GandC, {oops, I guess GandC posted in a different thread} I think you are quite right. Years ago I was really bothered by all the counts I heard, ranging from 95 to 105. So, I took it upon myself to count the switchbacks. I stood at each swithback and recorded its latitude, longitude and elevation, plus I had my GPS unit's track. With all the data I confirmed there are 97 switchbacks. If there were ever 99, it had to be more than 40 years ago--before I first hiked the switchbacks above Trail Camp
The definition of a switchback is important. I used the rule that a switchback must make an acute angle, less than 90 degrees, and "switch back" in a near opposite direction. I asked BobR, who has hiked the switchbacks probably more than anyone I have heard of or know about, to check the angles, which he was kind enough to do. Switchback #10 (counting from Trail Camp) was the most questionable, because this switchback makes two turns to satisfy an acute angle less than 90 degrees, but the two turns make a single switchback.
You can look at my chart below to see what I mean.
I wish Bulldog the best in doing his clicking. The switchbacks between switchback 53 and switchback 75 come awful quick, every 10 to 50 feet, so Bulldog really has to be focused to remember to click each one.
By the way, I've discovered a common mistake made by switchback-counters is to count the starting point, such as Trail Crest when going down. The first switchback occurs after Trail Crest--not at Trail Crest.
Anyway, I hope Bulldog and all switchback counters have fun counting. It is quite a challenge.
