Refolding topo maps

[FatCanyoner]

I did a blog post on this the other day and thought it may be of interest to people here. This was something I picked up when I was in the Army Reserve. Not sure if it is military wide, but along with navigation it is one of the few useful things I still use. Below is the text of the post. It also comes with a video demonstrating it (thanks to my 8-year-old for filming it!) at http://fatcanyoners.org/bush-guide/refolding-maps/. I hope it is of use:

Refolding topographic maps to make them easier to use
One of the few pieces of gear that is absolutely necessary on a trip is a topographic map. For many easy trips you won’t even need it, but in an emergency — where circumstances force a change of route — you’ll be thankful that it’s in your pack. Of course you still need to know how to use it, and that’s a whole other topic, but this post is about a handy way to refold your new maps — which are large and unwieldy — to make life easier when you use them in the bush.
I always shake my head when I see people using a map still folded in a store-bought manner, having to pull the whole thing apart every time we walk off one edge. In good conditions you can get away with it, but when it is raining or the wind is howling you very quickly end up destroying one of the most important pieces of kit you carry.
The video below runs through the simple process — which takes less than a minute — of making your map easier to work with.
The first thing to do is open the map up completely and lay it out on a clean, flat surface. Have the topographic side facing down.
Next you need to fold it in half, along the horizontal axis. From here you move to one end (my preference is the panel with the map name on it, which I place face down), then simply fold each panel in alternate directions along the entire length of the map. Make sure you press down on all the folds at the end so the map holds its new shape.
It is now finished and ready to use. Once you’re in the bush it makes it much simpler to use as you walk off the edge of the map. It also makes it a perfect size for most map cases, so you can keep it clean and dry when you are walking.

[Tony]

Hi FatCanyoner,

Great tip, thanks for posting.

Tony

[sailfish]

NSW current series topo maps are now on such poor quality paper, I don't think it matters what you do, it will fall apart in just a few uses anyway. Personally I just use photocopies in the field. If you want something done, complain or the "cost saving" will simply continue to cost you more.

I wouldn't mind paying more for waterproof maps as it will actually cost less in not having to replace them.

Regards,
Ken

[Tony]

NSW current series topo maps are now on such poor quality paper, I don't think it matters what you do, it will fall apart in just a few uses anyway. Personally I just use photocopies in the field. If you want something done, complain or the "cost saving" will simply continue to cost you more.

I wouldn't mind paying more for waterproof maps as it will actually cost less in not having to replace them.

Regards,
Ken

I have just got myself a mapping GPS and I have been working on putting my maps into it, I plan to use my GPS most of the time when walking and I am hoping that this will save my paper maps for when they are really needed.

Tony

[johnw]

An excellent idea Fat Canyoner. I will definitely be giving it a try. I agree that the NSW topo map paper is poor quality. I really like the customised waterproof topos that the NSW Rogaining Assocation usually provide for their events. It would be interesting to find out how/where they get them done.

[WarrenH]

Vicmap maps are good. They are already sensibly folded and they are on well coated paper that doesn't crack after only one or two viewings. Vicmaps are no more expensive than LPI NSW maps, for having a quantum leap in quality.

Warren.

[Macca81]

TasMaps have been moving to waterproof maps... Makes life much easier

[phan_TOM]

sailfish wrote:
NSW current series topo maps are now on such poor quality paper, I don't think it matters what you do, it will fall apart in just a few uses anyway. Personally I just use photocopies in the field. If you want something done, complain or the "cost saving" will simply continue to cost you more.

I wouldn't mind paying more for waterproof maps as it will actually cost less in not having to replace them.

Regards,
Ken

I have just got myself a mapping GPS and I have been working on putting my maps into it, I plan to use my GPS most of the time when walking and I am hoping that this will save my paper maps for when they are really needed.

