Why binder format? Both here and in the similar BPL thread the comment is made that the binder format is superior.[quote]
1) PCT thru hikers only number app 300 per yr. A binder format should appeal to a larger market comprised of folks who might like to hike portions/sections, etc, w/o tearing up a perfectly good book.
2) Updates. Updates. And mo updates. Get the point? <chuckle>
3) Larger type and maps. I think this one's obvious. JIC it's not here's an example: Who wants to carry a large magnifying glass?
4) An 8.5X11 three-ring format allows one to customize one's book w/readily available materials. E.g. Add your own cross referenced text to a section, etc.
5) Did I mention marketing? <chuckle> I'd like to see Eric make a buck or two. Hoping that he'll continue to offer us updated (dere's dat woid agin) versions. A larger market will help ensure he continues w/the Atlas project.
[quote]I would have assumed that the smaller page format would be better. It's not like you're going to keep each page and reassemble the book at the end of a thru-hike; maybe the reference here assume copying the pages to then put them back in.[quote]
Perhaps a small book would be better for a PCT Thru Hiker .... but only perhaps. Examples:
A) Some thrus would prefer the option of a keepsake. Which being in a binder format they may annotate, and so on.
B) Less work when planning your trip. Isn't organizing a thru hard enough w/o all the work that goes into ripping up good books and assembling, etc, all of the bits and pieces?
C) Most thrus appear to want folks like Eric (2007 thru FYI) to succeed. A binder format will help the project succeed (albeit not guarantee it) as noted above. IOW, what's good for thrus today is not necessarily good for thrus tommorrow. Specially if Eric only sells to a few thrus (estimated max sales of 300 per yr).
BTW; IMHO thrus will find that a properly cared for binder sheet will last the whole trip.
[quote]I think I'd rather cut up the smaller book so that the pages will hopefully fit neatly into a quart-sized ziplock bag.[quote]
I've used quart ziplock's for self printed maps, etc, and it works fine w/8.5X11 sheets.
[quote]I say "I think" as until seeing the final product, it's hard to know if the print size will be on the small size for aging eyes to read comfortably.[quote]
I guarantee it won't be comfortable w/o some kind of magnifier. Have you used a magnifying glass in the field to read (in full), a map/book?
[quote]Anyway, for the roughly 2/5 of the trail we should have covered this way, I too am looking forward to trying it out.
So far so good. Needs more work IMHO. I'll send Eric some suggestions when i've had more time w/the sample sheeets. Pretty busy lately. In fact I have to go for a hike now. "Work, work, work." Cya!
Peace,
Richard.