I memorise routes for the car before heading off.
I use 'Mapnav' they often say, 'what's that'
I bet.
OS maps are my first port of call when planning a cycle or dog walk. And the necessary maps come with me - it's not like they weigh much.
That said, I've used the backcountrynavigator app to get me out of a few sticky situations over the years. It has real time 1:25000 OS maps and the screen rotates as you turn. I don't know why everyone doesn't have it as it's only seven quid and it gives you zoomable OS mapping of the entire UK.
always use paper maps, never had a gps and don't want to use my phone. i use them for planning routes and like looking on them for interesting tracks and dirt roads, love a bit of exploring. i'm getting quite a collection now.
As others have said, paper maps much better for general overview and planning and always carried as back up even if using GPX files, but tbh, much prefer a paper map rather squinting at a tiny screen.
Also, always look at road atlas before following SatNav -- try it sometime and you might be amazed at some of the routes a SatNav tries to send you on!!
By all means use a GPS but it's essential to still be able to use a map and compass. Ever wondered why, if you do your ML or BC MTB Leaders award that you have to navigate with map and compass?
I buy the maps that include the free download version, use the paper map to plan and the app to accurately place me when out & about.
I agree that's an essential skill but they're not always the best exemplars of good practice., if you do your ML or BC MTB Leaders award that you have to navigate with map and compass?
, if you do your ML or BC MTB Leaders award that you have to navigate with map and compass?
I agree that's an essential skill but they're not always the best exemplars of good practice.
Going off topic here a little, but agree with that comment which is why I think both Mountain Training and BC are pushing CPD a lot more now.
Having been to CPD events organised by both, I think the challenge is that it's only the keen ones that turn up to these events and there are many award holders resting on their laurels and aren't current with best practices etc.
mainly paper here too. I have Viewranger with 50k and 25k mapping of all the areas I ride, plus OS locate on iphone, but like the look ad feel of a proper map.
Recently completed MLBA course and it requires map based navigation throughout, with Garmins etc only allowed for odometer readings
agree with Spin. walking: paper map with phone app as backup. Biking: phone app with paper map as back up.
if you do your ML or BC MTB Leaders award that you have to navigate with map and compass?
If you do Winter ML you'll have to navigate by map and compass at night in 80mph winds on a featureless plateau surrounded by cornices for several hours and not only not get lost, but be extremely accurate....
Have got quite a collection of paper maps but I don't use them now. I find the whole process of unfolding and laying out a sheet of paper that's partially obliterated by creases/water damage/marker pen totally antiquated.
Much prefer a digital map zoom out and hide detail to see the bigger picture zoom in to plot a route. Digital updates also let you see stuff that's not on paper maps.
OS map preffered, many an evening plotting local epics and out next day! although recently i have started using strava's "create route" function......from what I found on the OS map of course 😀
Ever wondered why, if you do your ML or BC MTB Leaders award that you have to navigate with map and compass?
having just completed my MBLA L2 at the weekend there, I think the map and compass discipline is good. The tutor was very aware that some of us had mapping on phones/Garmins, and laid down some basic rules about not consulting these while under assessment, but fully accepting that we would use them in normal riding. Having the map skills is, IMO , essential for being in remote hills, as a back up system to modern tech, which can fail/go flat/get dunked in a river.
I love maps. Paper maps with phone backup for me.
I also have scotland at 1:250 000 on one wall of my flat, europe at 1: 4 000 000 and the whole world at 1: 35 000 000 ( or something) on another
I too love paper maps and have a large collection. Some of my old ones are purely to memorialise my glory days of trail questing (ahem) with the day's route/checkpoints highlighted. They do take ages to use though, when I did the Coast to Coast a couple of years ago, they added hours to each day. Nowadays I abdicate responsibility while sneering at my younger mates' digital navigation, ready to step in with device - free skills when batteries fade etc. Whatever I use, reading glasses have become a necessary accessory these days. I do like and use OS Locate regularly too
Both have their uses.
Paper maps are for planning routes on the kitchen table, whilst sipping a suitable libation and listening to appropriate music.
Devices are for out on the hill, used in conjunction with a decent sense of direction and reasonable knowledge of where you are/should be going.
YMMV 😀