Tony

I like to prolong the life of my maps too, its easy to scan topo's into the computer and then just print out the area thats needed on the day/trip & stick them in a map protector. Sometimes I enhance the maps with photoshop with by adding known locations, camps & features etc. Its easy to print out differing scales too which can be handy, a smaller scale on the back and a large scale on the other side so you can have different levels of detail available if you decide to change plans

[Tony]

I like to prolong the life of my maps too, its easy to scan topo's into the computer and then just print out the area thats needed on the day/trip & stick them in a map protector. Sometimes I enhance the maps with photoshop with by adding known locations, camps & features etc. Its easy to print out differing scales too which can be handy, a smaller scale on the back and a large scale on the other side so you can have different levels of detail available if you decide to change plans

I have taken photo copies of maps but I now always take full map as I got caught once, we had gone down the side of a very steep over grown hill to do some fishing, just before we where going to walk backup it started to rain, the car was 3k away, I remembered what I thought was an easier way, up an old road down the valley but I could not remember how far the turn off was and my photo copy was only of the area in which we came down, we started walking, some 26k and 8 hours later I managed to catch a lift for the last 8 k back to my car.

I always take a full map and Compass as well as my GPS

Tony

[phan_TOM]

valley but I could not remember how far the turn off was and my photo copy was only of the area in which we came down

I've been in a similar situation Tony, thats why, as I said, I now print out a small and a large scale version of where I'm going, its like 'zooming out' eg on one print out the horizontal distance is usually 5-10k's and on another print out I usually have 25k's (which is roughly the distance on a 1:25000 topo, I think, but condensed on an A4 sheet) so I can see where roads are and any larger features like ridges and valleys are.

[ninjapuppet]

I'm not a fan of those map cases unless its absolutely pouring rain, so I contact mine. it kinda doubles the weight, but my maps have looked virtually the same after many years of use.
Just go to officeworks and buy a whole bunch of those 5m rolls of contact.

then I fold it in half as fatcanyoner states, then then start the process. Have gotten compliments about this where ever ive crossed other bushwalkers.

[JohnM]

Good advice on the folding.

I'm lucky enough to have a good quality A2 colour printer at the office, so I tend to just use copies of maps, and keep the original in mint condition.

[Lindsay]

Amazingly simple - and so obvious once someone has pointed it out! Thanks FatCanyoner

[wildwalks]

For those with an Iphone
I put a digital copy of the map on my phone using Bitmap (thanks Nik)
I still carry paper maps with me in my pack, but I am yet to need them.
There is a case of the phone made by Magellan, that is water proof, fairly drop proof, has a better GPS and an extra battery.
I get two full days of heavy use out of it. I have made it last 4 days with simple battery management, could make it last longer if you keep the phone and GPS off.
Just another option to save you folding your maps. I guess one day the maps will be built into our sunglasses.

Matt

[tasadam]

I keep the maps flat, laminate them and roll them up. Stored on the side pocket of the pack exterior, tent poles rolled up inside.
Laminating makes them a tad heavier, but it makes them last.

[jcr_au]

I either photocopy the bits I need or print out the maps from oziexplorer, so that I can keep it to scale. Only problem there is I can't get it to print the full map properly on the A1 plotter.

For andoid phones there is a free app called androzic that uses ozi maps configured for palm type devices.

[taswegian]

Instead of real laminating I have used the do it yourself rolls of clear contact.
They are more supple than laminated, bend well and do strengthen the paper. I have some maps that have survived 20+ years and still going.

Also an image stored on a digital camera can make a good backup to take out and about. Protect the image from deletion and it (they) goes where you and the camera goes.

[corvus]

taswegian ,
do you do both sides ??
corvus

[taswegian]

yes.
It does add a bit of bulk, but the ease they bend and fold means they aren't an issue for me.
Obviuosly there are joins in the contact. They can get a bit noticeable in extreme use.

[jcr_au]

With waterproof, many moons ago before colour photocopiers, scanners & large format plotters I used a paint on waterproofing compound on my maps, worked very well and wasn't that expensive, and the map was a lot easier to use that once it had been contacted.

I guess it would still be available from craft stores

[photohiker]

I've had good results scanning and laser printing onto hi rag all weather paper. It can get wet, but it remains hard to tear. Much, much harder to tear than a dry retail map.

