Try http://www.trailexchange.co.uk for a growing numbers of gps based routes - please feel free to add your own routes to the site.

That should be simon_leck@hotmail.com, must have been drunk when I typed that...

A noticed that some of you guys from the forum as using Tracklogs, if you like to exchange routes with me before I put them up on my site let me know as my hotmail account i.e. simon_leck "at" homtmai.com

Chris (Phillips). My problem is that I took the personal decision some time ago that my future map purchases would be of the computerised variety as that is where I thought the future lay. Having got a TrackLogs Site Centred map of the Chilterns I feel that it is a total waste of mine and natures resources to duplicate it with a paper version which I cannot ever see myself using. Chris (Chorley) You are correct, again, about the possibility runny ink in wet conditions. However, I use another modern day piece of equipment and laminate them. Thanks to all for thier illuminating torch comments.

Rules and general details of events should be accessible from the LDWA events web pages. The SEF should perhaps say something to the effect of 'I agree to abide by the rules of the event as published on the website/final details'. Ideally, final details/routes could be downloaded from the website. Would this be possible if all organisers forwarded a copy of deails to the webmaster for scanning and inclusion ? As far as printing digital mapping goes; I used these in a 2 week backpack across Scotland with absolutely no problem. Ian makes reference to torches. This is another aspect where organisers need to be dragged kicking & screaming into the 21st Century. For example, I have a light that is primarlily used for night-time mountain biking. This light gives off the equivalent of 40 watts of halogen light and is as bright as a car headlight. Yet it would not be allowed on some events because the lens diameter is less than 30cms. It seems that there needs to be more common sense and flexibility rather than hard 'set in concrete' rules.

what is the rule for LED torches? all i see is a working torch and spare bulb and batteries

I don't have any problem with using printed maps from the various mapping applications (though I am doubtful of what would happen in a downpour if lasers aren't used !) I just think people should obey the rules. Anyway, a question; if you use SEFs then how do you make prospective entrants aware of these picky little rules - you can on the normal entry forms which include the details ? Perhaps the answer is that there are no rules if SEFs are used - but then you wouldn't know which map to print !

I agree with Peter on this one, and I sypathise with his dilema. I am also of the opinion that the LDWA is very slow to embrace new ideas & technology. In a previous thread, I mentioned that way back in 1987 I suggested using Standard Entry Forms when applying for events, but I was sternly put in my place for suggesting such an 'improvement'. It took another 16 years for this to be introduced. Similarly, many people are now using GPS and digital mapping (I use Anquet & Tracklogs), and I can see no reason why one cannot use prints from this mapping, as long as you are covering the whole route with sufficient detail either side of the route. Some groups will accept these maps, others stubbornly refuse to accept that there are alternatives, as I discovered on one northern based event last year. Come on LDWA, it's now the 21st Century. Let's be a modern, forward-thinking organisation, and move with the times.

Peter, I don't mind your my views on the rule regarding a spare bulb and LED torches. You might like to know mine: On events I enter which specify the spare bulb, I carry a small maglite and bulb in addition to my Lucido LED torch, ie I comply with the rules because they are there, I like a quiet life, and not giving the organisers any unecessary hassle (or questions !). However, you will find that I would accept a LED torch (with spare batteries but no bulb) on the Poppyline Fifty. I know what makes sense, but I obey others' rules ;-)

I was one of the walk organisers Peter spoke to and, like him, I'm fully in favour of the use of digital mapping by those who want to. We have moved part way towards his view on this year's Durham Dales Challenge by simply stating that black and white photocopies of maps are not permissible - leaving it open for those who can read between the lines! I shall certainly be fighting in Peter's corner at the next meeting of the organising committee for the 2006 Northumberland Hundred.

Peter, Maybe I've missed something but I dont understand why you say you "cannot comply with the rules". I can understand your frustration about not being able to use your digital mapping but why cant you just get the relevant OS maps?

Chris. You are correct and I agree with your comments 101%. I am definitely the looser. However, (isn't there always a however) I am sorry that you have gained the impression that I want to bend the rules and that in asking for clarification I was hassling the organisors to the extent that it is not worth their while. These are the last things I want to appear to be doing. My irrational (even childish) decision not to enter is because I cannot comply with the rules. Over time rule changes obviously occur but I am not sure how that can happen unless polite hassle free questions are asked. I have now posed the question about comperterised mapping on three LDWA events and had two for and one against responses. I am certain that universal acceptance will happen sometime in the future but if polite, diplomatic questions to organisors are not acceptable then I am not sure how this will be achieved. Loss of entrants is the road I am following but if you could divert me onto another path I would be more than grateful. I hope to be of assistance to you as you pass through Medmenham and Potten End on the Marshalls Walk (I write that just to prove that I ahve not taken my bat home completely). Finally, I don't suppose you want my views on the rule regarding a spare bulb and LED torches do you?

I have carried my route description electronically on the past four hundreds or so, using a Palm PDA. I prefer it as I don't have to turn the pages, and it is backlit at night. We also carry tracklogs maps (with the route marked on them). My/our choice. But we also carry all of the required kit including the OS maps and printed route description. Why ? Because we want to have a good walk, and if there are rules put in place by the organisers we follow them so that we can do the walk. It is hard work organising a challenge, and when a walker wants to bend the rules there comes a point when it just doesn't seem worth the hassle any more. Obey the rules, take it or leave it. You've made your decision, but (like those who short-cut between checkpoints) you are the one who loses.

I am interested to see the TrackLogs mapping, route designing and GPS possibilities mentioned above. I should, however, point out that OS maps printed from TrackLogs are not acceptable on LDWA organised events. At least, on this years Chilterns Monuments Hundred, I am told that the rule regarding carrying the designated maps has to be complied with. As I have purchased a Chilterns 40Km X 40Km site centred 1:25000 TrackLogs map they would, in my case, be nothing more than expensive luggage. Needless to say this will be the first Hundred I have missed in nine years. I am probably being very unjust but it seems to me that the barve new world is still being kept at bay by some elements in the LDWA.
[Many years ago on a 'boot only' walk I was allowed to walk in trainers only if I carried boots. That could never happen now so I suppose that there is a glimmer of hope that attitudes do change but probably it will be too late for me.]
I too would love to have access to a library of walks of whatever nature. All my walks since early 2004 have been recorded by downloading from my GPS and now constitute my 'walks diary'. The possibility of downloading other walks is very appealing.

I've put together a website containing this sort of information, at the moment it's only for yorkshire, but I'm looking to expand it (when I get time) and put route in eMap format, memory-map, tracklogs etc.

website: http://www.moorlandchallenge.org.uk/

There must be lots of walkers/runners using gps units. An archive of Routes would be quite easy to create and others could download the route for transfer to their GPS or mapping software (e.g. Tracklogs).

Simon Finch

I would dearly like to see a library of event routes. I therefore fully support my fellow members of this desire.

I am also prepared to add routes of varying lengths from my own Surrey area.

There are 2 things you cannot tell from a map.

1. The quality of food / welcome to walkers / opening hours and phone numbers of pubs on route - so including this info would be really helpful.

2. Height and design of style. For LDWA members whose LONG distance walks are shortened somewhat by children, then knowing good routes that an all-terrain pushchair can tackle would be very useful. I can vividly remember climbing over a large gate in Shropshire with toddler, baby, pushchair and papoose! A few years ago I had a good collection of walks in Kent suitable for a keen walker with an all-terrain pushchair. A sub-category of such routes might be useful to members no longer able to take part in challenge type events

That's a really good idea. Think how many route descriptions each of us must have! Perhaps the local groups could provide route descriptions of past challenge or social walks.

How about providing a library of walk descriptions, searchable by area (maybe by County), distance and ascent, with grid references for places along the route. Time expected to walk each section or for the whole route? The information being provided by members, and only available to members.

Maps would be great, and the ability to view (click through to) photos showing points of interest along the route.

The walks wouldn't necessarily need to be event routes - they could be anything from a pub walk to a long distance path.