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Contractor
Boulder climber
CA
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Topic Author's Original Post - Dec 25, 2018 - 02:59pm PT
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Exploring the obscure with intent and general rock hounding is an addictive thing. There's no substitute for getting out and going but this ad hoc, self taught method has worked well for my needs so far. I definitely want to learn traditional map and compass methods at some point.
For me, it starts with an itch that needs to be scratched. Perhaps I saw something on Google Earth or a mysterious outcropping in the distance from a peak.
So the short version is that I construct a visual path on Google Earth by dropping pins then copy and pasting those pins in sequence to a saved map package in the form of waypoints on a navigation app on my phone. This allows me to go into airplane mode in the field and knock off the route in short sections- waypoint to waypoint.
The first thing I do is check out the area of interest on Google Earth to get the lay of the land and maybe take some high resolution pictures from a vantage point for visual reference. I then start plotting a way in.I do this on my computer on Google Earth so I can check a the elevations. I plot a path using the "Path" tool and check the efficiency on the "Elevation Profile" overlay. It's a good idea to cross reference the landscape on Bing and other formats, including Google searches for photos that may exist of the area. If I have a sense that I may repeat this path I focus on traversing open areas and less on distance. Using the 1/2 slope rule is good for erosion control as well as reducing exertion, water usage, etc.
Next, It's all phone based. I use Backcountry Explorer on my Galaxy S-7 with hybrid:CalTopo/Acuterra maps. The first step is to download a map package of the area while internet enabled so you can go off-line in the field. The iPhone has a navigation app that does the exact same thing. At this point you'll want to change the coordinate format on your navigation app so it's compatible with copying and pasting from Google Earth (phone version)I then start dropping pins on obvious physical features and intersections that will eventually be my waypoints for the path I plan to take.Once you drop a pin on Google Earth, you copy the coordinates. Have your map package opened on your nav app at the same time you are on the Google Earth app so you can simply change screens. Go to the "add a waypoint" screen on your nav app so you can paste the coordinates from GoogleGiving the waypoint a descriptive name like "Sandy Bench 5,462" and the actual elevation allows you to use your altimeter to efficiently traverse your way to the next waypointAlso add a screenshot from Google Earth onto the waypoint page to use as a visual reference. You'll be able to access all these components in airplane mode. I try to include in the actual waypoint page, the waypoint's name and the corresponding screenshot with a recognizable feature that I can see from a distance- like a virtual cairn. So once in the field you just do the standard "Go to" navigation from one waypoint to the next.
Doing this trail building on the phone using the Google Earth and navigation app interface method ultimately gets you pretty efficient on the navigation app and actually constructs the terrain, layer by layer in the spacial part of your brain. By the time I actually hit the objective, I have a pretty good idea of the landscape and could get by if my phone died.
The nav app has a handy compass screen for dead reckoning to the next waypoint as well.
ultimately I hope navigate on established trails waypoint to waypoint using visual cues and elevations while having the confidence to deviate at any point. When traveling crosscountry the goal is to build a virtual path that is efficient and repeatable if something worthwhile is discovered. Of course the fog of reality often complicates things. Having the innate ability to treck around has no substitute including this method.
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G_Gnome
Trad climber
Cali
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Dec 25, 2018 - 03:02pm PT
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There are some great websites for plotting your course - GaiaGPS, CalTopo, etc. Most have apps for your phone that can show you your plots that you made on the website.
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Contractor
Boulder climber
CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 25, 2018 - 03:26pm PT
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This is more specifically related to rock hounding in unknown terrain.Like this little dome with fine boulders and 50 foot crack solos, I found in the middle of nowhere.
The reason for using Google Earth is avoiding things like acres of impenetrable scrub oak, taking advantage of open dirt or the convenience of open slabs in talus areas- things that dont show up on a map.
The accuracy of the pins dropped from Google Earth and copied to the nav app is amazing with two caveats; have all settings on high accuracy and make sure the "Earth" is not tilted on the screen when dropping a pin on Google Earth.
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Jon Beck
Trad climber
Oceanside
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Dec 26, 2018 - 05:45pm PT
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A feature I like to use when scoping out off trail routes is CalTopo's slope angle shading. This overlay color codes steepness and let's you find potential class 4 routes through steep terrain
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Dec 26, 2018 - 05:54pm PT
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I’m a big fan of CalTopo. It doesn’t have some of the cutesy stuff but it has the essentials,
and then some. And it doesn’t take a super processor and schit.
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Contractor
Boulder climber
CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 26, 2018 - 06:42pm PT
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Yep, CalTopo is nice with Acuterra Points of Interest and California BLM boundary overlay. San Diego and Riverside are tangled messes of Private, Reservation, local water agency, State Park, BLM, National Forest and Wilderness Areas.
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Dec 29, 2018 - 10:14pm PT
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hey there say, Contractor...
say, this is very interesting... thanks for sharing...
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