Happy Treasure Hiking!!

I have created a tracker for participants in the Connecticut program. You don't have to live in CT to participate, of course!!

Here is the link:

http://www.atlasquest.com/showinfo.html?gTrackerId=3391

You do not have to sign up for the tracker to participate, but it will help us to know how many are participating, and it will ensure that you receive any updated info.

Happy Trails!

Kit Kat 61

Okay,
I'm new at this.
So how is everyone keeping track of the mileage. Do I need to get a pedometer?? If so, what is a good one that is not overly expensive.

Sally-O

So how is everyone keeping track of the mileage

Finding: i use what is posted in the clues. i don't round up.
If i'm planting i go to google maps and use the line thingie which gives you yardage even. Its handy if you can see the trail on the satellite view. For state parks i use the brochure they provide. National parks i use brochures. Before i plant i usually map it out before i go so i have an idea what i'm doing and where i'm going. (Also handy to leave your map with someone when you leave in case you get lost.}

deniserows
without a pedometer

How about using my GPS??? I need a tutorial!

Depends on what kind of GPS you have. i have a Garmin Personal Navigator (with fish marks the spot waypoints) and the car has a Garmin Nuvi 360. (letterbox alarmed) Both can go out on the trail with you. Try goggling your GPS and there will be a tutorial on how to hike with it. i'm pretty sure

deniserows
and navigates with a GPS

I have a gramin forerunner watch that I normally use for walking and running, but have loved having for my letterboxing hikes.

I did find it goes a little wackadoodle in the Columbia Gorge. Something about the large granite walls or something. At least that's what garmin was saying.

I did find it goes a little wackadoodle in the Columbia Gorge. Something about the large granite walls or something. At least that's what garmin was saying.

Yes, any time you're in a gorge or along a steep slope, especially with rock, you get "bounce." The signal can be off 100 feet, or just go temporarily nuts, especially if the battery is getting low. And thick conifers don't help, either. And then it depends on where the satellites are in the sky. Basically, gps is not a sure-fire thing. You do have to interpret what it's telling you.

I've had local trails that I used a measuring wheel to obtain extremely accurate distances, and people who had measured the same distance using their gps were substantially off. I think I had 4.5 miles and they might of had 5.5 or 3.5. I think your estimated mileage would be just as accurate as a gps if you used the measuring feature on Google Earth or a pedometer.

Do I need to get a pedometer?? If so, what is a good one that is not overly expensive.

Since I found out about Treasure Hiking I've been trying to figure out what would work best for me for measuring mileage. I have a very simple pedometer that I got a number of years ago through my health insurance rewards program -- very basic, measures steps, nothing else. I've spent some time along a close by rail to trail route comparing the map provided online, the mile markers on the rail to trail and my steps as measured by the pedometer. So far on flat terrain I've figured out how many of my steps compare to the mileage as measured by the map and as measured by the mile markers. I don't have a GPSr.

I thought about upgrading to a "better" pedometer. I checked out reviews of pedometers on the internet but the amount of info seems overwhelming to me and so many of the pedometers had problems with accuracy and reliability.

I decided my very basic pedometer and a reality check against other available info (mileage in clue, map of area, available mile markers etc) was as good as anything. I hope to check out google earth sometime soon.

Leilani's Aunt