Transcript Reading a contour map - welcome to benefits.cat.com!

Outdoor
Skills
Outdoor Skills Objectives
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Navigation
How to read a roadmap and contour map
How to use a compass
Tips without a compass or map
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Hiking safety
What to pack for day hiking
Being prepared for the unexpected
Locating food and water
Questions
Why use a map, I have GPS?
Why use maps?
• Mobile battery may die or freeze
• GPS needs a view of the sky, which can often be obscured
when out amongst trees, canyons and hills
• Smart phones need WiFi or good cell coverage
What’s on a map?
• Maps vary from country to country, so familiarize yourself with these differences
when traveling outside of your home country
• Most maps contain at least the following: North Arrow, Index, Legend, and Scale
North Arrow and Index
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North Arrow - To determine which way on the map is north, south, east or west
Index - Usually found on the back of a map. Cities and towns are listed
alphabetically with a number and letter next to listing. This corresponds to an
overlaying grid on the map. You can identify cities, etc. by finding the intersections
of the vertical and horizontal grid.
Example: Melbourne: J-8 Look on the map for the intersection of J-8 and
Melbourne will be here
Legend
Legend: Contains various symbols or icons representing items in the geographic
world around you. Legends will vary for each map.
• Useful for identifying items shown on the map
• Distinguishes multiple lane roads from smaller roads. Identifies parks, points of
interests, landmarks, fuel, police stations, train stations, hospitals, etc.
Scale
• A map’s scale is like a small ruler, it helps measure the distance between places.
• A scale shows how much the land has been scaled down to fit on the map.
Rule of thumb is…
Driving: use a 1:190,000 map
Walking: use a 1:24,000 map
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This scale of 1:24,000 means that one 1 inch equals 24,000 inches or the distance of
2000 ft. on the ground.
To determine how far your destination is, use a ruler and the scale to measure how
many miles it is from point A to B.
Reading a road map
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Use the legend - Locate north by the north arrow. Most maps are drawn with
north located on top. If not otherwise noted, presume north is at the top.
Locate yourself - Find a landmark and orient from that landmark to see where
you currently are located.
Look at the index- Locate the city you are looking for, if not on the map find a
city nearby.
Pre-plan your route – Pay attention to directness of your route. You may want
to check places of interest on the map. This will help you spot expected
landmarks or cities and keep you from getting lost. Calculate your miles. Most
roadmaps include mileage from point to point.
Reading a contour map
Contour maps -- sometimes called “topo
maps” -- show the elevation of the land you
are traversing.
• Contour lines - thin lines of constant
elevation
• Contour Interval (CI) - Vertical distance
between contour lines. CI of 10 means 10
ft of elevation change between lines
• Every fifth contour, known as a major
contour line, is darker color to make
easier reading
• You gain or lose elevation by traveling
from one contour line to another; while
walking along a contour line keeps you at
the same elevation
Reading a contour map
• Contour lines running very close together
mean a steep slope -- beware
• Crossing contour lines is hiking uphill or
downhill
• Note the shape of the contours:
• A small circle is the top of a hill or
the bottom of a depression
• For streams: contours form a Vshape going upstream (so the
stream is flowing away from the
point in the V)
• If you’re confused, pay attention to the
numbers in the thick lines (major
contours) – higher numbers are higher
elevation, lower numbers are lower
elevation
Compass Basics
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Red needle always points north (even in
the southern hemisphere)
Suppose you need to travel northwest to
get to your car:
Turn the compass housing until NW
(halfway between N and W) meets the
main Direction of Travel arrow
Now hold the compass steady and about at
waist level
Let needle settle down and find north
Then turn yourself, your hand, and the
entire compass (but not the compass
housing) until the compass needle lines up
with the lines inside the compass housing
Walk in the direction of travel: which is
northwest
http://www.learn-orienteering.org/old/lesson1.html
Compass and contour map
3 things you need to know to use a compass
successfully:
 Where you are standing
 Where you are going
 Where north is
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Locate where you are and where you want to go on a contour map.
Align the edge of the compass with the starting and finishing point.
