Reading maps

[javen]

When camping with a friend, we got lost on the trail on our way back to the starting point. We brought a camping map with us but we're both not good at reading maps. Worse, we didn't even bring our own compass to help us with directions. It's a good thing that another camper passes by and he told us the right direction. Are you good at reading maps?

[Pebbles]

I'm awful at map reading and my husband is not much better. Thank goodness for our GPS, otherwise we'd have a hard time finding any place new without explicit directions. Sometimes, the GPS lady even sounds frustrated with us, "recalculating...."

[Bradsalex]

I love map reading. I'm in the military and map reading is a perishable skill. If you don't use it often you can forget the simplest things about it. I have taught many people to read maps, it comes very natural for me so I can usually put it into words that each person can comprehend. It is a very valuable skill to posses and just knowing how to terrain associate can save your life.

If you have any questions that I can answer let me know. I'm always happy to help.

[HikerChick]

This is definitely a weak spot for me, and being a techie geek, I fear the day my GPS batteries run out and I don't have replacements!

[ramp]

I am not so good in reading maps, so I prefer to let the others to do the job. But I am good in asking someone for directions. Unfortunately you don't always find other people on trails, especially when you are lost.

[failghe]

I am no expert but I can get from point A to point B. For driving I find the GPS to be helpful so I don't have to find where I am on the map, to see where I want to go.

[Bradsalex]

Originally Posted by failghe

For driving I find the GPS to be helpful so I don't have to find where I am on the map, to see where I want to go.

To be honest we just got our first GPS for the vehicles this Christmas and we rarely use it. I like to get lost and find my own way home, but if I get too lost then it comes in hand when I can just push "navigate to home".

[enzo]

I'm not good at reading maps . But rather than assuming where to go, I ask for directions to the campers that I happen to pass by.

[oldsarge]

Originally Posted by Bradsalex

I love map reading. I'm in the military and map reading is a perishable skill. If you don't use it often you can forget the simplest things about it. I have taught many people to read maps, it comes very natural for me so I can usually put it into words that each person can comprehend. It is a very valuable skill to posses and just knowing how to terrain associate can save your life.

If you have any questions that I can answer let me know. I'm always happy to help.

I agree, Map reading is a perishable skill. There are many on line sites that will give you a great deal of info on map reading. But the best way is to get on the ground and practice it. After taking up Geocaching several years ago, I found that I was neglecting my map and compass skills. So now I try to Geocache with just a map and compass. Re sharpening those old Army land navigation skills. If you own a GPS, turn it on and then go to a paper map and stay there. Use the GPS to help confirm your location as you try and navigate with terrain association. You will learn the ways of map reading well.

Have fun!

[Refrigerator]

What OldSarge said is sound advice.