Forum Index > Support & Feedback > Geographically challenged...
 Reply to topic
Previous :: Next Topic
Author Message
Elvis
Shuffl'n



Joined: 09 Jun 2004
Posts: 1804 | TRs | Pics
Location: del Boca Vista
Elvis
Shuffl'n
PostTue Nov 16, 2004 6:29 pm 
I love reading the threads in the nwhikers forums but frequently find that when I read a trail report I often have no clue where the trail or destination is located. Of course, this could be taken care of when people post their reports by providing trailhead directions or some kind of 'big picture' direction of the area. (Yes - I realize some don't want to disclose their final destinations and I certainly respect that - I'm not suggesting that practice be stopped by any means). Sure I can search the web for other links to dig up more info or I can PM people if I really want more info... but I'm curious if there is an easier, more effective solution. I would find it very useful if this site had just a simple method of visually depicting where a trail is within the state. Maybe an Avatar-sized picture of the state(s) with an 'X' or thumbtack in the general location of the trail. Or... maybe a group of 'Emoticons' representing different parts of the state (or states): Olympics, Puget Sound, Mt Baker, Mt Hood, etc... etc... etc... Mostly, when I find an interesting trip report or excellent pictures, I'm always wondering if that destination is sixty miles away, or six hours away. I'm not up to speed on web-page building skills so I have no idea if this sort of is easily set up - or there may be better methods to communicate such info. Just my $.02. Elvis

"Ill habits gather unseen degrees, as brooks make rivers, rivers run to seas." ~John Dryden My Trip List
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Dayhike Mike
Bad MFKer



Joined: 02 Mar 2003
Posts: 10958 | TRs | Pics
Location: Going to Tukwila
Dayhike Mike
Bad MFKer
PostTue Nov 16, 2004 6:56 pm 
I like your idea for graphical elements to depict region, but I think that typically the responsibility really lies with the person posting the trip report. Typically when people post TRs and I don't recognize the placenames, I'll look them up using Topo! (if I'm at home) or Topozone.com (if I'm at work). Still, that method doesn't work when there are several (hundred) places with the same name. Which Fish, Coney, Toketie, Snow, Trout, Green, Horseshoe Lake do you want to talk about? There are a couple. (Horseshoe's a particularly deadly combination, for example, visiting "Horseshoe Lake up the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River" isn't good enough. Yep -- there are two of them up there, and they're situated across the valley from one another.) In any case, I agree that I'd like to see more information agbout destinations and peoples routes. For example, in Godlygirl's "Lake of the Angels - Almost" TR, I still don't know where the Lake of the Angels is. I know it's near Stone Mountain, but it's not labelled on the map. And if I could figure out their approach, I might be able to figure out which lake they were heading toward or which trail (if it's mapped) they were on. But no...no indication of which roads were taken, which river drainage was used for the approach, no elevation of the lake, no other description. And so I still have no idea of where she was and where she was going. I'd have liked to know more -- it makes the story interesting as it allows people to follow along with you, the TR's protagonist. I'd like more detail in general. Randy's suggested sorting TRs into different forums depending upon the region of the trip and to allow for more specific searches. You've got some good suggestions, and no, you're not alone. wink.gif

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke "Ignorance is natural. Stupidity takes commitment." -Solomon Short
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
jimmymac
Zip Lock Bagger



Joined: 14 Nov 2003
Posts: 3705 | TRs | Pics
Location: Lake Wittenmyer, WA
jimmymac
Zip Lock Bagger
PostTue Nov 16, 2004 7:16 pm 
Elvis wrote:
I often have no clue where the trail or destination is located. Of course, this could be taken care of when people post their reports by providing trailhead directions or some kind of 'big picture' direction of the area. Just my $.02.
I'm guilty. Thanks for raising the issue. Folks that might benefit the most from a TR are the ones who may have never been to the general area. You know, this topic provides a good excuse to give Mike Collins a big up.gif for his great TR trailhead directions. Exemplary.

"Profound serenity is the product of unfaltering Trust and heightened vulnerability."
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Tom
Admin



Joined: 15 Dec 2001
Posts: 17835 | TRs | Pics
Tom
Admin
PostTue Nov 16, 2004 10:58 pm 
Used to be a requirement to post specifics in trip report titles (date, location, trail #, etc). Too many people didn't read directions (similar to those who post attachments without clicking on the bold red link just above where you post attachments that says please read the attachment guidelines before posting) and we had TR titles like "girls gone wild". up.gif In the end I gave up.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Malachai Constant
Member
Member


Joined: 13 Jan 2002
Posts: 16088 | TRs | Pics
Location: Back Again Like A Bad Penny
Malachai Constant
Member
PostWed Nov 17, 2004 12:02 am 
I also seem to remember that you were not supposed toto reply to TR and just send a PM if you had question, of course I could be wrong. doh.gif

"You do not laugh when you look at the mountains, or when you look at the sea." Lafcadio Hearn
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Dayhike Mike
Bad MFKer



Joined: 02 Mar 2003
Posts: 10958 | TRs | Pics
Location: Going to Tukwila
Dayhike Mike
Bad MFKer
PostWed Nov 17, 2004 12:08 am 
Tom wrote:
...and we had TR titles like "girls gone wild". up.gif In the end I gave up.
Et tu Brute? Yeah, yeah, yeah...it's coming...it's coming. wink.gif

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke "Ignorance is natural. Stupidity takes commitment." -Solomon Short
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Tom
Admin



Joined: 15 Dec 2001
Posts: 17835 | TRs | Pics
Tom
Admin
PostWed Nov 17, 2004 9:43 am 
Malachai Constant wrote:
I also seem to remember that you were not supposed toto reply to TR and just send a PM if you had question, of course I could be wrong. doh.gif
Nope, appropriate titling was the only thing (to ehance search functionality).

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
   All times are GMT - 8 Hours
 Reply to topic
Forum Index > Support & Feedback > Geographically challenged...
  Happy Birthday speyguy, Bandanabraids!
Jump to:   
Search this topic:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum