Geocaching Tip: Learn How to Read a Topo Map
As I related last week, we had quite an adventure last month in the Wisconsin mountains. Since I knew it would be useful, I tracked our hiking adventures. The diagram on the left illustrates the elevation changes that we encountered. The oxygen gets a little thin once you cross the 1,100 feet mark.
I took geology in college, so I knew what a topo was. For geocachers, it’s a good idea to learn how to read one. As you may know, lines on the map indicate elevation. The closer the rings, the steeper the climb.
The map will also show you features like lakes and wetlands. Such information becomes infinitely more important if you realize that the cache is on the opposite side of the lake. Forested areas are also indicated. Bear in mind that some topographical features can change, especially when using older maps. Unfortunately, forests get cleared, wetlands drained. Development happens.
The benefit to reading a topo map is to know how to approach a geocache. For instance, if you see that the cache is on the top of the hill and the trail west of you approaches the top, but at a less steep approach, you’ve discovered a better way to get to GZ.
I have topo maps on my Blackberry. We consult the maps frequently to find out just how far up or down a slope we’ll need to go and sorry to say, if we want to go for the find. We’ll also use them to plan our geocaching route.
Next time you’re out, plan your geocaching and save yourself the extra work.
Not only do I need to learn how to read the topo maps, I need to get them on my GPS!
November 16th, 2009 at 7:51 pmP.J.´s last blog ..HooHaa TB Race 2