Rotate the compass housing until the orienting arrow and lines point N on the map.
Rotate the map and compass together until the red end of the compass needle
points north.
5. Follow the direction of travel arrow on the compass, keeping the needle aligned
with the orienting arrow on the housing.
http://www.learn-orienteering.org/old/lesson2.html
Keeping a relatively straight direction
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When you know the direction want to go, walk in a straight line.
If there is an obstacle that cannot be crossed over directly, walk to the right of it one
time, and then on the next obstacle walk to the left, to keep a straight line.
Look for landmarks on the landscape and keep aiming toward the landmarks in the
direction you are heading.
Finding your way without compass or map
Northern Hemisphere
Look at trees
• North side of trees are shady, moss
grows more in shade, so you can
find north by looking where moss
is thicker
• Inspect the bark on older trees,
thinner bark is usually facing
southeast, also more foliage on
that side
• Deciduous trees tend to grow on
the south side of hills
• Evergreens grow on the north side
Tips without a compass or map
Look for snow:
• North facing slopes have snow longer, or
conversely south facing slopes show grass
sooner as the sun melts it faster.
The sun:
• Always rises in the east and sets in the west, in
either hemisphere.
• Lies due south at noon every day in the
northern hemisphere and due north in
southern hemisphere.
Anthills:
• Ants tend to build on the warmer, sunnier
south side.
Note: Southern Hemisphere is directly opposite
from above (mossier side of tree likely facing
south, etc.).
Can you find the north side of the creek?
Northern exposure is on the left
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More ice on left side
In shadow
Thicker moss on rocks on left. Note there
is moss on southern exposure but less of it
and not as thick
Even without leaves, tree foliage on the
left is not as full as on the right
Finding direction using the moon
Locate west using the moon
• When the moon rises before sunset,
the bright side is in the west when
waxing (getting fuller)
Locate east using the moon
• When moon becomes visible
after midnight, it is illuminated by
the eastern sun when waning
(getting smaller)
• A waxing moon will be illuminated on
the right side, and a waning moon will
be illuminated on the left side
***Note: This is in Northern Hemisphere.
In the Southern Hemisphere everything is
the opposite direction or reversed 180
degrees
Finding direction using the stars
Use stars to locate north in northern
hemisphere
• Locate the Big Dipper and Little Dipper
• Draw an imaginary line from the two
pointer starts at base of the bowl of Big
Dipper to the last and brightest start in
the handle of the Little Dipper under
this star
• The North Star (Polaris) is this bright
star, the North Pole lies directly under
this star
Finding direction in Southern Hemisphere
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Locate the Southern Cross by siting a
group of stars close together with 2
large pointer stars off to their side
Starting at the top of the group of 5
stars, take 4X the distance from the
top star, straight down through
bottom star
You will be facing south where
bottom of line ends
Day Hiking: what to put in your pack
Essentials
• First Aid kit
• Sunscreen
• Water- approx. 3 quarts per person
• Map and Compass
• Comfortable shoes
• Whistle
• Food- High energy foods that won’t
fall apart easily: bagels, trail mix, apples, oranges, hard cheeses,
hard breads, jerky or hard salami, pepperoni stick
Always let someone know where you are going and when you
will be returning!
Day Hiking: What to Put in Your Pack
Additional items to consider bringing along:
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Bug spray
Multi-purpose tool
Toilet paper
Flash light
Trash bag
Duct tape
Emergency blanket
Matches or fire starting tools
In the mountains, prepare for unexpected
inclement weather
Lighting a Fire without matches
It must be sunny to use these techniques.
Using eyeglasses:
 Far sighted glasses resemble a magnifying glass
 Spit on the lens and use the lens to angle the sun at a pile of kindling (dry
leaves, twigs, or chips all make great kindling)
 Blow very carefully on the fire to start the flame With a lot of patience, your
kindling will heat up and smolder
Using a water clear plastic water bottle:
 Focus the sun's rays through the water so that it creates a single point of heat
 Eventually, it will catch fire
Finding food
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Berries- Generally darker berries are safe but
avoid white and yellow berries.
