if there was a huge relocation but in this day and age, I think that is unlikely.

[kayak karl]

and the relocation's that are made for whatever reason are newly blazed and easy to follow.

[GeneralLee10]

Just got my set and have been pouring through them. It's a whole boatload of information and a massive amount of maps. I'm not getting up off the couch to count but I'd say 40-45 maps included. 4-5 bucks a map is a good deal. Some of the National Geographic maps are 10-12 bucks by themselves plus you get the little guide books.

The only odd part I've noticed are the guidebooks are written SOBO so if you're NOBO you read them backwards which seems very very weird.

It is 37 maps total. I numbered all my maps so that I could tell my wife I need maps number 12-16. A much easier way than tell someone I need the Tenn. map you know the one with.......
I lost one map going into the Whites map number 29 or 30 something close to that. Just lay them out on your table and match the matchlines up. It is very easy to do, well for me it was as I was in the Land Surveying business for 13 years.