Any DeLorme Topo USA® Users?, BFRO Sightings Map Folio Options

[Mangani]

I am an occasional mapping enthusiast and over the past few years I have gradually compiled a Topo USA map folio showing approximate locations of sightings on the BFRO's online data base (plus a few sightings from other online sources that appear to be reasonably creditable).

The file includes reports since 1990. People with Topo USA 5.0 are welcome to download this map transfer file and join the fun. Maybe someone would like to put together a separate Topo USA map file of the pre 1990 reports?

Sample Images (©DeLorme Mapping):

Overview Contiguous US/Southern Canada -

Zoom In on an Ohio Cluster -

[Ken Y.]

I have used the Delorme topo usa in plotting points of sightings myself in Skamaina county in washington around the Mt St Helens Area.

Focus your efforts in a county wide survey for the sightings listed on the bfro site.
It takes time but it is well worth it.

The mapping program allows for the placement of waypoints and for the exageration of the elevation.

once you have you points plotted on your map follow the lowest elevation (i.e) creekbeds, gulleys, and draws that connect each one with the shortest disance to the other.

Start looking in these low spots for tracks ways and trails. They seem to walk in the seam of the landscape along these trails.

I have found tracks several times by using this method.

Good Luck,

Ken Ken Yielding

[Susan]

I have the 11x17 book edition of DeLorme's Washington Atlas and Gazetteer. I refer to it often when I read sighting reports. I don't have it on disk for the computer though, that would be cool.

Is the computer version for the entire US or do you have to buy each state?

[adamsclimber]

Susan, if I remember correctly, you could buy Regions and US...I've got V.3 and bought it as a Regional....I think its got WA, OR, ID, CA, and HI if I remember correctly....was kinda bummed didn't have MT, but will say was/is a darned good buy IMHO

[Mangani]

Is the computer version for the entire US or do you have to buy each state?

Topo USA (as the name suggests) covers the entire country. You can purchase it one DVD or on a set of regional CDs for the same price. Detailed info can be found at the DeLorme web site via the link I included in my original post.

I used version 3 for the most part in creating the Bigfoot Sightings map folio, but I have recently upgraded to version 5. This version allows the inclusion of hyperlinks on map objects so the more recent reports on my map now include web links to the associated BFRO report. It's too bad that this feature wasn't available on the earlier version.

[Mangani]

Focus your efforts in a county wide survey for the sightings listed on the bfro site.
It takes time but it is well worth it.
...
once you have you points plotted on your map follow the lowest elevation (i.e) creekbeds, gulleys, and draws that connect each one with the shortest disance to the other.

I've already done the plotting work for others to take advantage of, at least with sightings since 1990. Of course some of the location descriptions on the BFRO site are quite specific and some are very general. So I've located the sightings only as well as I could with the available info. I've included an approximate margin of error if the location details are lacking. e.g. "~3mi"

For example, here is an overview of the Mount Rainier area.


Of course with the Topo USA software you can zoom in to a much more detailed view showing the detailed topography as Ken describes.

[ontheloose]

i have both oregon and washington delorme gazeteers take to the field, other wise on the comp i use topozone.com, its free.......

[chrisandclauida2]

this si cool you can see probable migration routes down the west coast into az up thru colorado. .i may have to get it.

[tugboatwa]

The file includes reports since 1990.  People with Topo USA 5.0 are welcome to download this map transfer file and join the fun.  Maybe someone would like to put together a separate Topo USA map file of the pre 1990 reports?

Aargh, now I have to upgrade to TOPO 5.0... the good news is, as a registered TOPO 4.0 user, I received an offer from them to upgrade to 5.0 for only $59.95.

This post has been edited by tugboatwa: Jun 27 2004, 12:48 PM

[Mangani]

Aargh, now I have to upgrade to TOPO 5.0... the good news is, as a registered TOPO 4.0 user, I received an offer from them to upgrade to 5.0 for only $59.95.

Actually I have found that you can still import the transfer file with Topo USA 3.0 (and I assume also 4.0).

With 3.0 you will be able to see all of the sightings. There are two drawbacks however.

1. The earlier version isn't designed to handle html links, so the more recent sightings for which I have included links to the BFRO web site will show the entire link address on the map and it will look very messy.

2. Also the earlier version does not include the ability to reduce the size of the map symbols at lower zoom levels, a feature I employed to reduce map clutter, particularly for the states with the most sightings. So the maps will look doubly messy at low zooms if you have version 3.0.

The good news is that these cosmetic problems should not interfere with your ability to see and study the sighting locations on the map.

Hope you find my efforts to be helpful!

[adamsclimber]

Mangani...thanks for the info, wasn't aware the file would transfer over. Your right about the clutter, but it is still very interesting to look through. Thanks!!

