Routes

A list of imported routes, tracks and waypoint counts are displayed when you click the Routes button on the summary page.

Import GPX formatted files using the iOS/iPadOS share facility. Drag and drop files on macOS. For each imported file the names of each route and track are displayed under each filename heading. In versions after 1.10.0, the distance is calculated for each route and track. If the route or track contains elevation data, the total ascent and descent values or also shown.

Ascent/Descent Calculations

Note that in practice routes or tracks containing elevation data from GPS devices tends to result in inaccurate ascent/descent calculations. For technical reasons, elevation heights are much less accurate than two-dimensional positions. More frequent recording of tracks exacerbates these inaccuracies making it look like there were many small ascents and descents. If you have access to a tool (such as available in TripServer) that can simplify the track using an algorithm such as the Ramer—Douglas—Peucker algorithm, the ascents/descent values tend to be more realistic. This will vary by many factors, particularly the actual terrain. Note: that TripLogger version 1.12.0 now includes an option on the routes page to simplify a track or route.

Single touching or clicking on a route or track makes it the active route when the map page is displayed. The Routes button's name is changed to that of the active route.

Clicking the GPX file name shows a page where the file, route or track names can be edited. Also this is where there is an option to delete the GPX file.

On the Apple Watch, long-press the GPX file name for an option to delete the GPX file, after confirmation.

Long-pressing a route or track on the iPhone gives options to:

  • Send or re-send the GPX file to a paired watch.
  • Share the GPX file.
  • Edit waypoint names and icons.
  • Edit the path, being either a route or track.
  • Reverse the route.
  • Simplify the path using the Ramer—Douglas—Peucker algorithm.
  • Show the selected path on the map.
  • Delete the GPX file.

Some changes made on the phone are reflected on the watch, primarily renaming or deleting routes, tracks and GPX files. Creating, deleting and renaming waypoints are not updated on the watch. After creating new routes they are not updated on the watch. Simply use the above option to resend the GPX file to the watch when you have finished making changes.

Simplifying Paths

See the Wikipedia page for details on how the Ramer—Douglas—Peucker algorithm reduces the number of points in a route.

TripLogger uses a default epsilon value of 5 metres which can be changed on the settings page. Using a bigger value will generally result in more points being removed from the path. Values between 5 and 20 metres will usually remove points and still leave a reasonably detailed path.

After simplifying a path, it is saved as a copy with a new name.

Estimated Hiking Time

An estimated hiking time is shown for the route, calculated using Scarf's distance equivalence rule, which in turn is based on Naismith's rule.

time = (total distance + total ascent × factor) ÷ speed

By default an average speed of 4.00 km/h (2.49 mph) is used in combination with a default Scarf's distance equivalence factor of 7.92. These values can be changed using the Average speed button on the main page. On the watch it can be changed by clicking on the Average speed link at the bottom of the routes list.

Time Estimates

The time to hike a route can vary greatly according to many factors, especially the terrain and conditions. This estimate is made without any knowledge of these factors and is simply a calculation based on the values of the plotted distance, total ascent, average speed and Scarf's distance equivalence factor. In practice this is likely to be the minimum time to cover the route and takes no account of rest breaks, fatigue etc.

Maintaining GPX Files

Updating GPX Files on Apple Watch

Generally changes made to GPX files on the phone are reflected on the watch, but not when creating routes, nor after creating or modifying waypoints. This is mainly to avoid repeatedly transferring files to the watch as small edits are being made.

Once you have finished modifying routes and waypoints for a particular GPX file, update the watch by long-pressing any path entry for the GPX file, then select the `Send to watch` option to copy the selected GPX file to the watch. It will completely replace any existing entry on the watch.

Deleting or modifying routes on the watch does not delete or update them on the phone.

Renaming Files and Paths

Pressing on the GPX filename shows the Modify GPX names page.

Selected the filename allows you to rename the GPX file.

Selecting a route or track name allows you to rename the path.

There is also a buttton at the bottom of the page to delete the GPX file.

Editing Paths

When editing paths, a new route is always created. If you're satisified with the new route, you can then choose to delete the old track or route that it was based on.

Where the new route is created depends on whether there is a currently selected path (with a tick alongside) and whether the Edit path option is selected.

To create a new route in a new GPX file, visit the map page without a currently selected route.

To create a new route in an existing GPX file, select a path entry for that file and then press the map layers button.

To create a new route based on an existing path, long-press the existing path and select the Edit path option. Note that if there is also a current route selected, even in a different GPX file, it is also displayed on the map. The new route is saved in the GPX file containing the long-pressed route that was selected for edit.

Tip

To view two paths simultaneously on the map, select one as the current route, then long-press on the other and select the `Edit path` option. They will then both be displayed on the map, the former as a route and the latter as a path that can be edited.

Editing Waypoints

Select the Edit waypoints option after long-pressing a path. The Waypoint Maintenance is displayed where waypoints can be renamed or deleted. Use the planning mode to add waypoints.