rookie question: aerial maps...

[david blumberg]

Hi,

For navigation on our impending Chatham R loop we have a compass, gps units, and the waterproof charts of the area.  I have been reading here about the value of aerial charts, I guess from Google Earth, but I dont have any experience using them.  are they more likely to be accurate than the waterproof charts?  with a compass and aerial chart can you  figure out where you are?  Do you keep literal track of your position on the aerial map as you travel? are the aerials at low tide?

any links or tips to help a rookie 'glades navigator would be appreciated...I have a Garmin Etrex Legend with Fla maps loaded, and have waypoints along our route.  could someone please tell me how to use the aerials?

When we do a multi-day down river trip, I can match our position vis a vis the terrain in the GPS with my river map and keep track of where we are.  I was assuming I could do the same with the waterproof charts...

[Terry]

For what you're doing all you need is nautical charts and a compass.

You'll only need an aerial of the Northside if you take that route because it goes

off the nautical charts.  An aerial of Charley Creek is nice if you're going to use the

creek, there's a short segment not shown on the nauticals, however, if you're in there

without an aerial just follow your compass and what makes sense.

You're not going to cut anything so leave all your cutting tools home.

And don't worry you're not going to see a python, probably won't see any snakes.

Your biggest problem will be no-see-ums on the beach sites if the weather is hot.

Have you experienced no-see-ums before?

[david blumberg]

thanks, terry....

we are going to run that Northside route you told me about.  I plotted it with Mapsource on my fla topo map  from studying the GE map of the route you posted, so it is in the GPS....I noticed it was not on my chart 39.  can you email the file of the route? Or I can try to print the picture you posted.  I hadnt thought about it being off the nav chart. So that is when the aerial charts come into play?

I tried to use that Visualizer site but could not save the drawn route I created...

Actually, I am not worried about the snakes, and I'm more scared of cotton mouths than pythons, anyway...My only FEAR so far is getting caught on the open gulf in a loaded canoe with swampy waves and wind. 

And as a Fla cracker now living in SC I am well acquainted with no-see-ums (the bastads)...

[Terry]

Use the map I posted of the Northside but don't copy it, instead, go to GE and trace it yourself

using the one I posted as a guide.   Examine the route at the best resolution, probably around

1000 feet of elevation, plot it and study it.   Using your own map will make you learn

it better instead of just printing out and trusting my jpg.

BTW, when you're in GE turn on the user photos and check out the two photos of the

jet engine.

[Kim Gass]

Well if the Gulf is windy..stay put.  The rangers do expect you to conduct your trip safely. Paddling your day early before the 11 am alarm clock that rises the wind is a good idea.

I downloaded my FL topo from www.gpsfiledepot.com. It shows Terrys suggested route quite nicely. I have not used Google Earth for an aerial view. True Chart 41 cuts it off. 39 is for south of Lostmans River.

Don't get cemented onto an exact track. Depending on wind you might have to take a much different course. I remember being in Big Lostmans Bay in gusts to 42 mph. We survived by mangrove island hopping. It was a bit of work...

We have no seeums galore here too but the Everglades subspecies seems to be voraciously hungry when the heat gun cranks on. I have a Susie Bug net

http://www.cookecustomsewing.com/susiebug.htm  that is also made in No Seeum netting. Probably too late to shop. The little miseries don't like wind. So wind is good and evil. They seem to not like lemon and eucalyptus oil so I have been told.

Know where you are all the time but do not dwell nose in the charts for fear of getting lost. I had a friend that missed alot with nose to GPS.  I understand the fear of depending on electronics though. Perhaps you can make a copy of that Mapsource area. There is a print function on my Mapsource.

[david blumberg]

thanks,  I will make my own GE map of that area.  I have that same fla topo. and I got the OR Bug net, which is no-see-um mesh

http://www.rei.com/product/751955/outdoor-research-deluxe-spring-ri...

we are camping at Collier-Seminole Friday & Saturday nights, will get our route permit Saturday morning, and launch as early as we can Sunday morning.  Hi tide about 5 am at choko.  we are shooting for Pavilion, which has a hi tide at 3 pm.

we will have to eat brekkie, break camp, drive to Choko, unload, pack boats, and run 2 cars back to EGCity to the ranger station before we can launch.  with the low tide at Choko  11:41, what would be the time we dont want to leave after? If we get up at 5 we can prolly be on the water by 9...Is that too late?

my 39F goes from Choko to Lostman's...

ANd I was curious about the jet engine, a drive-by googling didnt turn up anything....

[Kim Gass]

Looks like the redid some of the maps and you have the fishing map.  Have a lookie in the hardware store in EC for other charts if you have time.

http://www.waterproofcharts.com/search_details.php?ID=97&Search...

Only the wind gods know about winds on your departure day. I forget if you are going to Rabbit first. The tide will be agin you and then with you( but are not bad). If you are headed to CC it will probably be turning against you before you hit Lopez River. (Lopez has a pretty potent tidal current).

But remember that you do not have your float plan at hand yet. With spring break week you have to stay flexible.

It could be one of those still days that are a pleasure too.  I can sense a bit of excitement!

[vivian]

You'll only need an aerial of the Northside if you take that route because it goes

off the nautical charts.

If you have a topo map from gpsfiledepot on your garmin the entire northwater route is on it.  That topo chart is all you need for the entire route you are going on.  Definately get the aerial for charley creek but I was able to follow my route on the topo downloaded on my garmin.

[Swamp Hunter]

And I was curious about the jet engine, a drive-by googling didnt turn up anything....

 

I was curious also.  What is the jet engine?

[david blumberg]

we are definitely excited!  we are thinking to shoot for pavilion first night, then Mormon. I know it's a longer haul than stopping at Rabbit...with a Choko low tide of 11:41 will we be OK if we launch by 9, or should we roll out of bed earlier?  we are launching from Choko...would we save that much by putting on from Island Park instead of Outdoor Resort?

I made my GE map of the Northside route and printed it, that was fun...actually, a lot of it is on my #39F.  I think, as all have said, that flexibility and not being married to any certain route is the way to approach it.  dont fight the wind if you dont have to...

[david blumberg]

cool, I DO have that...

[Tony L]

If you are going to Pavilion the first night I would launch from Island park. Low tide at Indian Key is 9:46am so if it were me I would try and leave a little earlier and catch as much of the outgoing tide as possible out to the Gulf.

[Terry]

Huh?!?!  You're staying at Collier Seminole SP and not starting there?!?!

As soon as you arrive on Friday pull your permit for Tiger or Picnic Key for

Saturday.  Go back to CSSP spend the night and leave early Saturday from

CSSP to Tiger or Picnic.   Better yet after you pull your permit go back

to CSSP and take the 3 to 4 hour paddle to Grocery Place, spend Friday night

there, then go to Tiger or Picnic on Saturday.

Park your extra cars at Seagrape or Turner River.   Start your trip at CSSP and

end it in BICY.  Wait, scratch that this is better yet, start your trip at Turner

and end at CSSP this gives

you a better chance to have the wind at your back.

With these better landings why would you even consider using the

EC/Choko honky-tonk??!!?

More canoeing, more wilderness, unspoiled vistas and all in the same time frame.

If you use Grocery Place call now, unlike ENP, CSSP takes reservations

early and it fills up.   Call them, the reservation is free, if you don't use it

just let them know.