Appalachian Trail Data Book (2015);

Sometimes termed "the bible of A.T. hiking," each year's Data Book consolidates the most basic information from 11 detailed official guidebooks into a lightweight table of distances between major Appalachian Trail shelters, road-crossings, and features.

It is also the source each year for the legendary trail's official mileage. For 2015, it's 2,189.2 miles from Maine to Georgia.

The Data Book is divided according to the guidebook volumes (also available here) and updated each December to account for Trail relocations, new (or removed) shelters, and other changes. In addition to codes for lodging, food, water, and other essentials, the Data Book is keyed to both the individual guidebook sections and to the separate maps. Day-hikers and long-distance hikers alike rely on this volume for armchair planning as well as on-the-trail orientation.