Elevation Tracking

[jgiesbrecht]

I have been keeping an eye on different apps, seeing what I would like to use next spring when I walk the CF. I have a fitbit, so have used that app for a while. I have also checked out mapmywalk, and only slightly browsed polarsteps and walkmeter. With fb it's just flights of stairs....I'd like to have a bit more in depth tracking, but not willing to pay either. Obviously step apps are a dime a dozen, but what apps have you used for elevation tracking?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Fitbit tracks only the "up" of elevation change. I have a SPOT which tracks up and down.

 

[Colette Z]

I use the free app STRAVA for each day. It is more accurate than my iPhone Apple health app for steps/km plus it tracks elevations. Attaching a sample.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

You will require a good quality digital thermometer, a kettle and some source of heat.

At sea level, water boils at 100 °C (212 °F). For every 500-foot (150 m) increase in elevation, water's boiling point is lowered by approximately 0.5 °C (0.9 °F). At 8,000 feet (2,400 m) in elevation, water boils at just 92 °C (198 °F).

At regular intervals stop, boil your kettle and record the temperature.

Yes, you will get some strange looks along the way but think of the new friendships to be made as you sit back, sip your cups of tea and enjoy the view together . . . .

I once read the journal of a Victorian explorer who did just this and spent 10 years of his life in search of the perfect cup of tea.

 

[John Sikora]

I use Walkmeter. It does cost a very little bit for the premium edition but it does a fine job of measuring altitude and showing it as an elevation map. It also produces a kml track which can be mapped into Google Earth for an elevation profile as well.

 

[ortemio]

I have been using Gaia app. Tracks all you want plus stats at the end of the day, + tracks and live maps, it even makes tea after a long day

 

[Former member 35551]

I second GAIA GPS. The few times that I have calibrated, it's been very accurate. Also, they keep expanding their maps of US national parks and wilderness areas. They went to a subscription model a few years ago. I have one. Not sure if there is a free version. However, I've heard a lot about Strava and seems to be a favorite of runners. I may use that (along with GAIA) for my next camino.

edit: One other thing about GAIA. It is rock solid. I have used several other tracking apps (paid and free) and none were as stable as GAIA. They would crash and/or stop tracking for huge sections.

 

[Pilgrim9]

I use the OsmAnd+ offline mapping and navigation app which I installed on my 8" Android tablet. I love it. It is feature rich. One can command it to record one's track. The track records show elevation, total climb, total descent, speed, etc., and can be exported to other devices or shared with other people. The app is extremely economical, does not need internet connectivity after one has downloaded the maps, and the maps, which are open-source, are free and show the Caminos and other hiking trails as well as lodging places, cafés, ATMs, laundromats, etc. etc.

OsmAnd | OsmAnd

Offline Mobile Maps & Navigation

osmand.net

I have no economic interest in OsmAnd, am simply a very satisfied user.

 

[islandwalker]

Wikiloc and Gaia are my favorites. Wikiloc was developed in Spain and has a large number of Spanish tracks on its site, so in addition to seeing your own elevation stats, you can see others’ for any deviations you might be considering.

 

[Kiwi-family]

Strava

 

[Xali1970]

I use AlpineQuest.
Best €10 I spent on navigation/mapping/tracking app.
Comes with all the hiking trails laid out

 

[ortemio]

I have been using Gaia app. Tracks all you want plus stats at the end of the day, + tracks and live maps, it even makes tea after a long day

IGN Mapas de España is also awesome and it is free, it has tracks for ALL the caminos, maybe it has way too much info for the app addicted pilgrim...

 

[David Tallan]

IGN Mapas de España is also awesome and it is free, it has tracks for ALL the caminos, maybe it has way too much info for the app addicted pilgrim...

I just downloaded this app. But rather than having tracks for ALL the caminos, it seemed to come with no tracks at all, just the base map (very nice though that base map may be). Maybe the tracks came from elsewhere and were just openable in the app?

 

[ortemio]

I just downloaded this app. But rather than having tracks for ALL the caminos, it seemed to come with no tracks at all, just the base map (very nice though that base map may be). Maybe the tracks came from elsewhere and were just openable in the app?

Just look around for "caminos de Santiago" and it will lead you to a menu w all the caminos it will also read gpx or kml tracks

 

[ortemio]

Click on the black diamond with the right turning arrow, 1st choice

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

IGN Mapas de España is also awesome and it is free, it has tracks for ALL the caminos, maybe it has way too much info for the app addicted pilgrim...

I just downloaded this app. But rather than having tracks for ALL the caminos, it seemed to come with no tracks at all, just the base map (very nice though that base map may be). Maybe the tracks came from elsewhere and were just openable in the app?

I discovered that this app actually gets its tracks from elsewhere. It can be used to display any track. I liked the idea of having detailed topo maps but it looked too complicated for casual use. The BASIC instructions ran to ninety or so pages in Spanish. It looked like there were many features that professionals would love though.

On my just finished camino I used Wikiloc to keep me on track and OSMand to navigate within the destination towns (because the Wikiloc tracks might end at a different place than where you want to go).

 

[Pilgrim9]

David Tallan:

The same publisher offers another app that focusses on the Camino.

Search for "Cno. Santiago by Centro Nacional de Información Geográfica".