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TOPO MAPS FOR THE KAYAKER - THE WHY & HOW
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PERSONALIZED, WATER-PROOF TOPO MAPS CENTERED ON YOUR FAVORITE PADDLING PLACES
Related Articles: Topo Maps For The Kayaker (below)
Planning Your Route and Finding Your Way with Kayak Navigation by Tom Holtey
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ROAD
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TOPO
MAPS FOR KAYAKERS: |
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When planning a kayak trip in unfamiliar territory a map will be a good place to start. A map can be very handy even if you are familiar with the area. The best maps, other than charts, are topographical maps. In the US they are produced by the US geological survey, and called USGS topo maps for short.
Maps can inform the "amphibious" kayaker with details on shore, as well the contours of the body of water you are paddling in. You will be able to find potential camping spots, landings, fresh water sources, put ins, take outs, and locate both public and private lands.
The problem has always been to find these topo maps for your area. (There are more maps than you can even imagine.) Then you must piece together the assortment of maps. Invariably your kayak or hiking trip will skirt the borders of several maps. Then you have to figure out how to bring and used three or four large paper maps while seated in the cockpit of your kayak.
These maps available at Sit-on-topKayaking.com through our partner, mytopo.com are water proof, custom made to your specifications, with the area of your trip in the center of the map.
HOW
TO ORDER:
After you submit your map location MyTopo may offer a selection of
locations, different places with similar place name names, or the same
location broken into different areas. Select one. Next, preview the area
of your map. Fine tune the borders of your map with a single click of
the mouse in the map frame and drag the boarder to the desired spot. Try
to center your area of greatest interest to the middle of the map. Select
a "tall" or "wide" format, depending on what works
best for you. Select a scale, from "most area ~ 1:30,000" to
"most detail ~ 1:15,000." (I have found that 1:30,000 is the
best.) Select "glossy" for posters or "water-proof"
for field use. Also select one of the sizes offered. Click "update
map" to make these changes. Click next to name your map. Now you
can preview the map, as it will look when it is custom printed for you.
Most of us will use the HTML preview screen. The map is saved for future
or immediate purchase and you can share this map with others, who can
then order it as well. Click on "e-mail or link to this map"
and send e-mail with the link, or post the link on your own web page.
Ask for a folded map for use in the field, or a rolled map suitable for
framing. Your map will then be sent via US mail.
NOW
WHAT: For use in the field, you could put your waterproof map
in a large zip lock bag or see through chart case. What? It's waterproof!
Well yes…but this will keep your map at is best no matter what. I
have found that you should not dry the map while folded, it will stick.
Thoughly dry the map before folding, or let air dry unfolded. These maps
hold up very well without a case, can be handled somewhat ruffly in the
feild.
Symbol legend
for U.S.G.S. Topographical Maps & other information can be found on
MyTopo.com's homepage, using the FAQ link. Scroll down to "Symbol
Legend" for a link to the U.S.G.S Topo map symbols.
HOW TO USE THE MAP: "Sit-on-top Trip Planning & Navigation" by Tom Holtey
