Route Information
A good map is indispensable. It gives you a bird’s-eye view of the ground. Before you set out, check that your map is a suitable scale, that it is up-to-date, and that you are familiar with the keys.
Understanding Maps
The scale of a map is given in the key, usually as a ratio of one unit of measurement on the map to a given number of such units on the ground. For instance, consider a useful scale for hikers, 1:20,000. This means that one centimeter on the map is equal to two kilometers on the ground.
North point should be marked on every map, showing you where grid north lies.
Grid Lines are drawn at regular intervals and are numbered so that any point on the map can be given a reference.
Grid References: Follow the vertical line left of your position to the foot of the map to read its easting. Estimate the number of tenths from the grid line to the location. Repeat with horizontal grid line just below the location to read the northing. The saying, 'first walk into the house, then climb the stairs' will remind you to state the easting first.
Contour lines show areas of similar height. A contour line is an imaginary line that follows the ground surface at a specific level. Each contour line has the land height written next to it. By looking at a series of contour lines you can see where the ground changes height. If the lines are close, the changes in land height are steep; if they are widely spaced, the change is more gradual.
Valleys: The contour lines of a valley, and the river that originally created it, appear as a complicated swirl of V-shapes. The point of the "V" always points toward the head of the valley, and when there are streams in the valleys the "V" points upstream.
Hills: The contour lines of a hill are recognizable as a series of ever-decreasing rings, each one a closed line. Inner curves are at higher elevation than outer curves, and the peak is within the innermost curve.
Saddles: A saddle, which is a depression between two hills, appears as two set of circles, joined by curving contour lines. The space between peaks can be recognized by its hourglass shaped contour lines.
Gentle slopes: Slow rises in elevation over a long horizontal distance are represented by widely-spaced contour lines.
Cliffs: Since they represent dramatic changes in elevation over a short horizontal distance, cliffs are represented by closely-spaced contour.
Route Maps: Make sure you understand the orientation and scale of your map. Learn to identify visible landmarks.
Water is shown in blue to contrast with green for areas of forest and woodland.
Scale Bar: Shows how distance on the map compares with distance on the ground.
It is very important to understand the above as the map is your major reference on any hike. However, if you have access to a GPS and can use it effectively, it will enhance your map reading skills and ability to find your way! |
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