[Trooper2221]

hikers, do any of ya download and copy maps to use in the field? Survival on purpose, on you tube has a good video on doing this, just wondering if there are other better ways now, his video has been out a while

 

[oneeyeross]

I love the USGS maps, print them out as needed when I am out and about in the mountains. Have the maps for the local AO printed...hope USGS will eventually get around to doing some newer versions of the high Cascades.

 

[Trooper2221]

I love the USGS maps, print them out as needed when I am out and about in the mountains. Have the maps for the local AO printed...hope USGS will eventually get around to doing some newer versions of the high Cascades.

ok ive done that, but in the mean time since i originated this thread I discovered cal topo on youtube. i think i like it

 

[bunkerbuster]

You can pull a lot of topo & aerial view data off this site.

https://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Mapper.html

 

[TMcArthur]

Cal-topo is a great site!

There is a waterproof stock you can buy to print your maps out on.

https://www.rei.com/product/896270/rite-in-the-rain-all-weather-letter-copier-and-laser-paper

 

[DuneElliot]

I use Caltopo A LOT! I have found it hugely valuable, especially when marking out my own routes and loop hikes when Trails Illustrated maps (love them) aren't available.

 

[TMcArthur]

Nat Geo used to have a great set of topo maps on CD with software to view, modify and print them. I still have it and use it all the time even though they don't sell it or even support it anymore.

 

[bunkerbuster]

Nat Geo used to have a great set of topo maps on CD with software to view, modify and print them. I still have it and use it all the time even though they don't sell it or even support it anymore.

:thumb:

I have Nat Geo topo sets on CD's for Alaska & most western States.
One of the best things I ever bought for land nav.

Simple/easy to use & print.

 

[TMcArthur]

Waterproof map paper wants a laser jet or a high-quality thermal inkjet that uses pigments instead of dyes. Cheap inkjet printers use water-soluble ink which smears. The alternative is to print on regular paper and then coat it or laminate it (or just not get your map wet). However, if you coat or laminate, it becomes difficult to write on it.

Used to use Nat Geo Aventure Paper but they stopped selling it. Rite in the Rain paper is an inexpensive paper-based waterproof product but is not more resistant to tearing than regular paper. For tactical situations, you can also get tan and light OD green paper. DuraCopy, I-Gage, and Puffin are synthetic papers that are tear resistant. People have even printed on sheets of Tyvec but I can't figure out how to make it feed properly.

All the waterproof papers take writing from a ballpoint pen but it had best be waterproof or it will smear. NONE of them do well with gel pens or markers. Only Rite in the Rain does well with graphite pencil. Have yet to try grease pencil. I like to use 8 mil synthetic over 10 mil for smaller maps because it folds easier. OTOH if you print two-sided, you want 10 mil to prevent bleed through. There is only one thickness of Rite in the Rain.

I prefer to use 8.5x14 (legal size) stock. A double-sided map on legal size printed at 1:24000 usually gives me roughly 10 miles of hiking on one sheet. In terms of ink, less is better so I use economy mode. Using more may cause excess ink to just lay on the surface which can lead to smearing and staining the pocket that contains the map. (Pigment-based inks never fully wash out.) Dye-based ink should ALWAYS be coated or laminated.

https://www.waterproofpaper.com/