About TrailRegistry

While I was hiking the Appalachian Trail in the spring and summer of 2001, I discovered two new tools of the long distance hiker that most weekenders usually don't have: the altitude profile and the detailed guidebook.

The guidebooks that I was using gave information about every notable feature along the trail, such as shelters, water sources, summits, road crossings, etc. Attractions such as restaurants, outfitters, entertainment, and supermarkets were also noted and rated in the guidebooksas well. This tool turned out to be a great help in planning out what to do each day.

The altitude profiles were also a great tool for setting expectations for each day; at a glance, I could tell roughly what the terrain ahead was like, how much uphill, how much downhill, and what to expect where. For example, I could easily tell that I should be looking to refill my water bottles at a stream just over the second summit.

Unfortunately, for the weekend backpacker, or anyone who is not backpacking along a well known long distance route, neither of these two tools is available. Sometimes you can get these in large guidebooks that cover all of the trails in a given region, but who wants to carry a big book around while backpacking?

It was from this that I came up with the idea for TrailRegistry. With GPS technology, a computer can generate customized altitude profiles and guidebooks for any trail or set of trails. All a backpacker will have to do is enter the route that they plan to take, and TrailRegistry will do the rest.

I also hope to extend TrailRegistry to many adventure sports such as Bicycle Touring, Mountain Biking, and Cross Country Skiing. All that is needed is for users to carry a GPS while on a trail and to upload their trail and comments afterward. Then the entire community can take advantage of that information.

Currently TrailRegistry is under construction. I am working on this site during my free time after work and on weekends. In order to make my dream a reality, GPS data and experiences from trail networks need to be submitted, and contributors are welcome to add content and foster discussions.

Thank You:

• Alexis, my wife and trail partner (Pippi AT 2001 GA>ME), for putting up with my long hours in front of the computer.
• My Mother (Falling Snow LT 2002), who has agreed to haul my GPS with her while hiking the White Mountains in New Hampshire.
• Derek Ludwig, for figuring out the hard part of the algorithm to draw the topographic rings efficiently. Also for help in promoting the website.
• Jason Moody, for giving me space on his server to host TrailRegistry.
• And Everyone who contributes to TrailRegistry, for helping to make my dream a reality.

I hope you find TrailRegisrty useful for your next adventure!

Sincerely,

Geoffrey Borggaard, (BamBam AT 2001 GA>ME)

Sign up for TrailRegistry it's Free! Signing up allows you to:

• Participate in discussions.
• Download trails and waypoints to your GPS.
• Save your preferences.
• Save your itineraries.