Compatability of Track Files

Former Member
Former Member
I have been using an Etrek Summit exclusively for hillwalking for about the last twelve years. I used a software programme called 'Gartrip' to view the walks on the map from the downloaded track and waypoint files. Never had a problem with this approach. Within the last six months I purchased a Dakota 20.
My problem is that I have a lot of tracks taken on the Etrek which I would like to import to the Dakota which uses GPX files which are different to those produced by the Etrek. A method which works for me is as follows.

1. Open the old track file in Gartrip and then save this file from Gartrip with a GPX extension rather than its normal t extension.
2. Open this newly saved file in Base Camp.
3. Track file will come up in Base Camp exactly correct. I have the Topo map for Ireland in the GPS.

The problem at this point is that the track file in Base Camp contains a number of quite small tracks rather than one continuous one for the full walk.Whilst working in Base Camp this is no problem but when the file is downloaded to the GPS it sees the file as a number of different tracks. This is not practical as you would have to keep switching your GPS from track to track as you walk along.
My workaround for this situation is as follows.

4. In Base Camp make a new continuous single track for the walk which will overlay the original track.
5. Delete the old tracks from the file leaving just the newly created track.
6. Save single track file in Base Camp and download to GPS

My question is. Is there any simple way to combine the many individual tracks of the original file into just one track to give an exact track of the original walk?

Regards

John Coughlan
  • In Basecamp you can select 2 or more tracks, then right click, select Advanced then join tracks.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    Hello John,

    Yes. When you open the track file you will see all the little pieces, "tracks", listed in the bottom window.
    Select all the tracks. Up top click> Edit > Advanced > Join the selected tracks.

    If you end up with a scrambled mess then the pieces will need editing. Click > Edit > Undo.

    Using the map, I view each track and number them in the order I want to connect them.
    All the pieces must be going in the same direction.
    If the end of 001 is going west then the beginning of 002 must be close to the end of 001 and also going west.
    To change track direction double click the track > click Invert at the bottom of the track window.

    After editing, I take the time to select the first 2 tracks and > Join the selected tracks. That should give me a new longer Track 001.
    Then I select 001 and 003 and join them making a new, even longer, 001 etc and I also make sure each new 001 is what I want.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    Problem Solved

    Just tried it.Problem solved. Thank you both for your help.
    Hello John,

    Yes. When you open the track file you will see all the little pieces, "tracks", listed in the bottom window.
    Select all the tracks. Up top click> Edit > Advanced > Join the selected tracks.

    If you end up with a scrambled mess then the pieces will need editing. Click > Edit > Undo.

    Using the map, I view each track and number them in the order I want to connect them.
    All the pieces must be going in the same direction.
    If the end of 001 is going west then the beginning of 002 must be close to the end of 001 and also going west.
    To change track direction double click the track > click Invert at the bottom of the track window.

    After editing, I take the time to select the first 2 tracks and > Join the selected tracks. That should give me a new longer Track 001.
    Then I select 001 and 003 and join them making a new, even longer, 001 etc and I also make sure each new 001 is what I want.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    Basecamp: Join two (or more) tracks

    In Basecamp you can select 2 or more tracks, then right click, select Advanced then join tracks.


    I ve done this successfully many times BUT..

    for some reason, every now and then, I try to join two tracks and although it does JOIN them and derive a NEW Track number, it will also run a direct line from one end to another which is/was NOT part of either TRACK. Think of a large Capital "S",,the TOP half being ONE track and the BOTTOM of the "s" being the other track. JOINING them results in a BIG "S" alright but

    NOW DRAW A LINE directly from one end of the "S" to the Other, you end up with an "S" with a DIAGONAL LINE RUNNING RIGHT THRU IT as part of the track.
    This is happening with about 10% of the JOINING I do. I don't understand WHY?

    also, when I try to CUT out that new DIAGONAL (or whatever) piece/line out with the scissors, it doesn't work..it usually CUTS out the whole NEW (joined track).

    What am I doing wrong?

    :confused:
  • It's happening because one track is going in one direction and the other in the other, so Basecamp joins end of one to start of the other. Reverse one track and it'll work correctly.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    Joining tracks

    Thanks for the PROMPT reply and FIX

    Alan:)