USGS Free Maps

The word 'free' drew me in as I read the newsfeed from The Goat. Maps and free. Great combo. The fact that I had never been to America was beside the point, and a trip to the U.S. Geological Survey was called for.

Direct links time out, so a bit of navigation was needed. Then off to Sharpsburg, but finding one in Georgia instead, I still sampled the topothingamy maps via their map locator. They cover some of Canada too (maybe for the invasion).

Once you zoom in enough to an area you are interested in, you can download a map and view it in Adobe's PDF Reader. There's an additional toolbar that you can download, adding more functionality, and the ability to link back into Google Maps.

With the cursor, you can get accurate WGS 84 Lon/Lat readings. As well as measuring areas and lengths (the Paradise Lakes are about 3,152 feet long), magnetic bearings are given. That could be a useful feature for trekking by compass. Remember to add, or is it subtract, the variation.

If, like me, a GPS unit is the main navigation tool after a map, there is GPS support and a lot of information in the help file.

I don't know if this is the level of detail for maps in the USA, or if there is something approaching what our own Ordnance Survey produces. Right enough, though, the 1:24,000 map that I'm looking at was last revised in 1982. I'll need a closer look at some places. Upstate New England I think.

Hardly a SPOT-Killer

Yup, as you might be able to guess for the recent test messages, I've been playing round with emailing locations to Google Maps. Hardly a killer for the SPOT system, as you might as well text the grid reference and call for help to all your contacts.

So, how'd it work? Great help from mapki.com/wiki/Google_Map_Parameters as it broke down the code. As you can see from the test messages, Blogger had problems translating the emailed URL into a hyperlink. There seems to be a limit to the number of characters. As I could replace the blog title "test message" with another message, eg "all is well", or "hurt head but am okay", I removed the text from the message.

That leaves the remaining code.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=56.567N+5.033W&z=12&t=h

This part of the code tells Google Maps to search for the following.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=56.567N+5.033W&z=12&t=h

The number are the latitude and longitude. The degrees north+degrees west in a decimal format. On my Garmin, I can swap units to H D.D° and read off the numbers to 3 decimal points. In the earlier posts, I tried the - for west, but I think that is too confusing for me. Easier, I think, to use N and W for north and west.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=56.567N+5.033W&z=12&t=h

The next code is the zoom level.

&z=9 zoom  ... level regional (example)
&z=12 zoom ... approx 1/50kregional (example)

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=56.567N+5.033W&z=12&t=h

And finally,

&t=p  ... terrain (example)
&t=h  ... hybrid (example)
&t=m  ... map (example)

Remember that the satellite image may not be available to some close in zoom levels.

Although it looks complex, once it works, you can copy/paste the code into other messages. You might find that longer code is allowed by your blogging software.

Cartophiles of the world, arise!

I love maps. Maps hold information, and information is power. When in the outdoors, it can be the power of life and death. Or simply finding a decent, comfortable wild camp hours before arriving in the area. It is almost magical.

The new iPhone also worked its magic on me when I was off ill. I found out about the launch accidentally when looking at my O2 phone bill. It launches on the 11th of July this year. Shiny. By the time I had finished watching the keynote speech, I was hooked. Heck, Jobs had be hooked about 25% in.  (link)

The big draw? Assisted GPS (dfn). This will allow so many new applications to be developed as to be unimaginable.

For me, I want to be able to link a live trail-log to blog posts. In English: I post a blog entry from the trail, and the system updates a map with a flag to allow users to click and read the blog post. An old-school version of something similar exists on this blog: My Munros map. It is clunky and requires 2 apps to get it updated. Not very WebGeo.

So, what I want to be able to do is:

1. Write post in a decent editor. Add photos to it. Be able to send post direct to my blog.

2. I want to be able to add my current location from the GPS system to the post and have this used by the software (i.e. I don't want to have to type in long old-school lat/long numbers).

3. I want that data to be added to a map on my blog (I'll accept some initialisation if required).

The details of the map (probably Google Maps), won't be as good as the Ordnance Survey, but it will be good enough to allow people to read that I'm okay/moaning/singing/sleeping in/changing plans (delete as applicable) and see where abouts on the trail that I am.

Of course, for this to work out in the real world (i.e. not within the proportion of the country that the telephone companies can be bothered to give cellular access to). I think that OffConn needs to step in - but they'd have to climb out of the pockets of the companies and start standing up for the citizens that pay their wages.

