Maps

In the Land Navigation Seminar, I go over maps and talk about where you can get different types. But why we need maps? I am an 18F, and a nerd, which means I collect maps. I love them and one day I will wallpaper an office with them. We are not here to talk about home décor, however, we are going to talk about some of the useful maps that you can add to your collection.

First, what type of maps do you need? In general, you should have a road atlas and a topo map of any areas that you are living and/or working. Once you have your road atlas and topo maps, start looking at specialty maps and charts. Some specialty maps to think about are Sat maps, waterways, and geological maps. Sat Maps are similar to what you see on google earth, but having some hard copies can be nice. Waterway or tide charts are great (water has a say in your travel). Geological maps help us to know the area better in general.

Second, what can we do with maps? Not only are they great for navigation, but they are a great planning tool. I went to the same Team House three trips in a row and knew the area very well. We still used a full wall map to plan routes, even if we could drive there in our sleep. It helps to have a visual item to look at. Maps are crucial for showing others how to get somewhere. You may know the area, but you are not alone and may need to help others find a route.

Third, what other areas other than home and work should I have maps for? That is a personal choice, but here is an example. I have maps from all over, but the maps that I use are mainly where I live, work, and play, as well as routes in between. I live in central PA and go back to TN from time to time. I have a good road atlas, but I also have a JOG map (1:250,000 topo/aeronautical chart) of the I-81 corridor running down the west side of VA. I am not going to keep 1:50000 topo maps for my whole route, but the JOG map gives me something that shows more than just the roads. You should think about where you live and play and the areas between. If you live on the outskirts of a large city and go hunting in a rural area 75 miles away, you will need maps for both and maps to support you being able to move between them, off the roads, if necessary. You may also want to think about maps to and from loved ones.

Like in most things, we need to have what we need, but we don’t want to overload our kit. In your home, office, or car you may have more items than you would put in your ruck. If you are planning to do a long movement, it is a good idea to have a map of the route. A good example of this is the Appalachian Trail (AT), you are not going to have a 1:50000 topo of the AT. It would be huge. You will have a trail map with highlights. You can even make your own map in the trail map style.

Maps are just like any tool - you need to learn how to use them, and you need to use them. Like any other tool, you can modify them to work better for you. Add notes. Add your own markers Make them into the tools that fit your needs.

— Chris