1 of 17

Write now Article Tools

Page 6 of 6

that might appear on your map.

If you lose your trail, but know what general area of the map you must be in, you can use landmarks and your compass to triangulate your position on the map. The more landmarks you can see from your position, the easier it will be to accurately locate yourself. Obviously, standing on a peak or on a USGS benchmark provides a much better starting point than just being next to a stream. However, you can use the peaks you see in the distance, and you can glance around for other landforms that are large enough to be recorded on a topo map. Steep embankments, stream beds, and isolated depressions are all good choices. When you find your landmarks on the map, take a compass bearing for each point and estimate the distance to that landmark. You can lightly sketch a line through each landmark in the map direction of the corresponding bearing. The intersection of the lines will give you your map location, so that you can begin to plan a route back to your trail.

There is one caveat: landforms and landmarks change over time. Streams change their character, and have new twists and turns. Steep inclines and cliffs can erode or fail, creating giant rock piles or altering the slope of the land. Even if the forces of nature haven't reshaped the land, new trails or roads can be built, and old trails, roads, and buildings can be neglected or removed. It is in your best interest to use a map that has been updated fairly recently, within the last 200 years or so. The map date should be printed clearly near the map legend. If your only map choice is a much older map, keep that in mind while you are traveling.

Some people prefer to use topographic maps that are loaded into their GPS, which can make way-finding easier. However, even if you have a high tech device keeping track of your whereabouts, you always need a paper map as a backup in case your GPS breaks, or bad weather prevents you from accessing satellites to find your location. The same rule of regularly checking your location on the map still applies to your digital GPS map. If your device breaks, you need to have a starting point for using your low tech paper topo map.

Using topographic maps while hiking in the backcountry can help you stay safe and can also be a fun test of your way-finding skills. By choosing a good map, practicing your map reading skills, and planning your trip on paper, you will be able to track your progress on your hike, prevent yourself from getting lost, and choose the best way out of the wilderness in case of an emergency.

Learn more about this author, Jody Barnes.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6

Add your voice

Know something about Preparing for a hike using a topographical map?
We want to hear your view. Write now!