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Some GeoBlogging links (old-school definition on Wikipedia)

• Google Geo Developers Blog
• Lat Long Blog (official Google Earth & Maps blog)
• Google Maps Mania (unofficial)
• Where2.0 Conference
• Adam Burt's 2006 post:  Overview of Geo-Blogging
• Geobloggers.com
• How to insert a map in your blog
• Geoblogging using Google AJAX API
• Rob O'Daniel's post: How to Geotag Your Blog

Yellowstone to Yosemite

Just spotted the Cooncil's "what's on" guide with this:

Irvine Butterfield’s illustrated lecture will describe the glories of America’s national parks.

Experience the glories of America’s national parks through the eyes of Irvine Butterfield, renowned author and photographer. Starting beside Yellowstone’s geysers, Irvine’s photographic journey will encompass the sculpted rocks of Utah, Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion, finally culminating amongst the hanging walls of Yosemite.

The lecture, which is being organised by the North East Mountain Trust and the Cairngorms Campaign will also see the launch of Harvey’s new map of the Cairngorms.

Details - hopefully clear enough prep and marking to allow me to get to that. I assume the map launch is this one ...  ooops, I've had mine for a few days after it became available. Nice overview map.

Speaking of maps - I was in Blacks the other day with the OS 3-for-2 deal and realised that I wasn't sure which maps I already had. I'll need to start a list on the pda.

British Mountain Map: Cairngorms & Lochnagar

The BMC newsletter is out with a mention of the 1:40,000 map produced by Harvey Maps in association with the BMC and the MCofS. According to the text: "lightweight, tear-resistant and waterproof". Link to product page, as it covers a huge area. With and without bridges.

Just taking my card off to buy mine, saving 2 quid as I'm a member (includes MCoS).

NLS House Party

An accident at the National Library of Scotland caused a water leak.

Accidental damage to a pipe caused a flood at the National Library of Scotland at 23.28 hrs on Monday 10 September.

The incident involved damage to the Library's sprinkler system during refurbishment work being carried out in the front hall of the George IV Bridge building. The flood was not due to a failure of the sprinkler system.

There is no major damage to the collections and any material that suffered water damage is now receiving conservation treatment.
...
Special boxes manufactured by the Library are used to store and protect much of the collection items and these have proved very effective.
NLS statement.

I've never visited the building, but the love the maps on their website. Pont is a favourite of mine. Up there with John Speed - just don't ask me to choose between the two.

My Munros

Mosh up of Google Maps and My Maps

Held up by Hiro

Late night route-planning session due to watching two episodes of "Heroes" and not wanting to miss any of it - especially Hiro's expressions. And because present-day-Hiro is speaking Japanese, his conversations are subtitled, so I cannot look away to read or look at a map. YouTube clip

Picked up some more OS Explorer maps on Wednesday in Tisos with the great 3-for-2 offer on. Also got the SMC book on the Southern Highlands. I think I now have all the Munro-region books ... no, just checked, and I don't have The Islands (inc Skye) yet (link). As I only buy them when I need them, it will be a while before I buy that one.

preStarav

Yesterday I received the OMM Duo Mat that I ordered from the Outdoor Warehouse's stall at Bellingham (nice folk, didn't charge me postage). It is 165grammes (though OMM website says 180g) of folding foam sleep mat. For £9, for when I want to go light and basic rather than bulkier and comfortable. That won't be this weekend. (PDF manual)

Harvey's pack came in. Their Mountain Maps: Lake District (for next month's blog meet), and the Offa's Dyke bundle (2 maps and the Cicerone book).

TGO magazine came in too. The view on page 44 shows where the "AktoMan" name was born: Glen Ey. Still my favourite valley.

During the day I nipped out to Craigdon and got a wee Nalgene screw-top jar to use as a mug. Straight-sided, it's easier to clean than a bottle. Holds boiling water (e.g. a cup of tea), and is smaller than the Aladdin insulated mug I have been using. It doesn't have a drink spout and isn't insulated.

Posted the Backpackers Club membership on the way in to work. That very nice fellow, Ross, is sending me out a buff. That swung it for me. It'll open up some new options beyond the nice folk at OM.

Picked up an eLite for Simon from Tiso's, and noticed that they had Avon Skin So Soft in stock. I think they must be following OutdoorsMagic.

After work, I put the dehydrator on for another 4 hours, that'll be 12 in total. Much dryer now. Must have because the warm air was passing through more food, or because I used the baking parchment. That plug-in timer works well.

Fed some GPS details into Memory Maps and on to GPS. Added more bothies.

Phoned my mobile phone company who reckoned the problem with the photo-attachments not getting through via email is the email settings. So they emailed me a copy of the settings for me to try with my other email systems.

