Critical Resources:

• The PCT Guidebooks Vol I, II & 3. By Jeffrey P. Schaffer, Ben Schifrin, Thomas Winnett, and Ruby Johnson Jenkins. The only accurate, comprehensive guide to the PCT including complete trip topo maps and descriptions as well as mileages, elevations, planning information, and updates. It would be extremely difficult to complete a long PCT trip without these books.
  
  
• Pacific Crest Trail Data Book. By Ben Go. A compilation of distances between landmarks, features, water sources, and facilities on the PCT as well as elevation profiles and information on resupply stations.
  
  Other Useful References:
  
  
• The Pacific Crest Trail, A Hiker's Companion. By Karen Berger and Daniel Smith. This book begins where basic guidebooks leave off. For each section of the trail, the authors describe the route in detail and recommend day hikes and short backpacks.
  
  
• Yogi's Handbook. By Jackie "Yogi" McDonnell. A PCT thru-hike can be overwhelming. There's much to learn: how to resupply, what gear to buy, how to survive in the desert and snow, what books to purchase, etc. Yogi's Handbook answers these questions and more.
  
  
• How to Hike the Pacific Crest Trail Video Series. Presented by Lynne Whelden. Twenty-two successful thru-hikers share their hard-won wisdom on these two, recently updated instructional videos.
  
  
• PCT By 2 in 1992. By Ben York. Written by a former PCTA president this is one of the few books about a PCT thru-ride.
  
  Also of Interest:
  
  
• The PCT Hiker's Handbook. By Ray Jardine. This book is out of print but may be found in some used bookstores or online. The author is one of the most experienced thru-hikers in the world, and presents his personal long distance, ultra-light (or lightweight) techniques and philosophies as well as practical information specific to the PCT. Jardine's techniques are not for everyone and sometimes controversial.
  
  
• Beyond Backpacking. By Ray Jardine. An updated and general guide to Ray Jardine's long distance hiking and ultra-light techniques. Again, these techniques are not for everyone and are not always appropriate.
  
  
• A Blistered Kind of Love
  Hiking together makes the heart grow fonder, right? Authors Angela (PCTA Communicator Editor) and Duffy Ballard trekked the Pacific Crest Trail to find out. Their story is both humorous and touching. Discover what happens when a couple puts their relationship to a trial by trail, read A Blistered Kind of Love, published by The Mountaineers Books and the winner of the Barbara Savage Memorial Award.
  
  
• Walk . (DVD) Documentarian Scott "Squatch" Herriott follows members of the 2003 PCT Class as they make their way northward - the young, the retired, the strong, the clueless...they're all here. Some stops along the way: Kennedy Meadows, VVR, Crater Lake, Cascade Locks, Stehekin..just to name a few.
  
  
• America, One Step at a Time . By Daniel "Sheltowee" Rogers. Author Rogers set out on a long, long-distance hike -- 20,000 miles, in fact, and along a route that would lead him through all 48 of the lower states. Follow his adventures in this book of American discovery. As you flip the pages you'll learn about our nation's past and present, natural beauty and personality.
  
  
• Trekking Along the Pacific Crest Trail Through Southern California. By Hal Margolis. In narrative style, author Margolis describes his trek along the first 700 miles of the PCT, from the Mexican border to Kennedy Meadows in the Southern Sierra. Flora, water issues, safety, and other topics are covered in detail.
  
  
• The Trail Home - Along the Pacific Crest By Alfred Wohlpart. This book describes the author's 1999 through-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. The book chronicles the author's day-to-day experiences of the trail, both the physical experiences of the landscape, people, and hardships - as well as the emotional encounters of coming to grips with a forced early retirement and aging.