| | Exercise 2 - Annapurna Circuit
|  | Landsat TM image of the Annapurna I region | |
The Annapurna Circuit is the most frequently travelled trekking route in Nepal. Each year, more than 60,000 people walk the 21-day round trip. To do this, good planning and preparation are definitely necessary.
In the following exercises we are going to use georeferenced satellite images and GIS layers to create different types of maps to get to know the route, and we will also assess the topography around Annapurna using a Digital Terrain Model.
Mapping the Annapurna Circuit
This exercise requires the GIS-tool ArcExplorer2. If you have not downloaded the programme, do so now (see right).
Standard Layer Properties and Queries
In the following exercise we will use georeferenced satellite images and GIS layers to create different types of maps to present the route. For this purpose, download the GIS layers into your folder 'Annapurna'.
Download the Annapurna GIS files(zip).
The Annapurna Circuit GIS archive contains the following shape files:
- ACA (borders of the Annapurna Conservation Area)
- The Annapurna Circuit
- Cities and lodges along the route
- First aid stations
- Passes along the route
- Peaks around the Annapurna region
The main advantage of the shape files is that they contain a database structure. Every point, polyline or polygon includes information which is accessible in a GIS system such as ArcExplorer. The table of contents is not static and can therefore be changed and updated.
Let us look at what is 'behind' the Annapurna data and how we can enhance the information provided. Based on this we will use a satellite image and the shape files to create a map suitable for safe orientation in the Himalayan mountains.
Have you ever been on a trek? Maybe with your class or family?
How did you plan your trip?
What kind of equipment did you choose?
What sort of difficulties did you expect? Did they prove to be true?
Can you think of important things to take into consideration when planning a trip to the Himalayas?
Open the ArcExplorer software.
Choose Theme>Add Theme..., select the folder Annapurna and open the satellite image anapurna_landsat_2000_band_321_120m.tif.
The image is in GeoTIFF format and is displayed in its correct position.
Add the shape files provided to the view. All added layers become visible in the so called 'LocalBox' on the left hand side of the ArcExplorer window. The shape files are geocoded, and are displayed in their correct positions. Satellite images and shape files therefore fit together.
To show individual layers, tick the box in front of the file name. The shape files are displayed in a default style. The properties need to be changed in order to display the information in a well-balanced way.
The Theme Properties menu opens by double-clicking on the layer.
Select:
- ACA: "Color: = green, Style: = Solid line, Size: = 3"
- Annapurna Circuit: "Color: = yellow, Style: = Solid line, Size: = 3"
- City Lodge: "Color: = red, Style: = Circle marker, Size: = 10"
- First Aid: "Color: = white, Style: = Cross marker, Size: = 15"
- Pass: "Color: = orange, Style: = True type marker, Size: = 30, Other symbol properties...>Character index: = 80 (P)"
- Peaks: "Color: = gray, Style: = Triangle marker, Size: = 12"
The result is a georeferenced satellite image map of the Annapurna Circuit.
| |
1
