The longtime champion of thru-hiking guides for two decades! Now with professionally crafted elevation profiles, new maps and 20 more of them. The Companion remains the only thru-hiking guides that reflects the perspectives of many hikers and the only oen produced by nonprofits that return the proceeds entirely back to the trail. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association collaborate each year on this guide especially designed for potential thru-hikers who want the basic information 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 Robert Sly Sylvester, with research by more than three 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 2014 A.T. Data Book. Now 6 x 9 and on lighter stock, its 288 pages include maps, a link to its own app, equipment-makers' toll-free numbers, post office hours, and details on town sources of food, beverages, and laundry machine. Read Less