Before we go. Where are we going.
The Ordnance Survey maps cover the whole of the UK. (There is also Google.)
A retired racing driver once told me, (when I was a teenager) that he and his navigator won a race because the navigator had literally mapped the whole route, turn by turn, so he could call out the degrees 45 or 30, the inclines, everything the driver would need to know to anticipate how to drive the car to it’s full potential. Evidently, the navigator wrote it meticulously on loo roll, which he unwound as the race progressed. I laughed thinking it was a funny anecdote. It was true.
Now we don’t need to know every turn and incline however, we do not want to get lost. It’s tiring if we have to go miles out of our way, as many youngsters on their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh practice walk have found.
This may seem ‘old school’. But I think it’s useful and a bit fun.Even if you’re using other navigational tools, try out using these maps.
Everyone is taught how to read a map in school. But how much do you remember? And if you don’t have a convenient ten year old, it might be good to refresh your “symbols”. The scale of a map usually 1:25 000 is simple enough.
Step up to very steep
Brown lines close up? Steep ground. The closer the lines, the steeper the mountain .. if you look up on Ordanance Survey the top of Ben Nevis, Scotland, you will see very tight lines.
UP A Gear
For more arduous walks the following is The Ordance Survey recommended list:
- OS Walkers dry bag: the core item of the kit – A 25 litre waterproof roll-top bag to keep everything dry whatever the British weather throws at you. Ideal for maps, wallets, mobile phones and much more
- OS 15 compass: a must have for all walkers. This simple compass is designed for our 50k and 25k maps
- OS romer: a handy little tool that makes measuring distances and finding Grid References easier
- OS Maps subscription: Get 12 months access to all the mapping you will ever need on web and mobile, including Aerial 3D and Augmented Reality. Print maps in a choice of scales at home as well as viewing on an Android or Apple device. Includes access to a huge library of routes to inspire you, or you can create your own
- OS ‘Map reading made easy’ guide: a pocket-sized guide book to map reading, using a compass, finding Grid References and much more
- Pocket first aid kit: contains critical items including dressings,safety pins and emergency guide contained in a handy pouch
- Emergency blanket: lightweight thermal blanket
- Ordnance Survey Tritan drinks flask: keep hydrated with a OS drink bottle
- Emergency whistle: six short blasts followed by a one minute pause indicates an emergency, and carries further than shouting
- Tick removal tweezers: ticks can carry Lyme’s Disease, so it’s important to remove them from both people and pets quickly