16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Incomplete and heavy, November 13, 2005
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Comments to 7th Rev edition (2008), 256 pages
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After reading a comment to my review I've decided to finally purchase the newer edition to replace my torn down hiking companion. The book is a tiny bit smaller and lighter than before. Which sounds about right as it is also 32 pages shorter. The pictures, maps, elevation profiles look all the same (still no topo maps and same coarse elevation profiles). The chapter layout is the same, but certain sections have been rearranged (equipment checklist moved to the front, GPS coordinates are in the chapters now). The CT summary, a table with very dense but great information on all segments, sadly, disappeared completely. I am getting the impression that the Colorado Mountain Club will do everything to make you buy the Trail Databook as well. Considering this and the fact that the cover price has been increased from USD 22.95 to 24.95, I would not say this book is evolving in a hiker friendly direction.
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Review of 6th Rev edition (2002), 288 pages
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This is the first book that I have read from back to front. I hiked the CT from Durango to Denver in 32 days from mid-August to Mid-September 2005 and this book was my main guide. I wanted to give this book 2 stars only, but because it actually brought me all the way, I decided on 3. What is the reason for this harsh judgment?
The reason is not, that I had to read it backwards! - Some people on the trail found it confusing to read it the wrong way, but I found the description of the trail adequate in most places. I got lost a few times when missing a junction, but this happened maybe once a week and is part of the game. In general the trail is extremely well marked. - No, I find the data in this book incomplete. Everything and more (except for sketches of trail towns) you will find in the tiny and cheap Trailside Databook from the same publisher. My main complaints are, that this book
* has very little concrete information about water sources (!) and campsites.
* poor maps. The maps included are US Forest Service maps that show no elevation data (unlike USSGS topo maps). This makes it near impossible to figure out any geographic features. This also means you probably want to buy additional maps. This could easily cost you 100 bucks! Other guide books (PCT) include usable maps.
* has very coarse elevation profiles. Usually only 4 to 6 data points are given for each of the 28 segments. You might actually be walking uphill, while the elevation profile points down! In a time of computer generated elevation profiles this is inexcusable. (Even the displays at segment trailheads show _much_ better profiles.)
* gives elevation "gain" for each segment but no "loss" information. This is important if you have a bad hip or hike the "wrong" direction where "down" and "up" switch places.
The book is printed on very glossy, heavy paper. This means beautiful pictures are included. But it also means that most hiker tear out pages as they go to save weight. The paper does not burn well and can't be used as a fire starter at all.
On the positive side the book tries to teach you a little bit about the history of each of the 28 segments (usually one page). As I went on I really enjoyed reading them and got a feeling for the history (mostly mining and railroads).
The book is adequate as a guide. My recommendation for those planning a thru-hike: get the trailside data book from the same publisher (better get 2 copies, as I lost mine early and it was impossible to replace on the trail) and a set of good topo maps. You might get away without maps, as the trail is very well marked, but having them provides an additional layer of safety and a lot of interesting information.
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