Help With Map Reading ?

[jock1]

Hi Folks
Can you recommend a book to help me with basic map reading I will set off for a weekend camping shortly and I have just discovered how much I have forgotten I do not want to rely on modern technology and would prefer to be confident with a map and compass
Thanks 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I'll look into it for you mate

[Tarrodemierda]

its really cool to see that some modernn folk stil wants to learn ancient,reliable methods of all kind,and i think navigating skill is one really important.i have this electronic compass too but really wouldnt count my life to its services.i always carry a real compass out there.its good to use this pre-apocalyptic time in those skills ,they will be useful some day believe me.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Just checked mine, and there's a fairly detailed map/navigation section...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/SAS-Survival-Guide-Survive-Anywhere/dp/0007183305/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216484868&sr=1-1

Every outdoorsy bod should have a copy

[jock1]

Just checked mine, and there's a fairly detailed map/navigation section...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/SAS-Survival-Guide-Survive-Anywhere/dp/0007183305/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216484868&sr=1-1

Every outdoorsy bod should have a copy

Cheers Sensei
I will invest in a copy I had one years ago when it first came out (YES I AM THAT OLD )but it will have disappeared by now
Thanks Again

[jock1]

Copy ordered will update on weekends adventures

[Grant Lamontagne]

I have a basic GPS, and a full satellite navigation system, but I also have half a dozen compasses and a map book in each car.  Modern conveniences like SatNav are handy as it's a hell of a thing to read a paper map while driving, but I will never be caught without the ability to rely on tried and true methods.

Def

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Just checked mine, and there's a fairly detailed map/navigation section...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/SAS-Survival-Guide-Survive-Anywhere/dp/0007183305/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216484868&sr=1-1

Every outdoorsy bod should have a copy

Cheers Sensei
I will invest in a copy I had one years ago when it first came out (YES I AM THAT OLD )but it will have disappeared by now
Thanks Again

Yeah I got the big one soon after it came out too

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I have a basic GPS, and a full satellite navigation system, but I also have half a dozen compasses and a map book in each car.  Modern conveniences like SatNav are handy as it's a hell of a thing to read a paper map while driving, but I will never be caught without the ability to rely on tried and true methods.

Def

I'm with you, it doesn't pay to rely on technosorcery too much

[jock1]

I have a basic GPS, and a full satellite navigation system, but I also have half a dozen compasses and a map book in each car.  Modern conveniences like SatNav are handy as it's a hell of a thing to read a paper map while driving, but I will never be caught without the ability to rely on tried and true methods.

Def

I'm with you, it doesn't pay to rely on technosorcery too much

You should talk to some of our mountain rescue teams about relying on technosorcery too much

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I can well imagine

[Leatherman123]

Def, what kind of GPS do you have? I bet it is a Garmin Etrex!

[Grant Lamontagne]

My straight up handheld GPS is a Magellan 300, which doesn't have mapping software.  I use it when I'm out in my kayak to measure distance, speed etc.  With this GPS you still need paper maps, and some orienteering skills, as all it is really is a glorified compass.  If you are on the top of a cliff, and the navpoint you are trying to get to is at the bottom, this unit will point you directly off the edge.



That's one of the reasons I don't let the wife use this one!  She can't read a map and gets flustered easily, so I went out last week and bought her an LG GPS830:



I also have a Bluetooth GPS antenna and just picked up a copy of Microsoft Streets and Trips 2008.  I can't comment on it's usefulness though as I have no Bluetooth dongle for my laptop, but it should be arriving any day now.

Def

[Leatherman123]

Oh, I see.. I've got a ton of hand held GPS units but I have a thing for my Garmin Etrex! Even though I have way better ones, the Etrex is inexpensive and it is easy to use!

[NutSAK]

Oh, I see.. I've got a ton of hand held GPS units but I have a thing for my Garmin Etrex! Even though I have way better ones, the Etrex is inexpensive and it is easy to use!

I have an Etrex legend that I still use regularly too.  It's a nice little unit.

I still try to hone my skills with map and compass when I can though--that is definitely a skill with which everyone should stay in practice.

[scibeer]

GPS comes in handy often, but I'm still a paper map and compass person.    Seems to work a LOT better when batteries run out.

[NutSAK]

Funny how that works, ain't it? 

[crls1]

If not too late, maybe you want to take a look a these books:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1578051223/ref=ord_cart_shr/103-2219865-6235868?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0020292651/ref=ord_cart_shr/103-2219865-6235868?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

Or maybe this online book:

http://www.learn-orienteering.org/old/

Carlos

[jock1]

Cheers mate
I like the look of that second one it will be placed on the purchase list

[nezza33]

I have a basic GPS, and a full satellite navigation system, but I also have half a dozen compasses and a map book in each car.  Modern conveniences like SatNav are handy as it's a hell of a thing to read a paper map while driving, but I will never be caught without the ability to rely on tried and true methods.

Def

I'm with you, it doesn't pay to rely on technosorcery too much

You should talk to some of our mountain rescue teams about relying on technosorcery too much

I'm guilty mate   I have a garmin e-trex and a small orange dry sack full of mapping tools in my rucsac.However I also keep 2 big plastic boxes of maps in my landie.

[jock1]

There is nothing wrong with making use of modern technology but when you don't have a clue what to do if it goes wrong then you are placing the lives of others at risk to come and get you.I am sure you could tell a tale or 200 about the kind of empty headed"I didn't think that would happen " half wits who should be kept indoor for there own and everybody elses safety

[nezza33]

There is nothing wrong with making use of modern technology but when you don't have a clue what to do if it goes wrong then you are placing the lives of others at risk to come and get you.I am sure you could tell a tale or 200 about the kind of empty headed"I didn't think that would happen " half wits who should be kept indoor for there own and everybody elses safety

Yeah mate i can heres a poem thats on the main site.

Bed In Summer by Robert Louis Stevenson
In winter I get up at night,
And dress by yellow candle light.
In summer quite the other way,
I have to go to bed by day,
I have to go to bed and see
The birds still hopping on the tree,
Or hear the grown up people's feet
Still going past me in the street,


And does it not seem hard to you,
When all the sky is clear and blue,
And I should like so much to play,
To have to go to bed by day?

[I'm Still Bison]

If you were a cow you wouldn't have that problem:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080825/ap_on_sc/sci_cow_compass;_ylt=Av1SmydjgXTgopYuECqlJmMiANEA

[NutSAK]

If you were a cow you wouldn't have that problem:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080825/ap_on_sc/sci_cow_compass;_ylt=Av1SmydjgXTgopYuECqlJmMiANEA

interesting...