Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers' Companion (2008)
by Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association
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Book Summary Information
Author: Appalachian Long Distance Hikers AssociationEditor: Leslie Mass
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-01-16
ISBN: 1889386553
Number of pages: 288
Publisher: Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Book Reviews of Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers' Companion (2008)
Book Review: The most useful non-gear item I carried during my thru-hike
Summary: 5 Stars
I did a southbound A.T. thru-hike this year (trail name "Mercury", if you were wondering), and I carried the 2007 edition of the Thru-Hiker's Companion with me (having received it as a Christmas present last year). With its detailed listings of trail features (shelters, campsites, water, road crossings, locations of grocery stores and towns, among others), this book was easily the most useful item of non-gear I carried. It's small and compact enough that it's not unreasonable to carry the entire thing, but it's also designed to be ripped into sections if you'd rather carry less weight. It's clear and concise, with a minimum of unnecessary detail -- what you need plus the occasional cultural note, and nothing more. The details it gives will be extremely important in resupplying, determining how much water must be carried (excepting summertime when sources begin to dry up) and where to stop each day, and just stopping off the trail for a good meal or a place to stay. The trail's well-marked enough that you don't need a map, so you'll need an idea of where things are along it, and this book does the job superbly. Beware: this isn't an A.T. how-to; get this book, but if you're a relative backpacking novice, get another book designed for that purpose too.
I concur with the previous commenter who said to get the most recent edition. My 2007 edition was usable, but I found a number of places where businesses (and occasionally shelters) along the trail no longer existed, including once when I discovered such a closure after an extra mile of walking at the end of the day. There's no reason to get an older version when a newer version is just as easy to get and will be more accurate.
Summary of Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers' Companion (2008)
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association collaborate on the #1 guide for those who seek to hike the A.T. from end to end. It is especially designed for potential thru-hikers who want the basic information (on towns and shelters and water) for a five- to six-month trek in the woods, at a reasonable price, but also want the adventure of finding out the extras for themselves. Edited by Leslie "Gotta Hike" Mass, who hiked the whole trail after age 60. With research by more than a dozen thru-hiker volunteers in 14 states, backed by the first-hand information of the trail's volunteer and staff maintainers and managers, and extensive information from the 2008 A.T. Data Book. Sized at 4" x 9" for easy packing, with town maps, illustrations, equipment-makers' toll-free numbers, post office hours.Excursion Guides Books
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