Last night Team DeLorme met up with a group of geocachers for a cache run in Salt Lake City.

We started out at the Salt Lake City Travel Bug where we met the cache owner, Lefty624. He was very helpful and allowed us to hold a little meet and greet at his location. We were joined by cachers from the Utah Association of Geocachers as well as some cachers who were attending the Outdoor Retailer Show. We found five caches in all with most of them being pretty challenging micro and nano caches. Geooogle, a local cacher, showed of some exceptional geosense and helped with several of the difficult micros. Thanks to Firennice for sharing his local knowledge of Utah geocaching as well as helping to keep us out of the hot sun! Thanks also goes to Cache Advance for sharing more about using Textmarks for geocaching, check out her post for a cool way to share that you’ve found the cache. Congratulations to Cach-U-Nuts for winning the Eartha 3D geocoin!

Here are some photos from the event. Thank you to all that attended, it was a lot of fun to get out and geocache while visiting Utah!

Chip Noble
Team DeLorme

John Huston visited the DeLorme booth today to share stories, pictures, and waypoints from the historic trip that he and Tyler Fish completed during their Victorinox North Pole ‘09expedition. The two polar explorers became the first Americans to ski unsupported to the North Pole on April 25th of 2009… and they did it with the help of their DeLorme Earthmate PN-40 GPS devices! You can check out their blog to read more about the trip. Here are two of my favorite entries… the first covers a very scary event where John fell through the ice and spent some time in arctic waters.

http://www.forwardexpeditions.com/226-day-47-an-eventful-day-4-17.html

The second is titled “The Long Road Home” and shows a photo of the PN-40 on Tyler’s journal with an entry that simply states “The North Pole. Tired, proud… smart, safe. Here… we are here now.”  

http://www.forwardexpeditions.com/263-the-long-road-home-5-21.html

John brought his PN-40 with him to the booth and we were able to download the waypoints and take a couple of pictures. Check out the DeLorme patch on John’s expedition fleece, very exciting!

The Topo USA map below doesn’t show much detail for the North Pole but John was very happy with the device, especially when they started tracking their rate of drift at the end of the trip. The current was moving the ice so quickly they ended up deciding to ski without breaks for the end of the trip just to make sure they made it to the pole in time for their return shuttle!

We really appreciate John taking the time out of his busy schedule to stop by the DeLorme booth and share their experience with the Earthmate GPS. Check out their site for lots of great details about the trip.

Keep an eye out for the August edition of Backpacker magazine where DeLorme has a two page ad on the inside cover congratulating John and Tyler on their amazing accomplishment. I was lucky enough to get John to sign my copy. We have a few other signed magazines at the DeLorme booth at Outdoor Retailer if you stop by…

Chip Noble
Team DeLorme

I spent last week camping at Sebago Lake State Park and decided to celebrate the 4th of July with a little moonlight paddle on the Songo River. I left from the Songo Lock (pic 1, pic 2) with three friends in two canoes at around 10:30 PM and enjoyed a peaceful trip to the sand bar on the group camping side of the state park where we were staying.

Knowing that we would be paddling in the dark, I took the time to create a track in Topo USA that I would be able to follow with my PN-40. I was very pleased to see how useful the aerial imagery was in planning my route. The river has changed course in a few places since I was a boy so it was very helpful to see the shortcuts.

I was also very excited to see the Navionics Hot Maps lake chart data in action. The chart data for the Songo River was very helpful in showing us the deep sections of the river. Even though we were paddling canoes, it was still reassuring to know we were in the channel given the strong current and the fact that we were paddling at night! In a rare moment of clear thinking I passed on capturing screenshots while I was navigating the canoe but I have since gone back and captured shots showing some areas where the imagery and lake charts were most helpful.

This next screenshot shows the high detail aerial imagery that is available from the Maine GIS site. I loaded this map on the PN using XMap… an upgrade to Topo USA that is available direct from DeLorme.

The last picture shows my Earthmate PN-40 SE on the floor of the canoe. Keep in mind that because the Navionics SD card is locked all other maps need to be stored on the internal memory. This is why I use the SE model with 8 GB of internal memory for all of my maps and aerial imagery.

Remember to install the latest 2.6 Navionics firmware update on your Earthmate PN-40 if you are looking to use the Navionics lake or marine chart SD cards. If you haven’t purchased a PN-40 yet, give the SE model some consideration. These devices sold out when the PN-40 first released but have been brought back for a limited time with the Navionics release. Having the larger internal memory available will give you more flexibility when you have to swap your map SD card out for your Navionics card.

