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WATER PROOF TOPOGRAPHICAL MAPS |
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ROAD MAPS CAN ONLY PERSONALIZED, WATER-PROOF TOPO MAPS CENTERED
ON YOUR
FAVORITE PADDLING PLACES |
WHY USE A TOPO MAP:
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:
Follow
this link to MyTopo.com
for their search tool that is fully integrated with Google Maps. Maps
purchased through this link support TopKayaker.net. 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 border 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.
Related Articles:
Planning Your Route and
Finding Your Way with Kayak Navigation by Tom Holtey
We hope you've found this information helpful.
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