My mobile phone bill has doubled since getting the new phone. Mainly RSS feeds and then downloading associated blogs. To get 20meg of downloads will cost me an extra tenner. Plus I'd have to go to a new tariff. I'll investigate options later.

Dehydrator finished. I'm off to complete my packing and get an early night. I hope.

Skippinish

Ordered OL42 Kielder Water & Forest (Bellingham & Simonside Hills), from themapcentre.com - the pound off was charged in postage and package. Even my cold/flu addled brain can figure out that that means it is post free. Woohoo (cough/splutter).

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Nifty feature on the Ordnance Survey site, where you can zoom to an area, and it shows you what maps cover that area.

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skipinnish.com - they have some mp3s to legally download too. Including a Norman MacLean sketch. If you like his style, try this on YouTube too; and this. yes, mentioned him before, but he is funny, and I need cheering up.

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I don't speak German, but AlpinAktiv.de has some great video podcasts. Thanks to Chasrle at OM for finding it.

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Ooh, email from Andy Howell for the great blogger podcast. Will someone be podding the blogs of the podcast? And which category will that appear in WD's weekly round-up. It can't be an exclusive scoop if he reports it in both podcast and blog. I obviously work with Excel too much, when I keep on waiting for a blue dot to appear.

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SUW planning - copy of GMF's "The Steel Bonnets" dug out (just seen the price on Amazon, wow, it is 400 pages long and only £8.57 plus pnp), also the Osprey book "The Border Reivers". Must get an appropriate book for the journey. Maybe some Burns? Rabbie, not George. Boom tish.

Also, thinking last night that a cheap wee mp3 player with radio for the train journey, or if I get rained in to the tent. Now that this just subliminal advertising from Amazon, as they sent me a message about cheap mp3 players yesterday. Gads, the power of advertising, eh?

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alt.UOBC2007

Teine

Lighthiker asks: Should blogger limit themselves to two or three entries a week? Any thoughts?

My reply:

Personally, I open the Windows Live Writer after work as I'm working on the PC doing personal paperwork or projects.

I use Google Reader to keep tabs on blogs rather than my blogroll. They are (almost) identical anyway, plus a few non-outdoors blogs. As a browser, FireFox seems to hold all the tabs quite well, and I rarely need to open extra tabs. My thoughts are picking up about the up-and-coming SUW trek, and I'm starting to get nervous about it. When I get nervous, I talk more, or talk less. I find the blog helps me concentrate and focus on outdoors things, as I only (normally) write about outdoors-related matters. The fact that I don't get out for overnight trips as often as I want probably takes me into the majority of trekkers, rather than the minority.

Blogs as a media format can be used in many different ways and to do many different things. Some people create product reports, or old-media tie-ins, or keep a diary. I see my usage as a journal rather than a daily diary.

Listing what I did, or have to do, or what I found. A scrap-book, if you will. If I have nothing to say, I say nothing.

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Sad news from Norway. (BBC News)
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http://www.makezine.com/blog/archive/gps/ - I like the windchimes. But the GoogleEarth 1790 edition just looks sooooooo pretty. Yup, I'm a cartophile, and I don't care.

Most are eyecandy, but the North America 1733 map has lots of detail.

The England/Wales map of 1790 is in the style of John Speed. You know, I haven’t coughed/wheezed in 5 minutes now.

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Stuart's Munro listings, his index to some great photos. He also has an interactive map, where you can click to view photos (where available).

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The astute amongst you will have noticed the change in track titles. I've swapped albums to "B2B: Isles FM", by Isles FM to raise money so that they could improve their transmission range to cover the whole of the Western Isles, from the Butt of Lewis down to Barra. (if, like me, you don't have The Gaelic, you may find this helpful)

SUW Planning 2

Been feeding in bothy gridrefs for Southern Scotland. Finding some good sites along the way. Including:

A free 64-page booklet entitled "Short walks on the Eastern Section of the Southern Upland Way" [pdf file]. One up on the Scottish Border council for that, the western section by Dumfries & Galloway council is free for the price of postage [link].

TrailFAQs.com has some travel photos of the SUW here.

CyberHiker's trail log (trog?) is here.

Bothy listings at the DumGal (isn't that a "Little Britain" character?) here. I notice that there are more than the MBA list. Sweet.

Pulling Teeth

After a flash of inspiration last night, I tried the K750 battery in the K800, but no joy. Still, I found the usb charger cable hidden in a drysack in my rucksack (from 3 weekends back).

Added the North of England bothies to Memory Map. Hmm, I should have done the ones on the SUW first, ach well, I'll come back to that. Found this site when looking for info on a bothy: Northumberland University Mountaineering Club, and their worst night ever. Waking up with my face in an asthtray...sorry, must be hiking related.

