Fletchlives1234
02-21-2014, 09:26
How do.
I live in the UK and I am planning on doing the appalchian trail from April to mid August. I have bought an AT Trail guide to help me navigate and to help me find shelters etc. It looks great, but as I am relatively green when it comes to hiking such distances I would like some advice on the best method to pinpoint my exact location on the trail.
Initially I was looked into buying a pedometer to help me track the distances, elevation, calories etc. However after doing some research I found that my typical stride pattern i.e. step would change so much over the course of the trail then it would be pointless.
I have loooked at various GPS devices, but as I am keen to save weight and also cash, I thought it would be best to use my Iphone 4 and an app rather than carrying additional items.
My cellphone contract is with Orange and is based in the UK. Normally when I go to another country I am very wary about using my phone and I turn off all roaming features as otherwise this can be very expensive.
However if I find myself in a Wifi hotspot I happily use things like skype as well as sending emails etc, without being charged.
I have been looking at Whiteblaze regarding GPS for my Iphone 4 and I came across the Gaia app and I have read the following:
When you have WiFi connection, use Gaia to download to the phone the USGS topo maps for the area of the JMT. You can also find a .gps file for the JMT track online and download that to the phone. Now you have the trail (as a track) in a nice bright color of your choice on a detailed topo map and your phone will show you exactly where you are (on or off trail) whenever you need to check your position. No internet or cellular connection required once you have done the downloading.
Is this the case. Can I simply download sections of the AT map when I find a wi-fi hotspot? Can I then use the maps offline to help me determine where I am along the trail?? Obviously I need to do this with my roaming functions turned off.
Are there even many wifi hot spots along the trail??
Also does viewing the maps and / or tracking my position run down the phone battery significantly??
Would I be able to download sveral maps / the entire AT map before my trip when I know I have wifi?? Or will the file size be too big.
Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Kind Regards,
Fletchlives
I live in the UK and I am planning on doing the appalchian trail from April to mid August. I have bought an AT Trail guide to help me navigate and to help me find shelters etc. It looks great, but as I am relatively green when it comes to hiking such distances I would like some advice on the best method to pinpoint my exact location on the trail.
Initially I was looked into buying a pedometer to help me track the distances, elevation, calories etc. However after doing some research I found that my typical stride pattern i.e. step would change so much over the course of the trail then it would be pointless.
I have loooked at various GPS devices, but as I am keen to save weight and also cash, I thought it would be best to use my Iphone 4 and an app rather than carrying additional items.
My cellphone contract is with Orange and is based in the UK. Normally when I go to another country I am very wary about using my phone and I turn off all roaming features as otherwise this can be very expensive.
However if I find myself in a Wifi hotspot I happily use things like skype as well as sending emails etc, without being charged.
I have been looking at Whiteblaze regarding GPS for my Iphone 4 and I came across the Gaia app and I have read the following:
When you have WiFi connection, use Gaia to download to the phone the USGS topo maps for the area of the JMT. You can also find a .gps file for the JMT track online and download that to the phone. Now you have the trail (as a track) in a nice bright color of your choice on a detailed topo map and your phone will show you exactly where you are (on or off trail) whenever you need to check your position. No internet or cellular connection required once you have done the downloading.
Is this the case. Can I simply download sections of the AT map when I find a wi-fi hotspot? Can I then use the maps offline to help me determine where I am along the trail?? Obviously I need to do this with my roaming functions turned off.
Are there even many wifi hot spots along the trail??
Also does viewing the maps and / or tracking my position run down the phone battery significantly??
Would I be able to download sveral maps / the entire AT map before my trip when I know I have wifi?? Or will the file size be too big.
Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Kind Regards,
Fletchlives