Let me know if you have any questions about how I set the device up with aerial imagery and Navionics Hot Maps for the Songo River and if you are ever staying at Sebago Lake State Park be sure to take a trip to the Songo Lock and paddle the Songo River, it’s a great adventure… day or night!

Chip Noble
DeLorme

John Huston and Tyler Fish, who recently completed a historic expedition to the North Pole—navigating with Earthmate PN-40s—will be on NBC’s morning show, Today, on Tuesday, May 5, to discuss their adventure. DeLorme was the official GPS sponsor for the expedition, officially called Victorinox North Pole 09.

This was a historic expedition with John and Tyler being the first Americans to ski to the North Pole without a support team. That means they had to carry everything they needed with them on sleds, which they towed behind them while skiing.

More information can be found here.

In other expedition news, climber Ed Viesturs is using a PN-40 as he begins his ascent on Mt. Everest. Currently in base camp, he and his team hope to reach the summit by May 12.

Chip Noble
Team DeLorme

Okay folks, I’ve gotten lots of requests and a few taunts from people looking to see the Earthmate PN-40 in action… “Show us the maps,” “Is it really that fast,” “How’s the tri-axial compass compare,”… well, I kept writing replies trying to describe the new device and I realized that a picture’s worth a thousand words and a video is priceless!

Here you go; I’ve attached links to three videos I put together while playing hooky from work the other day.

DISCLAIMER: The following videos were not produced by our marketing group, I just wanted to share some pre-release info… DeLorme will not be held liable if my shaky-cam filming makes you sea-sick or my narration puts you to sleep. Please use caution while viewing these clips!

The first video was taken at our camp; it shows color aerial imagery and USGS quad data, two of the many datasets that can be viewed with the PN-Series devices.

DeLorme Earthmate PN-40

The second video is a quick clip of our new Hybrid Map view that is available with the PN-Series and Topo USA, it also does a nice job of showing the fast map redraws.

DeLorme Earthmate PN-40 Hybrid Map

The third video is a collection of clips from our geocaching hunt… I led my family on a five cache trip and talked a little about the new tri-axial compass and the DeLorme MapLibrary annual subscription.

DeLorme Earthmate PN-40 Geocaching

Check back often, I’m planning a few other video clips to show off the performance of the Earthmate PN-40.

Chip

Innovative Map and GPS Provider Hosting Related Event at Outdoor Retailer Show

SALT LAKE CITY, UT ― DeLorme, the leader in mapping and GPS technology for serious outdoors adventures, today announced it will be one of the sponsors of North Pole ‘09, as American explorers John Huston and Tyler Fish endeavor to ski to the top of the world with no assistance of any kind.

Huston and Fish would be the first Americans to accomplish the feat, which they describe as “an expedition of optimism, humility, and responsible action.”

A History of Supporting Arctic Expeditions

DeLorme was the GPS provider for a pair of recent Baffin Island, Canada expeditions. The rugged, reliable Earthmate® GPS PN-20 was used on Will Steger’s Global Warming 101 trip in 2007, and Ed Viesturs’ 2008 Canadian Arctic Trek for Earth Health. Huston, who was base camp manager for Steger, also relied on a PN-20 during a trip he led to the South Pole.

DeLorme’s North Pole ‘09 sponsorship announcement comes on the first day of the Open Air Demo event, a prelude to the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2008 trade show scheduled for Aug. 8-11 at the Salt Palace. The company will unveil a new GPS, the Earthmate PN-40, at this year’s show.

“We are exceptionally pleased to support the North Pole ‘09 expedition,” said DeLorme vice president Jim Skillings.

“We’ve developed a reputation as a provider of serious products that stand up to even the most demanding customer needs. It absolutely fits our corporate mission to support John and Tyler as they undertake this extraordinary challenge.”

North Pole ‘09 Event at Outdoor Retailer

Huston will be at the DeLorme exhibit (Booth 19010) from 4-6 p.m. MT on Saturday, August 9. His presentation will focus on the North Pole ‘09 expedition, its objectives, his and Tyler Fish’s methods of preparation, and their experiences in previous polar journeys. The presentation will be open to all show attendees.

“It’s a fascinating and inspiring presentation, and we urge people to stop by, meet John, and learn more about North Pole ‘09,”added Skillings.

Ellesmere Island to the North Pole – the Hard Way

In March, Huston and Fish will embark from the northern tip of Ellesmere Island, Canada pulling all of their supplies in sleds while propelling themselves across the polar ice cap on cross-country skis.

The trip is fraught with extreme challenges. It will be entirely over the Arctic Ocean on large sheets of ice, called “pans.” These pans will be, in most cases, anything but smooth, and frequently strewn with ice “rubble and debris” that are a consequence of the severe conditions.