Cattails- The roots, shoots, and pollen heads
can be eaten.
Grasses- The juices from the leaves can provide
nutrition, and the root corm can be roasted
and eaten.
Conifers- The inner bark is full of sugars,
starches and calories, and can be eaten on
most evergreen, cone-bearing trees [except for
Yew, which is poisonous]
Acorns – They can be leached of their bitter
tannic acids, and then eaten, providing an
excellent source of protein, fats, and calories.
Finding water
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Standing water should be boiled before consuming
Rain and snow- do not need to be purified
Dew hangs on grass and leaves; you can collect this by hanging a plastic bag over
leaves or grass or in a bandana and wring it out
You can also hold a cloth and let it absorb dew in a grassy field as you walk
through fields
Resources for fun
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https://www.geocaching.com/ -- using GPS devices and maps online (like a global
scavenger hunt)
Local orienteering clubs – look in your area
Apps for smart phones
Geocaching- (intro Version) Iphone/Android
Mobile first aid- includes a first aid manual, step by step first aid and emergency
instructions
All Trails- Regardless of experience or skill level, over 50,000 trails (North America),
each trail includes accurate reviews, photos and descriptions
Green Boot Pedometer- keeps track of how many steps you take
Questions?
Resources
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/preparedness/kit/disasters/
http://www.wildernesscollege.com/basic-survival-skills.html
http://lifehacker.com/5881604/be-a-grown-up-boy-scout-the-wilderness-survival-skills-everyone-should-know
http://www.mensfitness.com/training/endurance/12-outdoor-survival-skills-every-guy-should-master?page=2
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/article/plan-ahead-reduce-impact-natural-disasters
http://worksafecenter.com/safety/topic/emergency+preparedness/step-1.page?&gclid=COjNz_nOy8YCFQiQaQodV6UPfQ
http://www.wikihow.com/Read-a-Map
http://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Compass
http://ccfpd.org/Education/Documents/ScoutWorksheets/findingnorthwithoutcompass.pdf
http://www.almanac.com/content/find-your-way-without-compass
http://www.getoutwiththekids.co.uk/family-hiking/teaching-kids-map-reading/
http://www.sydneyobservatory.com.au/2013/finding-south-using-the-southern-cross/
https://www.google.com/search?q=big+dipper+with+north+star&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=643&tbm=isch&imgil=kfT0mnKLUA9G6M
%253A%253BN9EQXRdT017igM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fnewbraj.com%25252F2014%25252F05%25252F01%25252Fm
editations-on-srimad-bhagavatam-ch-12-in-which-dhruva-maharaja-attains-the-polestar%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=kfT0mnKLUA9G6M%253A%252CN9EQXRdT017igM%252C_&dpr=1&usg=__KWounu2F7qquMZl8
60Nkj37qIns%3D&ved=0CCkQyjdqFQoTCIHJ2OHC-ccCFYwNkgodztgMg&ei=k0_4VcGzBYybyATOsbPQDw#imgrc=EK0og6vLDaSfQM%3A&usg=__KWounu2F7qquMZl860Nkj37qIns%3D
http://neilsperry.com/2012/10/texas-tree-tips-october-2012/
https://www.google.com/search?q=free+photos+map+images+global;&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=643&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ
&sa=X&ved=0CDYQsARqFQoTCMmB3a7X7McCFUefgAodxlkAsA&dpr=1#tbm=isch&q=free+photos+roadmap+images+global%3B&img
rc=ww1UlnU1FQD2rM%3A
http://www.123rf.com/photo_31046470_asian-family-enjoying-walk-in-countryside.html?term=out
http://www.vidiani.com/maps/maps_of_australia_and_oceania/maps_of_australia/large_detailed_road_map_of_australia.jpg
http://www.harryanddavid.com/?ref=google_search_tm&cm_mmc=tm-_-google_search-_-TQE-TM-Branded_adgroup-_keyword&gclid=CJP1n6bm7McCFQuQaQodYWkM9g
http://www.wikihow.com/Tell-Whether-the-Moon-Is-Waxing-or-Waning
http://www.ehow.com/how_2078611_read-road-map.html