Those hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2014 have my deepest respect. Please do NOT refer to any old articles, including ones on this site, that talk about instructions for 2013 or 2012. They will bring you more frustration and will not give you the updated data that you need.
Here is a way to get started using BackCountry Navigator. Please note that we are providing these tips for free and assume that you already know something about the PCT and BackCountry Navigator. Please take the time to learn about both before going out on the trail. If your screen or experience does not work exactly as described here, please be patient and avoid panic. There are some differences across devices that are difficult to describe, particularly in browsers or file downloads.
I must emphasize strongly that you take time to learn to use the software and/or your device before you rely on it on the trail. I am sure you have spent a lot of time planning your route, checking out your equipment, and even practicing with your camping stove before you go out. Plan to do the same with your navigation software.
The greatest source for information are the waypoints available from Halfmile.
To get started, go to the link on Halfmile's site that mentions Google Earth ( I know you are not using Google Earth, just bear with us).
This the link:
On this page, I found a link called Halfmile PCT data in Google Earth format. This is a kmz file. You can download here or on your computer and transfer it to your device if you know how to do that. It is important to know that because some mobile browsers do corrupt these files.
When I opened it in the mobile browser, it didn't look promising at first. I chose "Browser" for the first question.
The next question is the one I hoped they asked first. You may get it first. They ask if BackCountry Navigator Import is how I want to handle the file. I do.
Once I've chosen that, I have options for importing. You should choose a new unique name that references the PCT and 2014 such as "PCTfor2014".
After you have done this, you may have only a small icon in your status area that indicates something is in progress.
This status is in the same place where you see notification of a new email or text.
Be prepared for this import to take a long time. It's a lot of data. Maybe a half hour or even longer. Take a break, get some water, read a book. Your patience may be rewarded with an import complete message.
Click on this, and you will be brought to the map.
For another view, click the upper left corner of the screen and choose List (or List tracks/waypoints).
You can now see an extensive list of waypoints or tracks. You can choose an individual waypoint to center the map or GOTO. Note that the distances mentioned on this screen are from the current map's center. When navigating, it will be the actual distance from your location.
Please Note:Nothing you have done on this page will ensure that you have *maps* covering the areas you need when you are on the trail. Follow our standard instructions for that.
With these tracks and waypoints, you are already far ahead, even without maps. We do acknowledge that downloading maps for this long, irregular area is a difficult process. We may be able to offer a prepackaged map for a fee, but it may depend on our schedule this year.
Comments
5 comments
Hi Nathan,
I tried this on my Samsung SG3 phone and Samsung Tab 2 7" wifi. On the SG3 phone it asked if I wanted to import it using BCNav first and I selected it. I named a new trip package for it and waited...... I got the message that import was complete and touched the message and it took me to BCNav. I had another trip already loaded so I wanted to switch to another trip database and could not locate the new one I had just created. I tried downloading to the Tab 2 and was asked if I wanted to use my browser (Firefox) to download it or import it into BCNav. I selected the browser and then was asked if I wanted to use BCNav to import it which I selected. When the download was completed I touched the message and BCNav launched and I changed the trip and was able to find the new one I had just created. The tracks and waypoints look great.When I retried this on the SG3 phone it worked like it did on the tablet and all is fine. Good practice. Thanks. Rick Clark
Hello Nathan,
I followed this procedure to load to my old but functional Droid Bionic. After an extended period the Import Finished message indeed appeared. I touched the message and was taken to BCN. Unfortunately, there was no track displayed. The waypoints and tracks list was blank, as well. I attempted this twice: Once into my existing PCT database and once into a new database following the guidance above exactly. No joy either time. I located the files (khTemp_XX.kmz , where XX is a sequence of numbers) in the Device storage>Download folder. I tried again to import them to BCN with no joy. I then tried to import the some of the same files into Earth, again without success. When the same procedure was used to download the waypoints to Earth on my PC they imported as expected. Can you provide any insight as to why the import isn't working on my Bionic?
If they won't import into Earth either, then they are not coming down correctly. I have no idea why.
Are you advanced enough that you can transfer the files from your PC to android?
And how old is your bionic? Is it using Android 2.1?
Here is another thing to try:
You can long click on the link and choose Save as or something similar. You can then use Menu->Trip Data->Importing GPX or KML to browse to the file.
I have created an entire resupply point to to resupply point database saved under bcnav for the root directory for Backcountry Navigator Pro, of the PCT, with maps and saved to Cloud Data and to micro SD Card if anyone's interested. I plan on using this on my bid for a thru-hike of the PCT beginning mid March 2015 starting at the southern terminus. I first downloaded the waypoints from Halfmiles in .gbd format, then customized my resupply points through my Garmin software, then found an online site that converted those individual routes into .gpx, then transferred them to my micro SD card to a file created especially labeled for it so I could find them and import them into the Backcountry Navigator program and then download maps and saved the maps to where the maps names matched the waypoint data Tracks. That way when I'm out there all I have to do is switch to the next track and next matching named Map and off I go! I used the "Accuterra Maps" which seem to be the best and most updated maps. You can't go wrong with Halfmiles Data either, he did a great job and I commend him for his effort to make sure every person hiking the PCT can find the resources they need as fast and as easy as possible. If you have any questions text me at 509-202-7936 or email me at iceaxe4@gmail.com.
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