Updating Google Maps with Smart Phone apps

[LDog]

I wanted a map embedded in my blog that I could update with a location-based waypoint on a regular basis, using my droid. With the help of some smart folk on Google+, I figured out how to do that - It wasn't as straightforward as you might think.

I started with a map I created in Google's My Places, and embedded that in my blog. Then found there was no way to put a location-based waypoint on one of these maps using Google Maps for Android. I got a hint to try Google's My Tracks. I had been using that app, but didn't realize it had a function for adding a waypoint, or for uploading it to a My Places map. With minor fiddling, it worked.

The full story, and our map, is on our blog:
http://laughingdawg.blogspot.com/2011/09/posting-waypoints-along-way.html


(http://laughingdawg.blogspot.com/2011/09/posting-waypoints-along-way.html)

[Quaker]

Willy,
This is a wonderful post. I have been looking for a way to do this.
When are you starting your hike ? I plan to start in 2013 and I hope the technology has matured a little more by that time.
Thank you for a great way to put way-points on a Goodle map on a smart-phone !

Cheers, Quaker

[LDog]

Thanks for your comments. We're starting next spring, and I too hope the technology matures. This method does exactly what I wanted to do, it's just a bit of a kludge ...

[JaxHiker]

Nifty! Thanks for the info! Nicer than my method of tweeting coordinates to my blog.

[Stats 2012]

This is great, Bill! I've had similar trouble figuring out how to do just this. You saved me a ton of work! Will you do your thru on 2012 or 2013? I begin mine in 4.5 months. Good luck to ya, and thanks again!

[LDog]

Stats, sounds like we're starting about the same time. I plan to be on the approach trail on Mar 19th

[LDog]

While I was hiking, Google updated the My Tracks app making the process a lot more intuitive. As folks still seem to be reading my original blog post on this process, I just updated it with an updated process:

http://www.laughingdog.com/2011/09/posting-waypoints-along-way.html
(http://www.laughingdog.com/2011/09/posting-waypoints-along-way.html)
This process works for Android smartphones. I haven't found Google's My Tracks on iTunes, so I'm assuming those of you packing iPhones are on your own. Please let me know if I'm wrong about that.

[Fredt4]

Backcountry Navigator allows you to use offline maps and set waypoints.

Would like to be able to use Google Earth offline.

[Darwin13]

i dont understand the reason to doing this? you know what you hiked what am i missing here? Or it is just like a quirky thing people can do?

[LDog]

i dont understand the reason to doing this? you know what you hiked what am i missing here? Or it is just like a quirky thing people can do?

Its a quirky thing people can do to communicate progress to friends and family.