Most maps have a legend. In cartography, a "map legend" is a list or table of symbols used on the map with explanations of their meaning. Study it carefully. A good map contains a vast amount of information, but if you don't know the topographic signs, this information will remain a mystery to you. After studying the legend, check the map's publication date and clarify the current magnetic declination.
Finally, you need to learn to read the map scale and understand the meaning of all its contour lines.
Map Scale
Scale is the ratio between distances on the ground and on the map. The larger the scale, the more detailed the map. The type of map depends on its intended use.
For example, a very detailed large-scale map would be completely useless for a jet fighter pilot flying over the area depicted on it in a few seconds. Similarly, an infantry soldier has no use for a small-scale aeronautical chart because it lacks the details they need.
All maps must indicate the scale. For land navigation during a hike, a map with a scale of 1:50,000 is best, while a map with a scale of 1:25,000 would be ideal (the larger the scale, the more details the map contains).
A scale of 1:50,000 means that 1 cm on the map corresponds to 500 m on the ground. (In 1 cm — 50,000 cm or 500 m.) In other words, 2 cm on the map equals 1 km on the ground. Knowing the scale, you can easily calculate distances. Some compasses have a scale table on the side of the baseplate — it can quickly convert map distance to real-world distance, saving you calculations.
Contour Lines on a Map
Maps are flat, but the earth's surface is uneven. How are landforms depicted on a map?
Contour lines (or isolines) connect points located at the same height above sea level. On a 1:50,000 scale map, they are usually drawn every 10 meters, and on a 1:25,000 map — every 5 meters. On good maps, some contour lines are marked with their elevation.
Learning to distinguish between hills and valleys is not that difficult. The rule is: the closer the contour lines are to each other, the steeper the slope. If they are spaced far apart, the slope is gentle; if they are absent, it's a plain.
Once you learn to work with a map, you will "see" the terrain relief depicted on it.
Planning the Route
Most often, the route forms in your mind even before the start of the hike — you have a good idea of its start and end. In this case, you need to carefully study the map during the preparation stage. And even if you are going with a group where someone else is responsible for navigation, you still need to work with the map in advance to have a clear understanding of the terrain you will be traveling through.
Setting out on a journey with no idea of your route is a very bad idea. After all, the main condition for a successful hike is thorough preparation. When developing a route, consider the following points.
1. Access roads. If you plan to be driven to the starting point by car, check the map to see if there are access roads there. In many cases, there simply aren't any, and if you can't reach the starting point, your expedition will end before it begins.
2. Campsites. If your hike lasts several days, where do you plan to set up camp for the night? Check if these places have water, firewood, and shelter. Is the area you're heading to forested, or is it completely bare? Do you need to take a tent, or will you find everything necessary to build a shelter on-site?
3. Terrain relief. What is the terrain like along the route? Are there steep slopes that will take a lot of energy to overcome, reducing the distance you can cover in a day?
4. Water obstacles. Will you encounter water barriers along the way? If so, how will you overcome them? Will you have to trek many kilometers looking for a bridge? What is the soil like — is it dry and well-drained or swampy, which will greatly hinder your progress? (During selection tests for the special forces, we learned to fear the symbols on the map denoting "swampy area." How often we remembered them while trudging knee-deep in water for hours!)
5. High altitude. Will you have to climb to altitudes above the tree line? Trees do not grow in high mountains — usually due to very low temperatures. Participating in high-altitude expeditions requires special skills, clothing, and equipment: windproof mountain tents, warm clothing, boots with spiked soles for walking on glaciers, and fuel supplies, as there is no firewood there.
6. Landmarks. Are there enough landmarks and features along the way to determine your bearing and navigate confidently?
7. Climatic conditions. What are the climatic conditions of the area? How might they affect your movement?
I advise you to always choose a route that follows the path of least resistance to geographical conditions, unless, of course, you want to test yourself in extreme situations. Gentle slopes, trails made by other people, convenient water crossings — all this will make your hike less dangerous.
Next guide: Global Positioning Systems Previous guide: How to Read a Map Correctly and Plan the Perfect Route You can view the full list here: Survival Guides for the Mountains
