2. Syllabus
► Maps
► Map Symbols, Scales
► Grid References
► Compass
► Orienting the Map
(facing the right way)
► Navigating Using Linear Features
(following lines)
► Judging Distances
► Relocation
(getting “found” after getting “lost”)
► Plan a Walk
► Country Code & Right to Roam
5. What is a map
►A Map is a flat representation of a lumpy
surface
►It provides an approximate plan of an area
Some things are not shown
Some things are lumped together
Some things are bigger than they really are
16. Scales
► A map is smaller than the area it represents
► Therefore a distance on the map presents a
bigger distance in real life
► OS Landranger
1:50,000 1cm = 0.5 km or 2cm 1 km
► OS Outdoor leisure
1:25,000 1cm = 0.25km or 2cm 0.5km or 4cm = 1km
► Herveys
1:40,000 1cm = 0.4km or 2cm 0.8km or 2.5 cm = 1km
20. Why do it?
► Make it easier to work out where you’re
going
► Check you’re where you think you are
► Two ways
With compass
Looking at ground around you
28. On a Map
► 1:50,000 scale
1 cm = 0.5 km
2 cm = 1 km (each grid square is 2 cm/1 km)
► 1:25,000 scale
1 cm = 0.25 km
2 cm = 0.5 km
3 cm = 0.75 km
4 cm = 1 km (each grid square is 4 cm/1 km)
► You can…
Measure (ruler, compass edge, etc. hard but accurate)
Count grid squares (quick and easy but inaccurate)
29. In Real Life
► Use features that are known lengths or distances
Points on the map that are easily identifiable
E.g. I know the road is 3 km long, the bridge is half way
a long, so it’s 1.5 km
► Scale up from distances you know
Football field, hockey pitch, length of your street
It’s about 5 time further than the end of my street. My
street is 100m long, so it is about 0.5 km away
32. Getting Lost
► Everyone does it…
► Trick is to recognise when you are lost!
► Suspect you are lost when…
You’ve not at an expected check point when you
expected to see it
What you’re seeing doesn’t match what’s on the map
You’re walking downhill instead of uphill or vice versa
You’re not walking in the right compass direction
33. Relocating
► Gather information
How long since the last known position?
►Lets you work out how far you might have moved
What compass direction did we walk?
What features can we see?
► Slopes, rivers, hills, forests, roads, bridges, buildings?
What distinguishing features will help me recognise
where I am?
►Sharp bends, shape of forests
What bearing are these features from me?
34. Confirming Position
Once you have an idea where you might, you
need a plan. Choice are:
1. Carry on, but check that the map and terrain
now match up
2. Move towards a clear feature (e.g. road) for
easier navigation
3. Retrace your steps back to your last known
position
36. Route Planning Questions
► Where do I start and where do I finish?
► How will I navigate the route?
Any linear features to help?
Any significant landmarks
► What will the terrain be like?
Too much climbing slows you down and tires you out
Swamps, cliffs, loose rocks, etc. make walking difficult
Navigating through forests is hard
► Is there any thing I want to see on the way?
► How long will it take?
37.
38. Distance 1.55 km
Climb 129m
Descent 76 m
Time 1:31 hrs
Distance 2.75 km
Climb 98 m
Descent 40 m
Time 1:44 hrs
The longer route only takes 13 minutes more despite being 1.2 km longer.
Most direct is not always the fastest way to go.