Walker Tracker

sparkwatson · 2010-02-26 17:03:00

I'm very excited to announced that map-based competitions are now in public beta. I think they're really fun and that they'll soon become a staple of competitions.

Head on over and try one now, or read about a few points of interest:

- Map-based competitions are goal-challenge competitions. This means that anybody who gets to the destination on time is a winner.
- They are a set length, step-wise, but variable length time-wise. This means that you can choose to walk the Grand Canyon trail (47000 steps) over 2 days or 29 days, depending upon your style.
- There are currently only two maps
- A route along the Grand Canyon (47,000 steps)
- Portland to Astoria, Oregon, along the Columbia river (180,600 steps)
- If a map is listed as 'PRO', only pro members may start a competition on that map. Anyone may join (if it's an open competition), however.
- There are sign posts along the way that only show up when you reach that point.

As I mentioned - maps are in beta - please let me know if you see any oddness/bugs or have any suggestions. Many thanks!
Ben

Thank you private beta testers!:
@Ms*Bindy @slsommer @starwalker @adamd @NYHarleyHun @vpolichar @Mary @gruskada @rootrick and @hornowl

ben · 2010-02-26 17:04:26

Ooops! Accidentally posted the announcement as my testing personality...

slsommer · 2010-02-26 18:49:53

Multiple personalities, are you, Ben?

missywombat · 2010-02-27 05:38:12

When you start adding some new ones, how about some Aussie ones. I'd love to walk the Larapinta Trail in Central Australia

.
Will we be able to creat our own maps in future?

slsommer · 2010-02-27 07:38:53

Same question. Would love a Mississippi River walk.

Mary · 2010-02-27 20:20:31

The Appalachian Trail!

gma11 · 2010-02-27 20:24:19

Yes I agree with Mary The Appalachian Trail!

starwalker · 2010-02-28 03:59:07

The Pacific Crest Trail from Canada to Mexico perhaps. I agree it would be nice to create our own maps if possible. You've opened Pandora's box, Ben. Either way, it's still a nice feature.

feralcarol · 2010-02-28 05:30:51

i'll do them all!!! i have already 'thruhiked' the long trail in vermont, but i'll do it again!!!
this is great!!!

ToniG50 · 2010-02-28 07:16:33

I'd love to do one , but the first time will let someone else set it up...so please invite me *smile*

letterboxer · 2010-02-28 07:43:20

Mississippi River would be great!

Javarose58 · 2010-02-28 08:24:06

Or any parts of the Ice Age Trails!

letterboxer · 2010-02-28 09:26:25

Yes! Yes! ANY part!

letterboxer · 2010-02-28 10:33:41

And being as how the Ice Age Trail is glacier oriented/formed from ice, this is the perfect season to hike it. And there are great B&Bs along the way. At about 1,000 miles, that's a good distance too.

missywombat · 2010-02-28 19:54:48

NZ's Milford Track - only 53 km!

SueGeer · 2010-03-01 03:28:12

UK - Lands End to John O'Groats would be good

BALDRICSMOM · 2010-03-01 07:11:44

this sounds like a great way to vary things and keep it fresh.

ben · 2010-03-01 09:37:55

Thanks for the map suggestions.
For the short term, the maps will need to be carefully crafted in our own cartography department, where they are masters with the paper mâché.

I've idly considered allowing people to purchase a specific map (+ content, since you can drop a lot of fun pin/sign posts on the map). The map then could only be started by you, though anyone could join. I suspect this might be something that'd be more applicable/appealing to the custom walking programs though (?)

Incidentally, since I noticed no one had yet started one, I started a Portland to Astoria map. I do have one European map in the wings...

edit:
Oops, and that competition is here.

Last edited by ben (2010-03-01 09:39:19)

msdelisle · 2010-03-01 12:53:30

Would love a Mississippi River walk. I lived in New Orleans at the mouth and would love to start there and head north.....as long as I can do it in the heat of summer...LOL!

feralcarol · 2010-03-01 17:37:04

thanks, ben!!!!

dvtrek · 2010-03-02 07:31:09

I love the idea, it would be fun to "see" where you are going:)

BethAnn · 2010-03-05 04:13:57

Wow.. I haven't looked at the map yet, but what a wonderful idea, Ben!!

rachelatte · 2010-03-08 13:10:16

Now that we are almost in Astoria it would be fun to go along the coast and walk to San Francisco.

letterboxer · 2010-03-11 16:48:41

That's right. What do we do when we hit Astoria? Are we just stranded in Astoria? I guess there are worse things that could happen.

Walker Tracker

#1 2010-02-26 17:03:00

New: Map-based competitions (in beta)!

#2 2010-02-26 17:04:26

Re: New: Map-based competitions (in beta)!

#3 2010-02-26 18:49:53

Re: New: Map-based competitions (in beta)!

#4 2010-02-27 05:38:12

Re: New: Map-based competitions (in beta)!

#5 2010-02-27 07:38:53

Re: New: Map-based competitions (in beta)!

#6 2010-02-27 20:20:31

Re: New: Map-based competitions (in beta)!

#7 2010-02-27 20:24:19

Re: New: Map-based competitions (in beta)!

#8 2010-02-28 03:59:07

Re: New: Map-based competitions (in beta)!

#9 2010-02-28 05:30:51

Re: New: Map-based competitions (in beta)!

#10 2010-02-28 07:16:33

Re: New: Map-based competitions (in beta)!

#11 2010-02-28 07:43:20

Re: New: Map-based competitions (in beta)!

#12 2010-02-28 08:24:06

Re: New: Map-based competitions (in beta)!

#13 2010-02-28 09:26:25

Re: New: Map-based competitions (in beta)!

#14 2010-02-28 10:33:41

Re: New: Map-based competitions (in beta)!

#15 2010-02-28 19:54:48

Re: New: Map-based competitions (in beta)!

#16 2010-03-01 03:28:12

Re: New: Map-based competitions (in beta)!

#17 2010-03-01 07:11:44

Re: New: Map-based competitions (in beta)!

#18 2010-03-01 09:37:55

Re: New: Map-based competitions (in beta)!

#19 2010-03-01 12:53:30

Re: New: Map-based competitions (in beta)!

#20 2010-03-01 17:37:04

Re: New: Map-based competitions (in beta)!

#21 2010-03-02 07:31:09

Re: New: Map-based competitions (in beta)!

#22 2010-03-05 04:13:57

Re: New: Map-based competitions (in beta)!

#23 2010-03-08 13:10:16

Re: New: Map-based competitions (in beta)!

#24 2010-03-11 16:48:41

Re: New: Map-based competitions (in beta)!

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