VE composed map
25 Jun 2011 15:25 - 25 Jun 2011 15:26 #3207
by Boerkie
VE composed map was created by Boerkie
Hi All
I'm new on VE and must say I love reading through the forums, it's great. I'm astonished at everyone knowledge of the Berg.What I started thinking of, and though I'm not all that clued up on IT I'm sure it is possible, why not combine everyone's extensive knowledge of the Berg in the form of a map. Lets say we mark the smugglers routes, pin point "high" theft and "Don't camp here" zones?
What do you guys think?
Awesome site guys, well done.
I'm new on VE and must say I love reading through the forums, it's great. I'm astonished at everyone knowledge of the Berg.What I started thinking of, and though I'm not all that clued up on IT I'm sure it is possible, why not combine everyone's extensive knowledge of the Berg in the form of a map. Lets say we mark the smugglers routes, pin point "high" theft and "Don't camp here" zones?
What do you guys think?
Awesome site guys, well done.
Last edit: 25 Jun 2011 15:26 by Boerkie.
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28 Jun 2011 01:14 - 12 Mar 2017 00:30 #3212
by intrepid
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Replied by intrepid on topic Re: VE composed map
Hi Boerkie and welcome to the community!
I've been aware of the need to consolidate and "package" the info on this site. The info is there if you look for it, and if it isn't enough then simply ask on the forum - but this is the information age and we want less mouse clicks and key strokes. This has actually been touched on a number of times on this forum.
The idea of an informative map has been suggested before - see this thread . I think the two best ways of doing this are 1) a simple, scanned map image with annotations 2) Google Maps or Google Earth (some new map-making features on Google Maps will hopefully be available for South Africa in the near future). You mentioned this specifically for security related issues, but this can be expanded to include other useful data. Interestingly enough, some time ago I put together some annotations and markings relating to security for the Amphitheatre area. I scanned in that portion of the hiking maps and added the annotations using Photoshop. The map is largely finished but I never got around to publishing it on the site.
I always appreciate and encourage ideas posted on this forum. For the record, VE can serve as a platform for a wide range of projects and technologies, and it is not limited to the Berg. What it does take is for someone to drive the project and look after it. Sustainability is important - if you start something, will it carry on, or will it run out of steam? Just running this site as is takes an enormous amount of personal time and energy. Plenty goes on behind the scenes. So I cannot personally always be the one spear-heading a new project, though I can play a role in it, and this site can be the platform.
So who is willing to have a go at it?
I've been aware of the need to consolidate and "package" the info on this site. The info is there if you look for it, and if it isn't enough then simply ask on the forum - but this is the information age and we want less mouse clicks and key strokes. This has actually been touched on a number of times on this forum.
The idea of an informative map has been suggested before - see this thread . I think the two best ways of doing this are 1) a simple, scanned map image with annotations 2) Google Maps or Google Earth (some new map-making features on Google Maps will hopefully be available for South Africa in the near future). You mentioned this specifically for security related issues, but this can be expanded to include other useful data. Interestingly enough, some time ago I put together some annotations and markings relating to security for the Amphitheatre area. I scanned in that portion of the hiking maps and added the annotations using Photoshop. The map is largely finished but I never got around to publishing it on the site.
I always appreciate and encourage ideas posted on this forum. For the record, VE can serve as a platform for a wide range of projects and technologies, and it is not limited to the Berg. What it does take is for someone to drive the project and look after it. Sustainability is important - if you start something, will it carry on, or will it run out of steam? Just running this site as is takes an enormous amount of personal time and energy. Plenty goes on behind the scenes. So I cannot personally always be the one spear-heading a new project, though I can play a role in it, and this site can be the platform.
So who is willing to have a go at it?
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Last edit: 12 Mar 2017 00:30 by intrepid.
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28 Jun 2011 09:44 #3213
by Boerkie
Replied by Boerkie on topic Re: VE composed map
Yes a daunting task indeed! The song...."Time, if I only had time..." springs to mind, and it truly is a rare commodity, especially if your wife claims it her right to have you push shopping trolleys from one shop to another every other weekend.(Except CUM & Due South)
I still hope it is possible to get something like an informative/interactive map going seeing that most members here seem to have more knowledge of the berg than the government of ways to waste money.
It would be great help to myself and all other "new" D-berg explorers.
Thanks
I still hope it is possible to get something like an informative/interactive map going seeing that most members here seem to have more knowledge of the berg than the government of ways to waste money.
It would be great help to myself and all other "new" D-berg explorers.
Thanks
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28 Jun 2011 12:15 #3216
by JonWells
Replied by JonWells on topic Re: VE composed map
My google earth map is getting pretty crowded!! 
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30 Jun 2011 05:26 - 30 Jun 2011 05:42 #3231
by Serious tribe
Replied by Serious tribe on topic Re: VE composed map
Hi Jon
That looks similar to mine, although I also have a number of peaks on it. I would be happy to digitally put placement marks on the the peaks from north to south. Perhaps you can add the passes and someone else other points of interest by following certain themes. If we can pair themes with willing hands, we cld have a set of google points and an informative map quite quickly.
How are some ideas - pine tree locations, settlements around the summit passes, peaks, caves, passes, camping sites (areas in passes or near the start of a pass where one can place tents)
That looks similar to mine, although I also have a number of peaks on it. I would be happy to digitally put placement marks on the the peaks from north to south. Perhaps you can add the passes and someone else other points of interest by following certain themes. If we can pair themes with willing hands, we cld have a set of google points and an informative map quite quickly.