Not horrendously bad, but the most uncomfortable pitch was this one above Bridge of Orchy. Not ideal, steep slope, on heather, in wet. But, hey, that's life. Or was the midge-one at Geldie Lodge worse? Hmm, I think I was annoyed to be caught out be the wee horrors, but nothing dangerous.

Back to working on the Secret Project.

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Useful site discovered after trying to use 'symbols' in the previous entry: http://www.foxinternet.co.uk/bloggerkeyboard.html

I can now be so passé about it. And thus it begins, from the α to the Θ

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BBC's "Click" tv prog talked to David Braben, co-creator of "Elite", the first 3d computer game. Ah, takes me back.

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Shout-outs on FrapprMap up to 23. So far only Chris is smiling - maybe it is because it is sunny in his photo.

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Been reading up on americanbushman.blogspot.com as he learns new outdoors skills and takes the reader along on his journey. To start at the beginning of his blog, click here.

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Downloaded the beta of Audacity 1.3 to see if it will clean up audio any better.

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Found this very early blog from Birmingham.

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Programme on Channel 4 just now about "The Last Slave". A descendant of the last slave transported from Africa by British slavers searches through his ancestor's life. The gent asks honest questions and is coping with the honest answers.

I had my eyes opened when I worked in Hull, and visited Wilberforce House. Also some of the writings of Frederick Douglass (who has a cameo re-creation in "Glory"). Man's inhumanity to their fellow man in the sake of making money. 1838 before slavery itself was abolished, it was just some of the trading that was abolished in 1807.

Couch 17

Been a quiet week. The skin on my feet has been peeling off the blisters to reveal lovely new shiney skin beneath. Picked up the Harvey's maps of the Coast-to-Coast route. It's so big it takes 2 maps, though they are only printed on one side of the paper. It'll be to make folding easier.

No C2C books in Aberdeen, so ordered via Amazon. Got the Trailblazer book by Henry Stedman/Jim Manthorpe, and, of course. "A Coast to Coast Walk" by A Wainwright. I couldn't not get that one!

Went to the MCofS meeting on Thursday. Exciting stuff. Some problems about changing to a company, legal issues, and issues concerning voting procedures. I thought we'd entered a timewarp when block votes was mentioned and thought Mick McGahey was going to be quoted. I'll stick to Markism. Bought a couple of dvds co-produced by the MCofS: "Winter essentials" and "Water hazards in the mountains".

Got an email through from a group who hiked the WHW and Great Glen Way to Inverness. You can find their blog here. They raised over £1000 for SCOPE. Shiney. Nice to see different stopping places. Reading the blog, I'm glad I missed the midge-season.

My new iPod arrived. Been listening to podcasts on it. Been watching movies on it. Being me, I dug out the oldest movie I possess: Fritz Lang's "Metropolis", from 1927, to put on the iPod. Of course, being me, I now find that "The Battleship Potemkin" is 2 years younger. Ah well.

I noticed that some of the links I put to YouTube are now dead. Both were to clips that had been cut to music, rather than dvds recorded from the TV. I guess it's part of Google's clean-up. Hmm, I wonder how they are getting on with their copying of in-copyright books? Anyway, it just means that some of the links in the blog for the WHW will be dead. In an alternative universe, I'd go and point to new links, but I have neither the time nor the inclination.

Couch 4: WHW Planning

Quiet Sunday planning my forthcoming West Highland Way trek. My first long distance walk. 95 miles. 152km. From Milngavie to Fort William. I don't know why I'm feeling daunted, as I did about 90 miles in 7 days and 7 Munros in the Cairngorms in the Summer, but the journey was broken into two as the heat was overbearing.

95 miles in Autumn. No turning back. No shortcuts. No retreat, no surrender - oops, that's Bruce Springsteen.

Feeding planned stops and junctions into Memory Map, and then export waypoints to my Geko 201 unit. For information, I'm using the Harvey's map, and books:

• Trailblazer's "West Highland Way" by Charles Loran.
• Cicerone's "The West Highland Way" by Terry Marsh.
• "Exploring Scottish Hill Tracks" by Ralph Storer (chapter 1 covers the WHW).

Websites that have been useful:

• Official WHW site.
• Andy Sweet's excellent photo-log.
• Les Singleton on the Boots n All Travel site.
• Account of the trip on the v-g site. Stunning photos.

If I can, I'll try and get up Ben Lomond, and maybe, just maybe, take an extra day at the end and get to the summit of The Ben. Ben Nevis, that is. All depends on what shape I'll be in when I get to the vicinity.