GPS

2020aug01sat21:20

Don't get excited. I'm not planning on doing this regularly. At the moment, this is just a continuing record of how I'm still busy setting up the website.​

2020jul04sat22:00

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Have just realised, while figuring out how to structure and order the trail pages on this site, that I need a waterproof GPS-device of some sort for distance, elevation and hopefully editable route-data recordings which I could then embed on a Google Map like Berg-en-Dal Hiking Club does. Been looking at Berg-and-Dal's route data in an attempt to order what I have already as well, and I've decided that I would rather just indicate the actual measured distance and elevation gain, and then only give a grading for the technicality.

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They have some of my routes, but I also have only parts of some of their other routes, and other routes which they don't have at all. I've had to estimate some distances using Google Maps distance measurement, but that seems to be horizontal distance-measurement only, and not real distance along slopes as well, because I can't get any elevation measurements on Google Maps.

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So, I'll probably set up some kind of index page like Berg-en-Dal does, with links to the relevant trail write-ups, videos and maps. Hopefully, my index will be sortable according to alphabetical trail-name, distance, elevation and technicality.

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Just realised: on a there-and-back trail, technical obstacles do not pose as much of a problem as on a circular trail. On a there-and-back, some hikers might choose to wait at the obstacle for the group to return. It is much more unfriendly on a circular trail.

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...And then there's still the idea of getting a second GoPro Hero camera for alternative angles and shots, and new, spiky-grip shoes, and a new 80 litre pack... This might turn out to become rather expensive again...

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2020jul12sun13:10

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Handheld GPS devices are the cheapest. Automobile GPS devices are impractical while hiking. Wearable GPS watches are expensive, and just plain overkill for my purposes. Garmin seems to be the brand to go. No others are really available in SA, according to what I can see online.

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Elevation data on a GPS device is determined by means of a barometric altimeter, which estimates elevation measurements by actually measuring reduced atmospheric pressure at greater altitudes, and then converting to elevation according to a formula. However, the altimeter must first be calibrated by either standardising its atmospheric pressure at a known altitude, or by standardising its altitude at a known atmospheric pressure. It is easier to measure a standard atmospheric pressure than an altitude for the calibration, and, therefore, I thought that I would need to buy an extra barometer as well (ideally aneroid in stead of digital).

Furthermore, while climbing a mountain, the atmospheric pressure will not only decrease due to elevation gain, but it could also be influenced by weather changes. Therefore, a GPS altimeter reading is never really all that accurate anyway. Thankfully, though, it turns out that there are websites to which a .gpx route/track/waypoint file from a GPS device can be uploaded, and, with merely latitude and longitude data, the site will determine the corresponding elevation data.

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This means that, without the requirement for an altimeter, I can get a price reduction of approximately USD100.00 in obtaining a less sophisticated GPS device. At the moment, the second-from-the-bottom-in-SA, Garmin eTrex 22x seems to be more than adequate for my purposes, with its up-to 25h (rechargeable) battery-life on 2 AAs, GPS and GLONASS satellite tracking-system, as well as the Garmin routable TopoActive road and trail maps for 58 African countries (ZAR799.00), and GPS compass. The only reason I'm not considering the eTrex 10, is because it doesn't have the topographical maps included. "Rather have, and not want, when you really need it." "Be prepared." Kloppers.co.za seems to have the best prices, at the moment.