GPS Coordinates for the NPT Trail?

[Todd Heyn]

I am considering borrowing a friends GPS Unit for use on our NPT thru-hike in August. Does anyone have coordinates for the shelters or other locations on the trail?

While I will not "need" the GPS unit, it would be fun toy to play with on the trek. Just let me know.

[Navig8r]

I have a file with a track from Rt 28 to Averyville... with some shelters/sites marked. PM me with an E-mail address and I'll send it. I will also be back on the N-P next week from Rt 28 - Duck Hole (then heading towards Heart Lake via Indian Pass) so I may have better info after the 19th for that stretch.

[RC]

I must have my thru hike from last august around here some place...must likely still in my GPS since it has a 2G card in it.

[Todd Heyn]

I broke down and ordered a garmin eTrex Legend Cx. It should be here by the end of the week. If you have any coordinates for the trail, please send them along or post them for me.

I would really appreciate it.

Thank you in advance.

[Navig8r]

Hey guys... I came back last weekend from my trek. have GPS coords for all the shelters on that route, as well as pictures of them. I tracked the entire trip with my Vista C. I need to re-size some pics (huge now) to send, and I need to "touch-up" the GPS info. I will have it available in a day or 2, and will post here when it is.

[Todd Heyn]

Thank you. I can't wait to get the information.

[Todd Heyn]

Considering the general lack of responses on the topic, I will try to do everyone a favor. I will be leaving for my NPT thru-hike on 8/15 and i will try to get as many of the major places on the trail catalogued with a GPS waypoint.

On a side note, I am curious as to why the new guidebooks that are coming out do not have any GPS information in them. The technology is not really new. Any ideas?

[RC]

email me off list

[Navig8r]

OK.... I gotta get mine together.. I'll have the info available by the end of the weekend for the Lake Durant to Duck hole section of the trail. I will have a .GPX file with track and points for that section. Is there a way to upload it somewhere where folks could download it from so I wouldnt have to E-mail it to everyone who wants it???
I dont mind E-mailing, I just think it would be more accessable to all if it could be downloadable.
As far as the guides having the info: I hava a "Trails Illustrated" Map.. great map with lots of info, but has coords marked on it for only a few spots. Seems to me they could have easily included an index with all/many of the shelters and campsites, instead of just some random ones.

[Navig8r]

Oh... I also have pics of all the lean-to's and the areas around them for that section.

[redhawk]

Considering the general lack of responses on the topic, I will try to do everyone a favor. I will be leaving for my NPT thru-hike on 8/15 and i will try to get as many of the major places on the trail catalogued with a GPS waypoint.

With all due respect..........

It's not that many of us don't have the waypoints, it's just that we don't normally give them to people we haven't known for while, in person.

Especially on a public forum.

And personally, the first time at least, there is much more of a sense of adventure when what's ahead and where it is located is a bit of a mystery.

On a side note, I am curious as to why the new guidebooks that are coming out do not have any GPS information in them. The technology is not really new. Any ideas?

Common sense.

Or maybe Wildriver can answer that question.

I have the co-ordinates, I obtained them on the trail the first time I did it. Actually I kept a tracklog, which I use as an "electronic journal" with text reports and photos waypointed at the locations they refer to.

I also had a guide book for the NPT which I purchased AFTER I had done it the first time.

Once again, the first time I wanted to be "blind" except for the USGS quads which I always carry "Just In Case". With the USGS maps, a person should have a good idea of the location and distance of the lean-tos or features around them.

There ain't many mysteries left, so try to maximize what few experiences you can.

That's my opinion anyway.

Hawk

[Navig8r]

I dont see any harm in sharing detailed info on points/locations that are generally available by looking at a map. I agree that sharing your favorite fishing hole with everyone is not desirable.
I can see how some would like to experience the wilderness "blind".
Personally, I like to have all the info I can get, and use it if I need it. Including the info in a guide book really wouldnt be a harm (simply ignore the info you dont want to use), and could really help in planning.
I personally used my GPS data from a previous hike as 'notes' to remind me of travel time and speeds in certain areas of the trail. It is also helpful for tracking exact distance to a point, such as the shelter or campsite you are heading towards. On my last hike, I'd say I used the topo map 90% of the time for estimating how far along we were, but occasionally I checked the GPS to double check myself.

[Todd Heyn]

With all due respect..........

It's not that many of us don't have the waypoints, it's just that we don't normally give them to people we haven't known for while, in person.

Especially on a public forum.

I did not realize that GPS waypoints were a closely guarded secret

And personally, the first time at least, there is much more of a sense of adventure when what's ahead and where it is located is a bit of a mystery.



Common sense.

Or maybe Wildriver can answer that question.

I have the co-ordinates, I obtained them on the trail the first time I did it. Actually I kept a tracklog, which I use as an "electronic journal" with text reports and photos waypointed at the locations they refer to.

I also had a guide book for the NPT which I purchased AFTER I had done it the first time.

Once again, the first time I wanted to be "blind" except for the USGS quads which I always carry "Just In Case". With the USGS maps, a person should have a good idea of the location and distance of the lean-tos or features around them.

There ain't many mysteries left, so try to maximize what few experiences you can.

That's my opinion anyway.

Hawk

I guess we should all just "Hike our own Hike"

[Todd Heyn]

I am in total agreement with Navig8r on this.

[redhawk]

I did not realize that GPS waypoints were a closely guarded secret



I guess we should all just "Hike our own Hike"

With OUR OWN waypoints!!