I think the $$$$ is a reaction to Andrew Skurka's commercialization of Steve Roper's High Route--and creating new "High Routes"; e.g. by selling topographic maps, "databooks", and even guided trips:
https://andrewskurka.com/adventures/sierra-high-route/Curiously, Skurka claims:
Quote
When I first hiked the Sierra High Route there was no official or unofficial Mapset or Databook that was publicly available. So I made my own, and post-trip I updated it and made it available for purchase. Aspiring SHR hikers no longer have to assemble their maps from scratch, which is time-consuming and frustrating.
This despite the fact that Roper's very-detailed book includes said maps and everything needed to finish the route (and so much more), and the book certainly existed when Skurka first hiked the route since it is defined by Roper's book (which I guess isn't "official"?). Also, Roper on purpose kept the exact route off the book's maps to make it more of an adventure and to discourage the formation of a trail or ducked route; exact "go here" instructions are provided only where the route is constrained and options are few.
One might cynically conclude that creating and publicizing these other "High Routes" is a way to sell more maps, "databooks", and guided trips. What these new "high routes" lack is the rich history of the Sierra High Route, such as the explorations of Hutchings, Solomons, Dusy, LeConte, and others, as well as the early Sierra Club outings.
If you are interested in the Sierra High Route, 1) Buy Roper's book and 2) Use an app like Gaia, which will reduce the time-consuming, frustrating assemblage of maps to perhaps 10-20 minutes of UI interaction and an hour of downloading. And, when you're on the route, if you see a canyon or creek or pass that looks more interesting than the "official" route, it's your adventure--go for it! I'm sure Roper would approve.