How are some ideas - pine tree locations, settlements around the summit passes, peaks, caves, passes, camping sites (areas in passes or near the start of a pass where one can place tents)
Last edit: 30 Jun 2011 05:42 by Serious tribe.
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30 Jun 2011 06:09 #3233
by JonWells
Replied by JonWells on topic Re: VE composed map
HI ST, are you talking about compiling a database of co-ords that can be condensed into a single downloadable gpx file for Google Earth?
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30 Jun 2011 07:37 - 30 Jun 2011 07:39 #3235
by Boerkie
Replied by Boerkie on topic Re: VE composed map
Hey guys
Yes!This is exactly what I wished for. If we can agree on a certain Icon "Pin Placemark" for each instance, say a RED pin for "Security risk" or "Don't camp here spots", Yellow for all the peaks, Green for passes, Pink for caves,etc. it would be easy to understand and read.
The only problem I'm not sure how to overcome is, how can we all collaborate on one map? If this is not possible, everyone will have to send their
way-points to someone who can compose it on one map. I would volunteer myself for this, except I'll have to figure out exactly how to import en export all the info to VE after I'm done and I'll probably take twice as long as someone who know what he is doing.
Here is a preliminary list of info needed:
1.Peaks
2.Passes
3.Caves
4.Huts
5.Don't camp here zones
6.Shepard kraals
7.Smuggler routes
8.Invasive flora (Pines,Black wattle,Dagga,etc) thx ST, good idea
9.Flooded river crossing points
10.?
In this way VE will be able to compose a comprehensive overview of the berg and share this info with authorities to sort out security and Invasive flora. We'll then be the "recces" of the berg.
Thx
Yes!This is exactly what I wished for. If we can agree on a certain Icon "Pin Placemark" for each instance, say a RED pin for "Security risk" or "Don't camp here spots", Yellow for all the peaks, Green for passes, Pink for caves,etc. it would be easy to understand and read.
The only problem I'm not sure how to overcome is, how can we all collaborate on one map? If this is not possible, everyone will have to send their
way-points to someone who can compose it on one map. I would volunteer myself for this, except I'll have to figure out exactly how to import en export all the info to VE after I'm done and I'll probably take twice as long as someone who know what he is doing.
Here is a preliminary list of info needed:
1.Peaks
2.Passes
3.Caves
4.Huts
5.Don't camp here zones
6.Shepard kraals
7.Smuggler routes
8.Invasive flora (Pines,Black wattle,Dagga,etc) thx ST, good idea
9.Flooded river crossing points
10.?
In this way VE will be able to compose a comprehensive overview of the berg and share this info with authorities to sort out security and Invasive flora. We'll then be the "recces" of the berg.
Thx
Last edit: 30 Jun 2011 07:39 by Boerkie.
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01 Jul 2011 07:15 - 01 Jul 2011 07:25 #3244
by Serious tribe
Replied by Serious tribe on topic Re: VE composed map
@Jon & Boerkie
Yes that would be correct. Each of us involved with the project can put together their gpx data set and then one person can get all the data together and produce one set. Any additional data themes can then be sent to the data custodian and it then gets added. I would like to suggest that Chris be the custodian of the data sets and the various willing members of the forum the info gatherers and inputters of the data points.
To make it easier for the custodian though, i think it would be best that the info is not sent to him piecemeal, rather if there is an idea for a theme, that it be added once it has been 100% completed and then a full data set is submitted. This would obviously be difficult for themes like pine trees and incidents as they could only be submitted once discovered, however there is already a lot of data on that anyhow.
It would also be good to be able to link images to the each of the data points, be it a pass, peak, cave or whatever.
Yes that would be correct. Each of us involved with the project can put together their gpx data set and then one person can get all the data together and produce one set. Any additional data themes can then be sent to the data custodian and it then gets added. I would like to suggest that Chris be the custodian of the data sets and the various willing members of the forum the info gatherers and inputters of the data points.
To make it easier for the custodian though, i think it would be best that the info is not sent to him piecemeal, rather if there is an idea for a theme, that it be added once it has been 100% completed and then a full data set is submitted. This would obviously be difficult for themes like pine trees and incidents as they could only be submitted once discovered, however there is already a lot of data on that anyhow.
It would also be good to be able to link images to the each of the data points, be it a pass, peak, cave or whatever.
Last edit: 01 Jul 2011 07:25 by Serious tribe.
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05 Jul 2011 07:12 #3255
by Boerkie
Replied by Boerkie on topic Re: VE composed map
If we can also add "Base camp" options, meaning B&B's,etc from where one can enter the berg, to the map/wiki it would also be great.
ST I like the idea of linking images to the points, awesome.
ST I like the idea of linking images to the points, awesome.
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05 Jul 2011 12:31 #3262
by Serious tribe
Replied by Serious tribe on topic Re: VE composed map
The other thing would be unmarked tent sites that have actually been used in or at the entry point to passes that can be used in emergency when you run out of steam or light. We did this in Cockade Pass last week, I will be putting a report and images together when i can get over this flu i picked up this week. My one hike a year in the Berg, when I am over here shooting work for clients.
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