[tugboatwa]

I still think I need to upgrade to TOPO 5.0.

I currently have the Pacific West Region of TOPO 4.0. When I try to download your information, all I get is a page of computer cdde!

[Mangani]

I still think I need to upgrade to TOPO 5.0.

I currently have the Pacific West Region of TOPO 4.0. When I try to download your information, all I get is a page of computer cdde!  

I don't have 4.0, so can't say for sure that that version will import the transfer file.

But as to the download procedure:
You need to right click on the link transfer file and then select "Save [Link] Target As" to download the file to your hard drive. Then from the Mapfolio tab in Topo USA you find the file transfer function and import bigfootsightings.dmt from its location on your drive.

[tugboatwa]

Thanks for the tip... it works with Topo 4.0.

[tugboatwa]

Now that I have it... what do the various pins represent?

I see red X's, red flags, and blue pins.

[Mangani]

Now that I have it... what do the various pins represent?

Zoom out to level 2 and you should be able to see the legend (out in the Pacific Ocean ) that explains the meaning of the symbols.

Dark blue pins are creature sightings from BFRO.

Lighter blue pins ares creature sightings from other sources.

Red flags are footprints and other physical signs from BFRO reports.

Red Xs are vocalizations from BFRO reports.

[Mangani]

...you can see probable migration routes down the west coast into az up thru colorado...

Yes. It is interesting how at lower zoom levels the sightings do appear to be "lined up", and not just in the west. Look at Indiana up through Michigan and also from the gulf states across the Florida panhandle on down into the pennisula, also between the lakes in Manitoba, etc.

Difficult to say though if these linear clusters actually represent migration routes or simply zones of habitation that just happen to have a long narrow shape (or zones of contact with human kind - or for the skeptics, habitat zones of delusional humans ).

This post has been edited by Mangani: Jun 28 2004, 08:49 AM

[Mangani]

Also interesting to note where there are no sightings reported during this period: The heart of the great plains, Kansas, Nebraska, and eastern Colorado show no sightings.

If BF sightings were cultural or psychological phenomena, as opposed to encounters with actual physical beings, one would expect the people of the great plains to be just as subject to delusions as people everywhere else.

Of course it could be that there are some reports from these areas, but BFRO has no investigators assigned there to check them out.

[Silva]

Difficult to say though if these linear clusters actually represent migration routes or simply zones of habitation that just happen to have a long narrow shape (or zones of contact with human kind - or for the skeptics, habitat zones of delusional humans   ).

Habitat zones of delusional humans, heh heh, that's funny! I use TopoUSA quite a bit (and a bunch of mapping websites.) As for the linear and clustered points, comparing various maps and datasets it looks like mountain ranges correllate with most of these and the wetter end of average annual rainfall correllates with most also. Neither correllates with ALL of them alone but, together, mountain ranges and higher moisture regimes account for all of them. I guess I agree with Mangani's idea about 'zones of habitation.'

I've got a couple screengrabs here. The shaded relief is copyright Ray Sterner of Johns Hopkins Univ, the precipitation dataset is USGS National Atlas data. Compare for yourself and let us know what you think!

Does anybody have ideas about other characteristics that can be compared to encounter locations?

Great topic!

Attached image(s)

 

[Silva]

The other screengrab. Displayed USGS National Atlas average annual precipitation dataset using ArcExplorer viewer (a free download, hint hint.)

Attached image(s)

 

[adamsclimber]

Mangani, just got a copy of Topo 5.0 today and got to finally cruise your map in proper perspective...Thanks for sharing it, was interesting before, now down right intriguing to me now

Being able to see everything for this area in a decent perspective, is very helpful right now as I'm planning a little sojurn up into the Gifford Pinchot and had nothing to import over from my old stuff....operator error strikes again

Thanks again!!

[tugboatwa]

I'm about 40 miles west of John, playing with Topo V4.0... figured out that if I save the download under the Topo program it stays on my computer.

Looks like my camping spot in August puts me right between about four BFRO reports.

[Mangani]

...playing with Topo V4.0... figured out that if I save the download under the Topo program it stays on my computer.

Tug, your computer travails remind me of my wife. (No offense intended as she is a wonderful person.) I'm always telling her that whatever she is currently struggling to do on the computer should really be intuitive to her. To which she tells me... .

It seems that some people just adapt more readily to using computer technology than others. Fortunately there are plenty of other valuable skill sets to have in life.

[Mangani]

Mangani, just got a copy of Topo 5.0 today and got to finally cruise your map in proper perspective...Thanks for sharing it, was interesting before, now down right intriguing to me now

Being able to see everything for this area in a decent perspective, is very helpful right now as I'm planning a little sojurn up into the Gifford Pinchot and had nothing to import over from my old stuff....operator error strikes again

Thanks again!!

