~*~ Maps & Books ~*~
“Backpacker Porn”
I
purchased every L.T. Guidebook there is, and I’ve read every one of them. All
two of them, to be precise. As I said, I am a little disappointed with the
options available for the Long Trail, although I understand that barely 100
people attempt an end to end hike in any given year. The demand for better
books with more valuable information just isn’t there. We made due with what we
had but I have to say that I was missing Wingfoot in a big way (Dubs…I’m so
sorry!). I took for granted the plethora of information on road crossings and
town stops, not to mention the detail of the trail itself. There were times on
the L.T. that it took both books and the map to get our bearings. And we aren’t
idiots when it comes to map reading! I guess they did there job though because
we hiked the trail and we didn’t get lost. We found our way to towns and in the
end; we completed what we set out to do. I’m probably being nitpicky but the
obsessive planner in me just wants more literature.
The
map, the only map available, was good. I did not like that the entire trail was
crammed onto one giant map, divided into sections. I like being able to glance
at the profile, which I could still do if I pulled out the guide book as well.
The map that we carried did have a very vague and general profile, but it was
so general that a 500 foot climb wouldn’t even be visible on it. I would like
to see maps more along the lines of the AMC maps that are done for the A.T. I
don’t see it being much of a feat, as the southern part of VT is already
covered. Again, maybe I’m just being nitpicky and demanding. Or maybe I should
just get out there and do my own guide book and maps instead of squawking about
the lack of one.
The
Long Trail Guide Book
The
LT End to
LT
Map
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