What type of map is most useful for a person hiking
along the appalachian trail?

Recommend using Guthook’s AT Hiker App (iOS, Android), which is quite useful if you want to pinpoint your location along the trail with a Smartphone GPS (which can still operate when it’s not connected to cell phone service.) It’s better than carrying a trail map because it’s always up-to-date and the app lets you share information with other nearby hikers (like local Wifi passwords, the location of good campsites, water availability, and shelter conditions) using a virtual trail register capability. While you can carry a paper version of the AT Guide or tear out pages from it, I refer to a PDF version of it and Guthook’s App on my smartphone. Like it or not, a smartphone has become an essential on the Appalachian Trail. (See the Appalachian Trail Cell Phone Guide)

Except hold on to his or her beliefs even if there is no evidence for those beliefs.