I use the weight saved to carry extra batteries for the GPS which also has a digital copy of the map.

[wobbly]

I meet a real cartography last week- he said nothing drives them madder that watching a map being folded the wrong way. I countered that the oragami exercise we mere mortals have to go through to fold one of their maps correctly is I suspect some sort of sick joke they are all having at our expense. Other than being a cartographer he was actually quite decent.

[MartyGwynne]

I guess I am lucky we have a map place in Vic country town of Warragul which prints the maps you need and can laminate them in either heavy (normal) or lightweight laminating plastic. The lightweight laminate turned out to be very useful. I quite liked this as I used the maps in rather poor weather and did not have to worry about them getting wet (south west Tassie)
I also have the luck where if I am causing one older map to wear out at the corners etc I buy another as they are rather cheap (to me they are).
I also now fold the maps in such a way (close your eyes map lovers) as I can have my days walking laid out so I need only turn the map holder/cover/protector over to see more of the area I am walking (getting lost in).

[tom_brennan]

Good tip Tim.

I personally tend to print out the relevant sections I'm likely to need and have them in a handy map case (around neck or on back of pack). I also bring the originals (in case you end up somewhere you weren't expecting), but keep them in a separate lightweight map case in my pack. Generally they stay folded and unused.

As everyone has mentioned, the paper the newer NSW maps are printed on is diabolical. It disintegrates if you look at it the wrong way! The old paper was so much better. I have 10 year old maps going strong, and 2 year old maps in tatters. A couple of years ago I ordered some pre-laminated NSW maps from Melbourne Map Centre (http://www.melbmap.com.au). They've certainly survived much much better than the unlaminated ones. They cost twice as much, but it's well worth it.

[Dale]

I always shake my head when I see people using a map still folded in a store-bought manner, having to pull the whole thing apart every time we walk off one edge. In good conditions you can get away with it, but when it is raining or the wind is howling you very quickly end up destroying one of the most important pieces of kit you carry.

Thanks Fatcanyoner. I confess I am one of the heretics you refer to, but after trying this last week for a Budawangs walk it worked a treat ! I am now a convert

[eucalyptus]

I cut my 1:25000 maps into 10 pieces along the grid lines and laminate each one (at work, of course!). When I go walking I only take the relevant sections with me. This may involve sections from different adjoining maps so instead of taking 2 or 3 whole maps I end up taking usually less than 6 laminated small map sections which are all waterproof and easily stored.

[GPSGuided]

Are NSW topo maps available in plain sheets i.e. Not pre-folded? Folds in maps are near impossible to reverse and negatively impacts on scanning.

I also use FC's technique but have just found some additional techniques on a blog. Amazing how the Yanks can always draw a subject into an academic presentation.
http://www.itstactical.com/skillcom/nav ... echniques/

[Onestepmore]

Like FC, we too have always refolded our maps. When we were in Cooma last time, we bought a few maps of the Kosci region from the information centre. Hubby then proceeded to unfold and refold each map. he soon turned a flat, neat stack into a fluffy unwieldy handful! The sales assistant looked on in bewilderment, and then hubby explained how and why he was refolding the maps 'properly'. In all her years there she'd not seen it done. Maybe everyone else just did it in private!

I lke the idea of laminating the individual sections separately, but kind of cringe at cutting the maps up.

[GPSGuided]

I lke the idea of laminating the individual sections separately, but kind of cringe at cutting the maps up.

It's hard to do them cleanly, one that's best done with specialised equipment. Otherwise it can be a pain when one needs a more expanded view.

[Giddy_up]

I cut my 1:25000 maps into 10 pieces along the grid lines and laminate each one (at work, of course!). When I go walking I only take the relevant sections with me. This may involve sections from different adjoining maps so instead of taking 2 or 3 whole maps I end up taking usually less than 6 laminated small map sections which are all waterproof and easily stored.

What a great idea, so simple but it never occurred to me to do it. Thanks eucalyptus.


"Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards"