Thru-Hikers Companion

[njgramm]

I was planning my thru-hike for 2010. However Couldn't get all my gear but I did by the Companion. Got my gear together and am planning on going this year. Just wanting opinions on whether it is really worth buying the 2011 copy when money is a consideration. My thoughts are the basic general info will do just fine.

[HiKen2011]

I was planning my thru-hike for 2010. However Couldn't get all my gear but I did by the Companion. Got my gear together and am planning on going this year. Just wanting opinions on whether it is really worth buying the 2011 copy when money is a consideration. My thoughts are the basic general info will do just fine.

You're probably right, there may be a few updates for 2011 from what I understand though.

[Luddite]

A lot of things change from year to year so you might wanna get this year's. AWOL's guide merged with The Thru Hiker's guide so it should be a pretty good one.

http://www.shop.theatguide.com/The-A...-ATGNB2011.htm

[njgramm]

So from what you two are saying. I would be fine but it would be helpful to spend the $20 and just get the new one.

[HiKen2011]

So from what you two are saying. I would be fine but it would be helpful to spend the $20 and just get the new one.

Yeh,,,,,,,,,,,,

[njgramm]

thanks for the help.

[Blissful]

Probably ok with the 2010 copy but there could be a few errors

[Roland]

There's no one better than Sly to answer this question.

Consider your purchase a $15 donation to the ATC. It's a small token of appreciation for your 6 month holiday.

[Sly]

There's no one better than Sly to answer this question.

Consider your purchase a $15 donation to the ATC. It's a small token of appreciation for your 6 month holiday.

Thanks Roland.

I can attest from 2010 to 2011 there were literally hundreds of changes. Many small mistakes were corrected, but mostly changes in service providers, openings, closings, prices, hours etc.

The new guide was also trimmed 8 pages to help lighten it up but many divide it according to section where the data tables start anyway.

After making sure any mail drop addresses etc are correct leave your old guide with any trail support and carry the new one, designed to fit in quart size ziplock freezer bag.

The non-ATC member prices is $14.95

https://www.atctrailstore.org/catalo...d=678&compid=1

Members can get it for $11.95

[Fog Horn]

Anyone know if they're going to change the oval decal listing the miles, now that the trail is officially longer?

[Sly]

Anyone know if they're going to change the oval decal listing the miles, now that the trail is officially longer?

Those stickers have to be a loss leader since the trail changes mileage every couple years.

I wonder how many miles was listed on the 1st year the stickers were sold?

[Luddite]

Anyone know if they're going to change the oval decal listing the miles, now that the trail is officially longer?

They should just say "MORE THAN 2000 MILES".

[10-K]

They should just say "MORE THAN 2000 MILES".

How about 2181 miles and growing?

[Rain Man]

I just can't imagine $15 being a make-or-break decision for a thru-hike.

But I can imagine a good up-to-date guide saving you money, miles, and aggravation for all those months on the trail. It'd be a case of penny-wise and pound-foolish not to take a current edition, IMHO.

RainMan

.

[Cookerhiker]

Anyone know if they're going to change the oval decal listing the miles, now that the trail is officially longer?

Those stickers have to be a loss leader since the trail changes mileage every couple years.

I wonder how many miles was listed on the 1st year the stickers were sold?

That's a dilemma for us section hikers so I'm keeping my "2,175."

My spreadsheet total from all the years of section hiking amounts to 2,158.

[Chillfactor]

If you google AT Companion, there is a page where you can download the Companion for free. That's what I used last year with the data entered into an Excel spreadsheet to minimize paper. The site offers updates.
http://www.aldha.org/comp_pdf.htm
.

[Newb]

Those stickers have to be a loss leader since the trail changes mileage every couple years.

I wonder how many miles was listed on the 1st year the stickers were sold?

Well, in the very beginning, a few hopeful hikers had decals that read: "0"

hehehe.

[Sly]

If you google AT Companion, there is a page where you can download the Companion for free. That's what I used last year with the data entered into an Excel spreadsheet to minimize paper. The site offers updates.
http://www.aldha.org/comp_pdf.htm
.

You'll want to note, this is last years edition and as I stated earlier has had many updates and corrections. While good for planning, the cost, time, effort, print and ink may not be worth printing the entire guide, but is better suited for a few pages of a section hike.

You should also note, all profits from buying the hard copy Companion go back to the ATC and the Trail.

[skooch]

how do any of you feel about AWOL's guide? I'm looking for something simple. miles to next shelter from the last shelter, how many days to resupply from the last resupply. favorite hostles and towns. basically the non anal guide to the AT. I'd like to just skooch along and live in the moment.

[Sly]

how do any of you feel about AWOL's guide? I'm looking for something simple. miles to next shelter from the last shelter, how many days to resupply from the last resupply. favorite hostles and towns. basically the non anal guide to the AT. I'd like to just skooch along and live in the moment.

A lot of people seem to like AWOL's guide, especially since it has elevation profiles. However, to be honest, I'm not sure I like the way it reads as you're constantly turning the book as it's written both vertically and horizontally.

Since it has the data pages in front of a section, and the description directly behind, I don't know what could be easier to read than the Companion.