Creating a cache to cache route

[+bmsterling]

Hey all,

So, I have a eTrex 30 and I know I can create a route from cache to cache on there but finding next to impossible to do when I am no where near where I plan to go caching. Outside of just writing down each cache I want to go find in order, is there some GUI interface to help with this? I am very much a visual person, and would prefer to just click add.

 

Thanks.

[jholly]

The traveling Salesman Problem is a difficult problem. You can use maps and visually plot a route and then write down the caches in the order to be found. Or you could get a copy of Streets & trips and import a .gpx file and let it do the work. You have a list complete with directions. Or if you are a GSAK user the macro Cacheroute.gsk does a pretty good job for 25 or less caches.

[+Gitchee-Gummee]

Inasmuch as you used the word "route", that is probably what you want to do, Create a route.

On your profile page, find this near the lower right portion.

It takes a bit of playing to get used to it, but is a quick and easy method once mastered.

 

 

Run a PQ from the route you created (not over 500 miles) and load into your GPSr.

 

Short routes? You can run up to 5 Pocket Queries per day. Nothing says that they must be 500 - 1,000 caches long.

Note also, that you can narrow or widen the route (from the roadway centerline) so that you aren't driving all over you know who's half-acre.

 

Practice with it, you needn't actually run the PQ each time. You can preview the results and decide not to run it.

[+bmsterling]

Thanks Gitchee-Gummee, but I guess I should have been more clear. Unless I am missing something, the "create a route" will not do what I want. So, let's say I want to do the caches at the park at http://coord.info/map?ll=39.24129,-76.85988&z=14 . The create a route won't give me those in a reasonable order.

 

Thanks jholly, guess that is going to be my course of action at this point.

[jholly]

For that particular example you cited the solutions I pointed out are not very good, they are tied to traversing on roads. For that particular example the OpenStreet or OpenCycle maps and a piece of paper and a pencil would be the best solution. They might be useful to getting to the closest parking lot to the caches, but if your wanting to go in a loop then a manual list is the best.

[+bmsterling]

Thanks jholly, that is what I figured. I'll take a look at the api for GS and see if I can probably put something together for the gps unit.

[+bmsterling]

For anyone that is interested, you can create a route gpx file with the code below in a text editor:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no" ?>
<gpx xmlns="http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/1" xmlns:gpxx="http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/GpxExtensions/v3" xmlns:wptx1="http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/WaypointExtension/v1" xmlns:gpxtpx="http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/TrackPointExtension/v1" creator="eTrex 30" version="1.1" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/1 http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/1/gpx.xsd http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/GpxExtensions/v3 http://www8.garmin.com/xmlschemas/GpxExtensionsv3.xsd http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/WaypointExtension/v1 http://www8.garmin.com/xmlschemas/WaypointExtensionv1.xsd http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/TrackPointExtension/v1 http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/TrackPointExtensionv1.xsd">
<metadata>
	<link href="http://www.garmin.com">
		<text>Garmin International</text>
	</link>
	<time>2012-02-18T01:07:09Z</time>
</metadata>
<rte>
	<name>Route 001</name>
		<rtept lat="39.356033" lon="-76.652565"><name>Diamond in the Rough</name></rtept>
		<rtept lat="39.357632" lon="-76.652519"><name>Jewelry Store</name></rtept>
		<rtept lat="39.366550" lon="-76.657036"><name>Mini Arboretum</name>
	</rtept>
</rte>
</gpx>

 

Come points:

<name>Route 001</name> The value of name ( "Route 001" ) needs to be unique, I create two files with exact same names and only one showed up.

 

You will need one of the following for every point you want to hit (waypoints, caches, etc) Just set "lat" (latitude) and "lon" ( longitude ) to the coords for the point.

<rtept lat="39.356033" lon="-76.652565"><name>Diamond in the Rough</name></rtept>

 

I have a eTrex 30 and I dropped this into the Garmin/GPX folder once I hooked the gps up to my computer.

 

I know I could simply right the caches on a piece of paper but that's just not how I work.

 

Hopefully this helps someone else. Let me know if you have questions.

[+The A-Team]

For anyone that is interested, you can create a route gpx file with the code below in a text editor:

<snip>

 

Come points:

<name>Route 001</name> The value of name ( "Route 001" ) needs to be unique, I create two files with exact same names and only one showed up.

 

You will need one of the following for every point you want to hit (waypoints, caches, etc) Just set "lat" (latitude) and "lon" ( longitude ) to the coords for the point.

<rtept lat="39.356033" lon="-76.652565"><name>Diamond in the Rough</name></rtept>

 

I have a eTrex 30 and I dropped this into the Garmin/GPX folder once I hooked the gps up to my computer.

 

I know I could simply right the caches on a piece of paper but that's just not how I work.

 

Hopefully this helps someone else. Let me know if you have questions.

Oh, that's what you wanted!

You can use Mapsource to do this. It can create exactly this type of route. In Mapsource, go to "Edit", then "New Route...". Then add the waypoints (or caches) you want along the route. You can even send the route straight to your GPS from the program.

[+bmsterling]

thanks The A-Team, I'll pull that down and give that a go.