Quote Originally Posted by FireInMyBones View Post
I agree on not taking the big compass, but having no compass is not a place I'd ever want to find myself.
Having a scale is super helpful for keeping everything in check.
The books are fine for what you want to do, but I mentioned mail drops to you the other day (mailing things to yourself further down the trail so you could have it whe you need it), I recommend using that for yor AT guide. take what you need for the first little while until you get to the first USPS where you have the next section waiting for you.

Several people hardly even use a knife on the AT. However, Hike Your Own Hike (HYOH). If you want to carry something that is most multi-use, I'd take the knife over the hatchet.
How does one "set up" a mail drop? Does it cost money to reserve the space at the post office?