VE composed map

Some sort of collaboration is possible with Google Maps, if you have a Google account. Unfortunately, for some odd reason SA is one of the last countries for which the new mapping tools are not available yet. I think this will come though, and this may be the way to go.

Bear in mind that all of the GPX file downloads available on this site can be opened with Google Earth and can be uploaded onto Google Maps. For that reason I'm a bit reluctant to have two versions of the same waypoint (especially caves, peaks and passes) which need to be maintained, unless the waypoint is used in a special way on this map (like comments and pictures).

While on the topic, the reason the GPX files are stored split up as they are is to handle updates easier (users have an easier time finding an updated item as well as new ones), as well as to handle data from different sources, for quality control, since the file is linked to your profile. This is useful since caves, peaks and passes do get erroneously marked and I put a lot of effort into ensuring the accuracy of my own data. It is also simply the history of how things were started on the site. I realise storing everything in one big GPX file does have advantages, but am not totally sold on it, since its so easy to combine them on your own computer. Am open to opinions and suggestions on this though.

A GPX file for the Pine Tree Project will be available soon, and any other category (like junctions and campsites) can be added. I just don't even really keep up with my own personal database which has plenty of these kinds of waypoints already.

Perhaps this should be narrowed down a little in scope as well as geographic area so that we can work out what we actually want and how we want to do it. Take Cathedral Peak area, for example, as a pilot project. Think about ways in which such a map offers a better advantage over simply opening a GPX file with Google Earth/Maps.

I have been working on a Google Maps project which will serve as an example of how it could be done. Still need a few days to finish it off.

I think (with my experience of GIS) that what we are actually after is a geo-database. I have the software (open source of course) to put together such a geo-database, but it will take me a little bit of time to sort out a database of sorts. The suggestions made will provide a great baseline, but the future requirements will take some thinking through. The future requirements of any project are always the limitation, as it takes someone with a strategic mind to see what the future possibilities are.

If we could take a couple of days and all post here what the requirements are, I could chat with a couple of guys who have oodles more GIS experience than I do, and work out a way to put together a GIS database and serve this online via a Google earth interface... Intrepid, maybe you can send me what you have in your GM project, and I can see what I can unearth through the MDTP project etc....

Here is an example of what can be done on Google Maps:
maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=214155639705749540351.0004a8326a56c4ca4979e&msa=0&ll=-29.012569,29.207282&spn=0.035654,0.066047

Once you click on the above link, zoom in a little and select the Terrain view for a topographic base map. This is the Organ Pipes / Thuthumi Pass area. You can see that it is possible to include routes, various waypoints and shapes. Click on the Rolands Cave and Thuthumi Pine Infestation markers and you will see that pictures appear in the pop-up bubbles. Click on Organ Pipes Pass and you will see links to the write-up and GPS data on this site. These are all examples of what can be done. Its effective but does have some limitations. The new map tools I mentioned earlier in this thread relate more to advanced features which are not totally necessary right now. Collaboration is possible (send me a PM with the email address associated with your Google account if you want access to edit and add to it). Response anyone?

@domsmooth: the KML file for this map can be downloaded at the above link.

@ Intrepid I have been experimenting as well and uploaded all my tracks waypoints etc onto a google map, but the one limitation I have come accross is taht it lists all the waypoints first and then all the track in multiple pages. It appears to only display what is on each page at a time, so you will be looking at all the waypoints starting with abc and nothing else, likewise when you page through,(which is quite slow, althouh there is a huge amount of info) to look at tracks, there are no waypoints.

I don't know if there is a way round, other than splitting into smaller area maps.

Your sample area is really neat having all the links to pics, and track downloads PINES!!!(get itchy bushknife hand) etc.

diverian wrote: @ Intrepid I have been experimenting as well and uploaded all my tracks waypoints etc onto a google map, but the one limitation I have come accross is taht it lists all the waypoints first and then all the track in multiple pages. It appears to only display what is on each page at a time, so you will be looking at all the waypoints starting with abc and nothing else, likewise when you page through,(which is quite slow, althouh there is a huge amount of info) to look at tracks, there are no waypoints.

Ja I've seen that, and it is a limitation. We may well have to split it up into smaller areas and categories, as you've said, and exclude excess waypoints and tracks.
(About the pines, yep need to plan the next one!)

Boerkie wrote: What if we can persuade officials to tap into their 2 Way radio communications frequency? How awesome would it be to receive a weather forecast and warnings a an set time every day, say 6am & 6pm. The added security by being able to report incidents, injuries, crime, etc on the spot. They can even rent out hand-helds to hikers who don't have their own. Surely it must be a win-win situation for all.

Don't see that happening so easily! Cell phones would probably be a better way anyway. A phone-in weather broadcast does already exist for the Berg. Contact details are available on this site for all KZN Wildlife officials in the Berg - this should be handy on hikes, together with a cell phone, for reporting all emergencies. As for a phone-in hiking update, the question would be who does it and who pays. A weekly(?) hiking report was broadcasted over the radio some time back, but it seems this ran out of steam. Another way might just be to have a simple text page on this site with short updates, which can easily be browsed by cell phones given enough signal strength. Or updates can be posted on Twitter which can send SMS updates if you subscribe to that feed.


Anyone who wants look into this and experiment with the map feel free. I'm pretty tied up with other things currently.

The pilot map looks brilliant. I know that with Google Earth, one can create folders for different things, so it may be that this is possible to avoid the pages and pages that you have experienced, Diverian. I can try and find out whether this is a possibility in Google maps, as this is a excellent effort! Well done Intrepid.