In addition, the polar winds and ocean currents may sometimes push the ice pans backward at a rate faster than Huston’s and Fish’s forward progress. There will be numerous instances when the two will have to don dry suits and swim from pan to pan, with the added challenge of securing their sled and supplies during the water passages.

Other dangers include polar bears, the extreme cold (temperatures may reach -60°F), and the potential for injury in this most unforgiving environment.

Huston and Fish hope to complete the 475-mile trek in 55 days. Along the way, they will chronicle their adventure with daily entries, via satellite phone uploads. To learn more, visit www.northpole09.com.

About North Pole ‘09

North Pole ‘09, an expedition without outside assistance or supply drops, will be an endeavor of absolute optimism and humility, thorough preparation and selfless cooperation. This enormously challenging expedition will endeavor to inspire people to embrace challenge. The live online expedition journal will focus on the mental approach to seemingly insurmountable challenges. “As we, as individuals and as a society, face the daunting challenges of today, we believe we have the responsibility to tell a more uplifting story. We need more simple stories of achievement and passion that inspire positive, forward-thinking action rather than negative stories that lead to increased passivity and feelings of hopelessness.”

Expedition components include a climate change education program and several research projects. For sponsorship information, visit www.northpole09.com.

About John Huston

Huston is a seasoned polar explorer, having most recently led a 720-mile ski expedition to the South Pole for NorthWinds Adventures. That trip spanned 57 days from November 2007 to January 2008.

Prior to that, he was the only American chosen to participate with the Norwegian team in an event that reprised the 1911 competition between Norwegian and British explorers to reach the South Pole. Featured on BBC and the History Channel as the “Race to the Pole,” the expedition was set in Greenland and duplicated the 1911 journey by using 1911-style equipment, clothing, and food.

A former Outward Bound instructor, the Northwestern University alumnus is a cross-country ski racer, writer, and educator.

About Tyler Fish

Tyler Fish has expeditions on Baffin Island, the Canadian Arctic, and Hudson Bay to his credit. He has also led many month-long white water canoe trips on remote Canadian rivers. An elite cross-country ski racer and coach, he is also a speaker, family relationship coach, and wilderness skills expert.

A graduate of Bates College in Maine, he has spent 13 years working for Outward Bound and is currently a youth programs coordinator and supervisor.

About the Earthmate GPS PN Series

DeLorme’s Earthmate GPS PN-20 and PN-40 receivers are designed for serious outdoors adventures. They deliver the unique ability to display proprietary DeLorme topographic maps, as well as USGS 1:24,000 quads, four different types of aerial imagery, and NOAA nautical charts. WAAS-enabled for accuracy to within three meters, the PN series receivers are waterproof with a rock-solid design that has proven its reliability in the most challenging environments on Earth. For more information, go to GetSeriousTool.com.

About DeLorme

Based in Yarmouth, ME, DeLorme offers a unique set of core competencies across the complex areas of map data creation and management, software development, and integration with GPS. The ability to develop all the critical components necessary to compete in the fast-changing navigation world provides a distinct competitive advantage. DeLorme is one of a handful of mapmakers that still own and produce their own content, and its Earthmate GPS, Street Atlas USA®, Topo USA®, and Atlas & Gazetteer™ products have introduced countless first-to-market innovations. For more, visit www.delorme.com.

Eight members of Team DeLorme’s cycling group made the long trip from Yarmouth, Maine, down to New York City to participate in the 2008 NYC 5 Boro Bike Tour. The weather was great and the opportunity to ride through the heart of such an impressive city without any automobile traffic was amazing!

The 5 Boro Bike Tour is even bigger in person than described on Bike New York’s web site. You really have to be in the middle of the pack to appreciate what 30,000 cyclists look like! I’ve uploaded video clips (See a couple of favorite videos at the end of this post) from a helmet cam along with some photos taken by people in our group. Check them out to get a feel for the magnitude of this event. I see why the ride has earned the title of ”largest recreational cycling event in the nation!”

As usual, the Earthmate GPS PN-20 was with me throughout the ride. While it was impossible to get lost with that many riders, it was still good to see where we were on the route. I’ve included a screen shot from our XMap software so that you can see how I’ve linked the video clips into the map to make a nice project file for sharing with the other riders.

I’ve also included a few screen shots from the PN-20. Again, not that necessary when there are 30,000 riders all pedaling in the same direction, but it was still nice to see the aerial imagery of the buildings and the parks while I was riding.

On behalf of Team DeLorme, I’d like to thank all of the members of Bike New York and all of the volunteers that made the NYC 5 Boro Bike Tour such an enjoyable event. We’ve been part of many cycling tours and are amazed at the number of riders that participate in this ride. Thank you for giving us such a unique means of touring your great city!

