The DeLorme Weblog

I’ve had a few people ask if there’s a way to enter if they don’t use Facebook. I’m opening this up to the blog as well. To enter, check out the requirements below and post a comment here by November 30th. Since this isn’t Facebook, you’ll need your own method of linking in photos, maps, and anything else. On to this month’s challenge…

To start things off easy, let’s take a hike (or a walk). The requirements:

1. Any brand/model GPS receiver can be used, although an outdoors handheld model may be best.
2. No distance requirements – as long or short as you want.
3. Within 20 miles of your home.
4. In a place you haven’t been before.
5. Mark the waypoint of your vehicle if you used one.
6. Record the track of your hike.
7. Take at least 5 photos of different objects, views, yourself having fun, etc.
8. Mark at least 3 waypoints of interesting locations – where you saw something, took the photos, etc.
9. Report (post on the DeLorme Earthmate GPS Facebook wall or a comment on our blog) back by the last day of the month- post a description of what you chose, why, and how it went. Upload some photos. If you don’t mind revealing a bit about near where you are located, show the track and waypoints on a map. It probably wouldn’t hurt to start your post with something like “November Challenge Report.”
10. BONUS: While there’s no scoring system, you’ll get bonus points for intentionally doing this in less than perfect weather. If you live somewhere the weather is perfect all of the time, I have no sympathy – no bonus points for you!

These requirements can be bent a little. A different trail in a park you’ve been to before is fine. Walking some different streets in a city you’ve lived in your whole life is fine too. Please ask if you have any questions.

If you have technical difficulties with the track, waypoints, or photos, that’s fine but please use this as an opportunity to learn. I’m sure we can all help you through it.

Have fun and stay safe out there!

Does that GPS receiver of yours spend too much time indoors? If it’s anything like mine, it does. (If yours doesn’t – good for you. You can still join the fun.)

My standard excuses:

• “I’ve been everywhere that’s near my house and I don’t want to drive far.”
• “The weather is bad… or is looking bad… or is perfectly clear so I’ll go lay in the hammock instead.”
• “This reality show is awful but I can’t stop watching.”

To change this pattern, I’m challenging myself to go outside with a set of requirements. And I figured if I’m doing these challenges, other people might like them as well. Or hate them but do them anyway. Whatever works for you is fine with me.

My plan is to announce the next challenge on the first of each month. Everyone interested in participating can discuss it, complain about it, explain how it could be better… I just hope some folks get involved. It’ll keep me motivated if I know someone’s watching.

Then we all complete the challenge and report back on how it went. Details on that are in the challenge.

There will also be a prize each month to be randomly awarded to someone who participated in the challenge – a $100 shopping spree credit for anything we sell on DeLorme.com (atlases, software, GPS)!

The challenges themselves are posted on our Facebook page. Please press that Like button when you get there. If you attempt the challenge, you’ll be posting your results over there as well.

Take me to Facebook!

See you there!

-Mike McKenney

EDIT: I’ve added it to the blog as well. To enter that way, find the current month’s Challenge and post a detailed comment that shows you’ve completed the requirements.