Glad you're finding it worthwhile AC! Thanks for the feedback. To hear others are using it makes my efforts to compile and post the file more gratifying .

[Mangani]

...
I've got a couple screengrabs here.  The shaded relief is copyright Ray Sterner of Johns Hopkins Univ, the precipitation dataset is USGS National Atlas data.  Compare for yourself and let us know what you think!

Does anybody have ideas about other characteristics that can be compared to encounter locations?

Great topic!

Silva,

Thanks for the positive feedback and additional maps / ideas.

One association (I hesitate to call it a correlation, as it is far from universal) that I noticed when putting this together is how frequently sightings were near an area designated as a quarry or mine on Topo USA.

[tugboatwa]

BTW, Mangani... I like the screen name... I collect ERB first editions, but only when I can buy them cheap!

[Thunder_Tn]

Mangani;

I use a EarthMate Hyperformance on a Compaq Armada to navigate the woods.. Thanks for the info and links

Howee...

[Silva]

One association (I hesitate to call it a correlation, as it is far from universal) that I noticed when putting this together is how frequently sightings were near an area designated as a quarry or mine on Topo USA.

Well now, that's an interesting observation! I've heard much debate about whether bf uses caves, mineshafts or abandoned structures with any regularity. Without more precise location information for use in a purely statistical analysis (of appreciable "confidence level"), it may then be a mapper who shows in a spatial way whether bf seems inclined to make use of these things. Not that imprecise location info makes a spatial analysis more accurate, but a picture says more with less, accurate or not.

I look forward to the day. I mean, that alone could narrow the search. Agree? Disagree?

This post has been edited by tugboatwa: Jul 22 2004, 11:07 PM

[Mangani]

BTW, Mangani... I like the screen name... I collect ERB first editions, but only when I can buy them cheap!

Good luck with the collection, Tug. Apparently people with similar interests have similar interests.

I haven't actually read any Burroughs for a long time now. But in my younger days I really enjoyed his work. He is one of those writers who is able to create amazing narratives directly from his imagination, as opposed to basing them on actual experience. (Supposedly the inspiration for Tarzan came from a dream.) I need to pick up one his books again.

[Mangani]

Looks like my camping spot in August puts me right between about four BFRO reports.

...I'm planning a little sojurn up into the Gifford Pinchot...

Definitely getting off topic here, but since you guys appear to be very familiar with the Gifford Pinchot NF (I've only set foot there once myself), I wonder if either you has read Robert Pyle's Where Bigfoot Walks: Crossing the Dark Divide?

I picked it up at the library a couple of years ago and enjoyed reading it. While it is as much about philosophy and ecology as it is about Bigfoot, he does a nice job covering the history of sasquatch in the area around Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams, and the accounts of his own "not sure" encounters are interesting.

[Mangani]

I use a EarthMate Hyperformance on a Compaq Armada to navigate the woods.. Thanks for the info and links

You're welcome.

I have an original Earthmate that I used in my Jeep with a laptop. This year I switched to a Garmin iQue 3600. It is a very slick piece of technology. But of course I can't use DeLorme maps with it, at least not without a whole lot of trouble.

I lived in the Volunteer State for three years myself (Hendersonville). Based on the map it looks like you may be located right in the middle of a likely BF "habitation zone".

[Mangani]

One association (I hesitate to call it a correlation, as it is far from universal) that I noticed when putting this together is how frequently sightings were near an area designated as a quarry or mine on Topo USA.  -- Mangani

Well now, that's an interesting observation!  I've heard much debate about whether bf uses caves, mineshafts or abandoned structures with any regularity.  Without more precise location information for use in a purely statistical analysis (of appreciable "confidence level"), it may then be a mapper who shows in a spatial way whether bf seems inclined to make use of these things.  Not that imprecise location info makes a spatial analysis more accurate, but a picture says more with less, accurate or not.

I look forward to the day.  I mean, that alone could narrow the search.  Agree?  Disagree?

Hard to say, Silva. Unfortunately, I did not make any effort to catalog the sightings that I noticed were near mines/quarries and it would take a lot of time to go back over and find them again. I suspect, though, that the effort would show that while there are a significant number of sightings that fit that discription, the great majority do not. I'd further suspect that BF takes advantage of whatever shelter is available, be it caves, tunnels, abandoned buildings or forest cover. Likely food/water supply would be their top priority, then cover, and finally convenient shelter.

[stan]

Mangani,

I want to thank you for all the work that you done to make this available to everyone.

It inspired me to purchase Topo 5. It certainly puts everything in a spatial perspective.

Awesome!

Stan