I’d also like to extend a sincere thank you to our very gracious hosts for giving us a place to stay and helping us find our way around New York. There’s nothing like local knowledge, even when you have a GPS!

-Chip

Central Park

All Kinds of Bikes and Riders

During a recent beautiful weekend in southern Maine, Danielle and I decided to take a nice long bike ride and have a picnic lunch down by the water where we usually launch our kayaks. The PN-20 spent most of the ride in its pouch attached to the shoulder strap of my pack, as we knew the area pretty well. I still kept it on to record the track, so that we can know how far and long we’d ridden.

We were riding home, but, not wanting to call it a day just yet, I conveniently remembered that there are a few geocaches in the area, and I easily convinced Danielle to do a little caching. We had tried to grab a couple of caches over the winter, unsuccessfully, and she was starting to get a bit discouraged with the whole idea. The name of the cache we decided to go after is “Percheron” which, Danielle informed me, is a breed of horse.

The cache is located just off the trail network that is part of Crystal Springs Farm in Brunswick, ME. This is an amazing local farm which hosts our local farmer’s market.

We stashed our bikes near the trailhead and Danielle lead the way with the PN-20. She used the find function to locate the cache, and then selected the direct route option and followed the heading to within about 20 feet of the cache.

After a few minutes of poking around and searching we decided to look at the hint in the comments. The hint definitely helped us out and 30 seconds later Danielle had discovered her first cache!

She was very excited, as you can see. We signed the log book and headed home so the she could log the cache for Team DeLorme at Geocaching.com. All in all it was another great day, enhanced a bit by the PN-20. 

-Brian

Members of Team DeLorme will be riding in Bike New York’s Commerce Bank Five Boro Bike Tour on Sunday, May 4th. I’ll be using the PN-20 to track our progress and will be capturing video with a helmet camera. With 30,000 riders I’m expecting some pretty amazing footage! I’ll post video and GPS track log next week.

I’ll send a 2008 Team DeLorme Cycling t-shirt to the first person that says hello and mentions this blog post… just in case you’re in the area and can pick the Team DeLorme jersey out of the sea of cyclists!

Hope to see you there!

-Chip

In preparation for the upcoming Cache-In Trash-Out Geocaching Event at DeLorme, I wanted to share how I geocache with Topo USA and the PN-20. I think it might help some of you increase your Cache Found stats on the 19th!

In case you aren’t familiar with geocaching, think of it as a treasure hunt driven by GPS. You can get more details at the Geocaching.com Getting Started page. My recommendations below assume that you have a basic understanding of how to download a cache description from the geocaching.com site.

Get a Premium Membership with Geocaching.com.
There are two types of downloadable files from Geocaching.com, a .LOC file available to everyone, and a more detailed .GPX file that is available only to premium members. Since we’ve put a good deal of effort into displaying extended cache descriptions and hints from .GPX files in the comment field of a PN-20 waypoint I think it’s worth the membership fee.

Use Pocket Queries to get a .GPX file.
Pocket queries allow you to create detailed filters so that only the caches you’re interested in appear in your .GPX file and on your PN-20. I filter out micro caches and 5/5 (very difficult) caches along with caches that don’t have travel bugs or geocoins in them.

Use Draw\File\Import… to open your pocket query.
Once your pocket query is emailed to you, use the Draw tab in Topo USA to open it. Draw will display all of the caches on the map and give you a good feel for cache distribution.

Send the Pocket Query to your PN-20.

Use the Find button to search for the nearest geocache.
Set the Show: option to Waypoint and the Symbol: option to Geocache to filter your waypoint list to only show caches you haven’t found yet.

View the cache waypoint then press Menu and View Details.
This displays a page with details and hints for the cache. Keep in mind that only 800 characters can be stored in the comment field. Consider editing the comment in Topo USA if it has lots of additional information that isn’t necessary for finding the cache.

Use Direct Routes when navigating to geocaches.
Create a direct route to the cache you are looking for. This will display a route line from your current location and always point you in the direction of the cache.

Change your Info Fields to show GPS Accuracy and Distance to Finish.
These are two important fields when geocaching. You want to know how accurate your GPS signal is so you know how far off you might be from the cache. Knowing the distance to the cache is also very helpful.

Change the cache symbol to Geocache Found after you’ve found it.
Select the symbol and change it to Geocache Found so that it won’t appear in your Find list. Now you can use the Find button to locate the next closest geocache!

Use Delete by Symbol to delete only the Geocache Found symbol.
This allows you to quickly delete the caches you’ve found while retaining those that you still need to locate.