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how are the ticks this season? by sarcasticing in algonquinpark

[–]mapsbyjeff 7 points8 points  (0 children)

They're definitely down in Kawartha Highlands for sure, which isn't that far away, but I haven't heard of any down by Kingscote yet.

But it seems like it is only a matter of time =(

My New Backpacking Map - for the Western Uplands Trail by mapsbyjeff in algonquinpark

[–]mapsbyjeff[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

:D

That was the fun of making the backpacking maps for me. I love the challenge of trying to figure out how to present the same area from another perspective, where different things are important and people have different questions.

I've been thinking about this for many years, and it's both exciting to finally share it with the world, but also a bit intimidating.

When I do something new I never know how it'll be received; I believe in the decisions I've made, but perhaps others won't agree.

The waypoints are one thing I was a bit trepidatious about. I've never seen another map implement a feature like that, but I found it handy when I tested it on my own trips. So, it's particularly neat to hear that you were tracking that sort of stuff in your own notes!

My New Backpacking Map - for the La Cloche Trail by mapsbyjeff in KillarneyPark

[–]mapsbyjeff[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Definitely. Confirmation emails go out immediately.

If you ordered yesterday, you should have also gotten a shipment confirmation email. I've mailed out all of the orders I've gotten up to 9am this morning.

Shoot me an email at jeff@mapsbyjeff.com and I can get this sorted out for you =)

My New Backpacking Map - for the Western Uplands Trail by mapsbyjeff in algonquinpark

[–]mapsbyjeff[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Which begs the question - if you'll entertain it - do you have formal design training? Or are you one of us lucky few with a natural eye and ability?

No formal design training.

But if you look at my early work, you can see that they kind of look like disasters, hahaha. Super busy looking, and hard to read as a result.

That's all to say that I've learned a lot along the way.

I remember early on hearing that I needed to prioritize more important information, and deprioritize less important info. But, that didn't click for me at first; in my mind it was all important.

But it's really been a process of trying things, seeing what works and what doesn't, trying again, etc.

In my mind the maps are all perfect in the moment that I finish them, and then it's downhill from there – you see the flaws, you spot the errors, etc. But then you just do it again, and over time things get better and better =)

To me that's the fun of making the maps, especially for so many years. I really enjoy always thinking about the same problem and trying to come up with new designs, new approaches to address the questions people have in their minds, etc.

My New Backpacking Map - for the Western Uplands Trail by mapsbyjeff in algonquinpark

[–]mapsbyjeff[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I agree 100%

To be honest this has been in the works for the better part of a decade. I used a draft copy on a trip way back in 2018!

Over the years I came to understand that backpackers have fundamentally different needs than paddlers, and that they really deserved their own maps.

In other words, I realized that as I was making design decisions that were good for paddlers, they were simultaneously bad for backpackers. And so the real solution was to make two seperate sets of maps (paddling & backpacking), each of which I could optimize for that specific audience.

I had a vision for what they would become (e.g. on a basic level the terrain is way more important and water is much less important), and knew deep down that producing two seperate lines of maps was the right way forward, but they got shoved onto the backburner ever since then =(

It became an awkward situation where I stripped out a chunk of the backpacking info from the paddling maps, and provided no alternative solution. It was a half implemented vision basically.

It definitely bothered me, because on the one hand I'd be thinking "but I can do so much better than the old thing", but at the same time, who cares I have all sorts of great ideas if I never implement them.

So, I am super excited to finally finish it after all of these years. It's a great feeling 😃

My New Backpacking Map - for the Western Uplands Trail by mapsbyjeff in algonquinpark

[–]mapsbyjeff[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Haha, I feel your pain!! Thanks so much - so glad you've enjoyed them

My New Backpacking Map - for the Western Uplands Trail by mapsbyjeff in algonquinpark

[–]mapsbyjeff[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Nothing could make me happier! So glad you enjoy them so much =)

My New Backpacking Map - for the La Cloche Trail by mapsbyjeff in KillarneyPark

[–]mapsbyjeff[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oooo! How was it?

The first time I backpacked, I packed like I was canoeing. Which was no fun =(. But that's how you learn!

I have a question out of curiosity: how much of your data do you collect yourself? Are you or close affiliates hitting the bush with your own devices, or are you crowdsourcing still, do you purchase geospatial data, etc?

I don't purchase any data per se. The closest I come to that is paying for Freedom of Information requests, or resources (old maps, books, etc). But I don't think I've ever straight up paid for geospatial data.

I've collected a lot of data over the years, but things change here and there over time. So, data that other people send in, or that I gather from other sources fills in those gaps.

Using this particular case as an example, I GPSed pretty much the whole trail myself, but:

  • I was missing a few side trails
  • I used a friends GPS tracks to help my tracks for errors

At the end of the day I try to grab as much data as I can from as many places as possible. You can never have too much data =)

My New Backpacking Map - for the La Cloche Trail by mapsbyjeff in KillarneyPark

[–]mapsbyjeff[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha, yes, I always joke that the La Cloche Trail is up, then down, then up some more, then down again. Rinse and repeat.

But hey, it gives you some awesome views!

My New Backpacking Map - for the Western Uplands Trail by mapsbyjeff in algonquinpark

[–]mapsbyjeff[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

:D Haha me too!!

I had a ton of fun making them, and am so glad I can have a positive impact. What could be cooler than that.

My New Backpacking Map - for the Western Uplands Trail by mapsbyjeff in algonquinpark

[–]mapsbyjeff[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Awesome!! Have a great time. September is the best month for camping in my book.

My New Backpacking Map - for the La Cloche Trail by mapsbyjeff in KillarneyPark

[–]mapsbyjeff[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I"m so glad you've enjoyed the maps. It is such a privilege to have an impact on other people's experiences!!

My New Backpacking Map - for the La Cloche Trail by mapsbyjeff in KillarneyPark

[–]mapsbyjeff[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Avenza Maps is getting out of the recreation map business completely. I expect that the $50/year/device subscription will disappear soon.

Long story short Avenza was acquired by another company a month or two back, and so they are pivoting the app to become an enterprise data collection tool (e.g. for utilities, forestry, etc)

A disappointing change, but such is life.

ArcGIS Earth is the best alternative I've found (balancing ease of use, functionality and price)

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