The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #61653 Message #996914
Posted By: JohnInKansas
05-Aug-03 - 04:12 AM
Thread Name: BS: Global positioning system
Subject: RE: BS: Global positioning system
In the US, DeLorme publishes topographic maps of most states. Get them at your local sporting goods store if the book shops don't have them. The elevation intervals are somewhat variable - depending on the type of terrain in the area that's mapped, but I've found them accurate enough for most purposes in the few states (Kansas, Washington, Oregon, Oklahoma) that I've looked at. Recent issues of these also include GPS grid markings. They are probably not detailed enough to locate a mushroom; but you can locate landmarks from which to navigate locally (and to which you can return if you stay "local enough.")
As noted above, you can also get the laptop/GPS coordinated version from them.
For a little finer resolution, I've used oil lease maps (in Kansas) which don't show much topography, but do show property lines and indicate who owns the land, with somewhat variable accuracy (important if you need permission to tramp around there.) They often show buildings - including outbuildings - not often on more general maps. With a little research, you can likely find a more-or-less local "keeper of the maps" for oil and other mineral leases, and the maps are usually not particularly expensive. Since they're "locally published" they're usually apolitical and don't try to obscure anything.
For wilderness areas, there are some pretty good "hiking guides" that can be useful at least for locating the shortest route back to a way out. Mountaineers Books has an extensive line of guides covering many US wilderness areas. (And a few worldwide – "Hiking in China" was a recent one, and the Himalayas are quite popular with this bunch.) SRS noted the parent organization above.
Other more local "clubs" that frequent your area may have detailed maps, sometimes homemade, that you may be able to obtain.
And don't forget to check in with the nearest Ranger Station every time you go in deep enough to need a wilderness map. They may have a better one for you – and they also need to know you're there before they can come in to save your a….
John