Trans Maroc Trail

Worthy of note- think of it as a safety suggestion particularly aimed at those who will be converting the .kml file into GPX for use in their Garmin or other devices which can use these file formats.

@ Chris Scott- would you please not summarily delete this safety post as you previously did.
Safety applies to everyone and unnecessary moderation does little to encourage those who provide information for the benefit of others. After all, isn’t that what the Hubb was originally created for?
Thank you.


Once opened in Basecamp, the entire TMT comprises of 49 separate tracks.
Please look carefully at the length of each one- as somehow- there is a great deal of contradicting information with the distance shown in the name of the track and the actual distance covered.
I've yet to be able to replicate this error with any other of my GPX files so it is a bit of a mystery so far.
If you look at the first screen shot-(before conversion) the errors in distance are clear once compared to the second image (after corrected conversion) where I have manually corrected these discrepancies



The third image is where you can see the actual track length and it needs match what you put in manually when/if you name/rename the track.
I included this info into the track name as, BEFORE starting a new track it focuses the mind as to whether all the variables are favourable for an enjoyable ride- such as sufficient fuel+ a margin, weather, time of day and approx time needed etc etc - I hope others find this useful.

I note Chris is now using my method of placing the distance in the name of file- very gratifying!- [as it was shown on the previously converted file into GPX (with Garmin icons) which I uploaded for other to have a look at/edit but which,alas, was also deleted...]



Also worthy of consideration-

Open any track of the TMT and go to the 'Graph' tab
You will see a graph of 'Elevation', ‘Speed’ and Distance.
In Basecamp, the Speed is shown in Blue, Elevation in Green- see Picture One

In Basecamp, on a ridden/driven on the actual ground, the recorded track should show you:
Track Name and distance if you have added this manually
Then:

Index in numerical sequence
Elevation
Leg distance
Leg Time
Leg Speed
Leg Course
Time (date and time)
Position

==> See picture 'On the ground recording'


I do not know what devices Chris or Gill were using nor of any of settings they have but there are a great deal of discrepancies which I would strongly suggest you consider.
I attach an example of a recording made live, on the ground as I went along which contains the information shown see picture 'On the ground Recording'.
Compare this information to the data provided/missing/corrupted in each track and draw your own conclusions. I am not here to pick a 'bun fight' with anyone.

My repeated public thanks to Chris and Gill for their work. I shall, no doubt enjoy a few of the unknown trails (to me) in this fabulous country which is Morocco and have more of their delicious tagines.
However:
I strongly felt that 'a heads up and check the information yourself' was very much warranted due to the number of errors I have, so far, identified and I am still working on as well as the potential risks riding/driving such trails can create. It is tough enough on the ground!


Safe travels to all

Attached Thumbnails

 

 

 

 

 

The details in the blue/green graph and 'properties' tag one below above pictures above are particularly useful(IMHO) when trying to visualize a track as they provide data, some of which can be an indicator of difficulty. It is a great pity that most do not have this data recorded.

Anyone can then decide to add value to those tracks by adding other waypoints as they see fit. In Basecamp, for example, I've added an alarm at 20km from petrol stations and others places.

Not exactly clear what point you're trying to make here?

The GPX I have is 29 tracks and 174 waypoints with V2.9 of the TMT

(edit I see now that you are loading the TMT kml file rather than the gpx, the kml does give 49 routes. But in your first image there are tracks that do not appear in the current V2.9 kml file?)

My point is simple-
To remind folks to check any information provided however well intentioned.
We are all humans and are prone to error.
Many places are far from help, trails in particular.

It is a known fact that some 98% of forum users are just harvesters and could be prone to using data given in the spirit of sharing 'as is' with possible risky consequences.

If you look at the example I have given, the detailed data is there whereas it is missing from the .kml original file. I've no idea why but the only guess I can think of is that the tracks were not recorded 'live' as they were ridden/driven or that, if they were (which I doubt) whatever device/s were used to record were not set up correctly.
Anyway, the message for anyone using someone elses' data is to check and check again for their own safety.
That's all, I"ve done my bit!
Happy trails

Wow!
I am so pleased most of my off-road experience was gained prior to or,in the early days of GPS and am still alive to tell the tales.

Thanks to you all for taking the time to develope these tracks and adjustments.

As for the risks! Bollocks,just do it

I'm still confused by the main issue here, ignoring the discrepancies in the stage length which doesn't appear on either the kml or gpx I have for the TMT, the main issue seems to be the leg data recorded when a track is actually being driven?

I'm not sure this data is of any relevance to users, the main information required is the actual route being accurate. I use my recorded tracks a lot when planning tours in Morocco but never use the leg data, the 2 bits of info I need from a recorded track is total time taken and a visual record of the route to be displayed on screen.

Given the aim of the TMT is to provide a route from Nador to Cap Draa the data provided seems to fit the bill for users.

Indeed TheWarden- if that is its main purpose then, aside from Mother Nature doing some reshaping, it will do that. I am still looking for any interesting places to visit along that trail though - aside from it just being just a trail-

Whilst you are here, can I pick you brain? Maybe you can throw some light on this example?:
See picture below which is an approx. visual comparaison of ~terrain V recorded graph on the track from Tata to Foum el Hassan
That is what I referred to as 'discrepancies'

I really would like to know which vehicle allows for a vertical drop of 1,797.8 meters, survives then drives on for ~35kms then goes vertical again to resume its journey! (and which brand & model of satnav was on board!)

Attached Thumbnails

 

 

Agree 100%. Messrs Scott and Gill are giving their extensive research data away "for free". I'm very grateful for them doing the legwork for me. If it's created from others' actual tracklogs, with the altimeter on/off/on the blink, who cares. If it's drawn in mapping software by Morocco experts, who cares.

I'll loosely follow the TMT at some point this month and next month. I'm on a big shed of a bike with luggage, so will weigh up (pun intended) the conditions based on the weather, possible travel companions, my mood, the phase of the moon and multiple other wibbly wobbly factors, not exclusively limited to speaking with other (local and visiting) humans.

Waypoints from the TMT, iOverlander, mates, previous visits (more than 15 years ago), Mr Cullis' hotel list from back in the day, Google Maps or even OSM's own POI's. I'll also carry a paper map and a paper guidebook (also useful as a sidestand weight spreader).

No idea why I'm bothering to reply.

__________________

TBS.com

Thanks all and appreciate your original post Toyark, thanks for taking the time to share. The TMT team always appreciates feedback.

For what its worth, one point that we've been at pains to stress from the word go is that the TMT is a guide but its not a subsistute for personal responsibility, as this is the essence of an adventure after all! You'll see this is stressed on the TMT website and the FAQs etc repeatedly.

Or, to put it another way - if you were buying a wardrobe, the TMT is not a ready-built one from a posh furniture store but rather more like a flat-pack one that the user has to build themselves (and take responsibility for building), from an Ikea store.

...but without the meatballs or those huge bags of mini Dime bars. For better or for worse. ;-)

Ed

__________________
Where Next Barney? / Trans Morocco Trail

You are welcome-
IMHO, one can never over state the need for anyone, no matter how skilled, to check any information provided pretty much anywhere- especially in hazardous areas - ask any MRTs'.

Attached a .gpx file of the highest peaks in Morocco according to Wiki.
NB Caveat
I did not climb them and the data came from here
I may have made a typo too...

Attached Files

Highest Peaks in Morocco.gpx (16.5 KB, 19 views)