GPS KML Data For wordpress

[dustinpn]

So I am setting up a wordpress blog and intend to post frequent updates and would like a google map to accompany them with the last part of the trail ive done most recently.

I know I could just buy a GPS device, but I don't want to bother with the weight, and the gps cords of the entire AT are pretty well established, and I know I could use my phone to track my cordinates, but I don't want to worry about my battery dying even more.

So what I'm wondering is if a site exists that I can just plug mileage into and it will generate the KML/GPX file with the cords between those mile markers. Anyone know of any website capable of this? I also realize I can download the complete KML cordinate files, but I really don't want to manually seperate them everytime I feel like updating.

[AT_Walker]

I have exactly the same issue. I've been poking around the internet and connect find a good solution. GPS Pal by Colombia is a third party solution that comes close-ish, but it's way more than I need and I'm not sure it would integrate well with wordpress.

Please let me know if you find a solution.

[dustinpn]

Well, I've got it working. It just takes more time than I'd like.

http://dustinpn.me/2014/02/19/it-is-almost-time/

That gives you an idea what I'm after. The plugin requires you upload KML data.

What I think I've decided to do is to upload the whole KML file onto my server and access it at periodic hostels/libraries and just guesstimate the coordinates I need, or maybe just check my phone before I leave the trail and find the closest ones in the file.

Ideally, I was just hoping for some app I could plug my mile into and it would tell me the closest coordinates in the KML file, but it doesn't look like that will happen.

[redseal]

The ATC has the full KML file. It is broken up into a lot of tracks. You could always change the track color to something for the section you just did. Not sure if that would be adequate for your needs.

[dustinpn]

Just in case anyone else is interested... I had a lot of trouble figuring out how to manipulate KML files and edit them with markers, different colors, etc. Turns out all you have to do is load one into Google Earth, make any changes you want, and then save as a KMZ file. From the KMZ file you can extract a KML file with windows or 7zip. Made the process a whole lot easier than doing it manually with notepad.

Going to be bringing a flashdrive with me with portable versions of Google Earth and Filezilla with the files I need to make quick updates along the way.

[postholer.com]

So I am setting up a wordpress blog and intend to post frequent updates and would like a google map to accompany them with the last part of the trail ive done most recently.

Ok. I have a number of suggestions, all of them postholer gmap based.

If you just want a simple google map with the AT trace and your current location, build an url like this:
http://postholer.com/gmap/gmap.php?alertClick=1&simple=1&trail_id=3&lat=40.4787&lon=-76.527733&zoom=12&vw=3

For a full blown journal with a daily lat/lon added, and locations of where your were every day, check out this journal.
Click on either the "Appalachian Trail Map" link or either the lat or lon link:
http://postholer.com/journal/viewJournal.php?&entry_id=30671

You can embed this map into your website. The following shows how. Wordpress will not allow iframes, so no luck there, but you can still use the pop-up map:
http://postholer.com/gmap/embeddedMapExample.html

Getting your lat/lon once a day from your phone while updating your journal via email (http://postholer.com/journal/help.php?#JournalUpdatesByEmail) is the most painless way to go.

Hope that helps!
-postholer