In this post I will talk about not getting lost or at least staying "on track" on the trail and letting people know where I am and to keep me safe.
For the past few months I have been doing training walks. I have been using a free website called Plot-A-Route to not only plan my walks but to generate the gpx (GPS) file to load into my GPS map reader (more on this later). You can then share a link or print the map, to share with others so they can see your route. This route, shown below is a 9 mile walk I planned several weeks ago and was walking it when I realized my shoes were too small so I had to be picked up 8 miles into the walk.
For the past few months I have been doing training walks. I have been using a free website called Plot-A-Route to not only plan my walks but to generate the gpx (GPS) file to load into my GPS map reader (more on this later). You can then share a link or print the map, to share with others so they can see your route. This route, shown below is a 9 mile walk I planned several weeks ago and was walking it when I realized my shoes were too small so I had to be picked up 8 miles into the walk.
Once you have a gpx file, you can load it on to your a free standing GPS (like a Garmin) or your phone as there are many apps that can read GPS files or even generate a gpx based upon where you went. Note: These are not just for walking/hiking, motosports, driving even flying can use these. It should be noted that there are several apps out there that have the major trails as part of a library you can download and use.
I started with one app that just read the gpx file and I was using another app to track - both were free and I was learning to use them but then I found an app called A-GPS Tracker that not only did both had a nice feature where you can load a gpx and then tell it to alert you when you go "off track". This is good for when you are walking but not constantly looking at your phone; it is a rather large alarm!
I started with one app that just read the gpx file and I was using another app to track - both were free and I was learning to use them but then I found an app called A-GPS Tracker that not only did both had a nice feature where you can load a gpx and then tell it to alert you when you go "off track". This is good for when you are walking but not constantly looking at your phone; it is a rather large alarm!
The app can display different types of maps so you can see elevation, satellite, and the statistics as shown below; it is by checking that Monitor box that it will alert you to when you go off trail.
The next bit of tech to use is a GPS emergency monitor. Several types exist but I went with the SPOT system because I was able to pick up a used one. I have the SPOT Gen3 which allows me to send 2 messages (txt or email), an SOS or I need help but it's not a major emergency; there are newer version that allow 2-way live texting.
Here is a sample text message I sent yesterday morning before my 9 mile walk.
Here is a sample text message I sent yesterday morning before my 9 mile walk.
The unit also will track you and send out a "ping" every few so often (configurable) which I have set to 10 minutes which is updated on a map which can then be viewed by those you share the link with.
And to finish off, here are some pictures from yesterday's walk with my support animal - Bunny Bravehart.
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