The champion of Appalachian Trail guides for long-distance hiking for more than a quarter-century! With professionally crafted elevation profiles, 50 updated maps, and comprehensive tables for more at-a-glance information on-trail.Ã The Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association collaborate each year on a 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. A favorite of section-hikers, too. Still the only such guide written by volunteers for which all the proceeds are returned to the Trail by these two nonprofits.Ã With fact-checking 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 2019 A.T. Data Book. Equipment-makers' toll-free numbers, post office hours, much more included.