Compass

[Chilliphil]

I'm not sure you'll get maps to the scale you want. The best scale available on OS maps is 1:25000, which is more than good enough for normal usage. There will only be a map of the area if someone has "mapped" it. If the footpaths don't exist as footpaths then they wont be marked on a map. Also remember that they don't update OS maps constantly and farmers have a habit of moving fences etc. I went on a hike recently and the field bore no resemblance to the map as the farmer had changed all the fences since the map had been drawn.

 

[Uilleachan]

I don't quite understand. I thought OS had maps of local areas. I thought I'd be able to get a map of Stansted Forest or some other place in detail and see all the contour lines and things so I could navigate my way through the forest. There isn't really any of that available. I've been looking at many different websites, some recommended here, but I can't find what I was looking for. Best I've been able to find is something like this.

I don't know how I'm supposed to be able to learn map and compass without a map of local areas. The only ones OS has is the New Forest. And other maps of local woods are too large in scale, if that's the right word.

Does any of that make sense? I'm trying to find maps that are "inside" the woods... because I already know how to get to them so a map like the one above is useless.

You can customize your own map on the OS site, be it in 1:25,000 or 1:50,000, but you'll not get a map of just, say a wood. Anyway, you'll also want points of reference in the wider landscape for finding where you are. Customizing your map you could centre your map on your wood, for example.

 

[Goatboy]

The O.S. Explorer Maps (Orange covers) in 1:25 000 scale are about as detailed as you'll be able to buy off of the shelf. Even they won't have every boulder and path on them. There's only so much you can represent on a map without it either becoming unreadable or of too small an area to be of use. There will be some info missing. Chances are the O.S. has the info but it'll only be available for commercial and planning applications. (And they're useless to navigate with - too focused an area.) Also mapping is an expensive business (I've done it) and areas only periodically get updated. Actually with the O.S. selling their printers off to Europe a couple of years ago there's a fear that only very popular areas will get updated regularly due to costs. (There also used to be a deliberate mistake on each sheet a 'till a few years back as a kind of copyright protection. So if someone produced a map with that mistake on it the O.S. had a case of someone using their expensive data. Also certain military bases and installations used to be omitted for security, though with satellite imagery being so available they seem to have binned that practice.

 

[THOaken]

You can customize your own map on the OS site, be it in 1:25,000 or 1:50,000, but you'll not get a map of just, say a wood. Anyway, you'll also want points of reference in the wider landscape for finding where you are. Customizing your map you could centre your map on your wood, for example.

So I could make an explorer 1:25,000 of my area, Rowland's Castle and say I wanted to go to, for example, Rosamond's Hill in the east, that would work? This is where I show that I'm finding it a little hard to grasp. I don't see how a map at this scale can tell you where to go because once you're in the woods it's a completely different thing all together. The image you see above for Stansted Forest doesn't have any paths... How can I use this map to find my way to Rosamond's Hill, for example, if there are no paths ? Also, another thing I don't quite understand is how you line up the blue grid lines on the map with those on the compass housing as they are different scales entirely.

Edit: For some reason I just can't imagine walking through the woods when all there really is a blob of green on the map called Stansted Forest. It doesn't seem at the moment that it could possibly get you to the chosen destination.

 

[Chilliphil]

It's quite difficult to explain without you and the map here...

In answer to your blue lines question. The blue vertical lines all run N / S, so line your compass to north and then rotate the map so that the map is facing north. This is how you orientate the map. Once again, not that easy to explain down a computer.

 

[Chilliphil]

Edit: For some reason I just can't imagine walking through the woods when all there really is a blob of green on the map called Stansted Forest. It doesn't seem at the moment that it could possibly get you to the chosen destination.

You need to almost visualise the forest in map form... From looking at that map I think I could get across that forest, plenty of tracks to be following West to get to Rowlands castle. Start off in an area you know well and take a map and compass with you and just have a walk around familiarising yourself with the map and the features around you.

 

[santaman2000]

It's quite difficult to explain without you and the map here...

In answer to your blue lines question. The blue vertical lines all run N / S, so line your compass to north and then rotate the map so that the map is facing north. This is how you orientate the map. Once again, not that easy to explain down a computer.

The exact reason i suggested findind an orienteering club in your local area.

 

[Chilliphil]

Thats a good idea. Or a tame local Scout Leader... I teach kids all the time how to do it, but can't put it down on here in a way to make it easy to understand.

 

[THOaken]

It's £17 for a custom map though and I can't find something similar online that I can just print.

 

[Goatboy]

Seriously HERE has one of the simplest ways of teaching reading and orientation. Just build on it from here as with out interaction it's difficult to verbally/textually explain how to do it.

 

[Chilliphil]

You wont find an OS map to print online at 1:25000 for free. Why don't you start off with the local OS Explorer map and then consider a bespoke one when you've had a bit of practice. I get mine from Amazon for about £7 but you should be able to get them in all good book and outdoor shops.

 

[Goatboy]

Seriously HERE has one of the simplest ways of teaching reading and orientation. Just build on it from here as with out interaction it's difficult to verbally/textually explain how to do it.

On the map front I'd by a standard O.S. Explorer (Orange cover) or Landranger (Pink cover) map as 99% of the population get by with them, and they're under a £10 still.

 

[THOaken]

I've read that website, Goatboy. It's always good to get a more simplified version of the theory to reassure one's own knowledge.

The problem is there doesn't seem to be any premade OS maps for my area. Looks like I'll just have to order a custom one of the local area?

Edit: I could print it on Get a Map, actually.

 

[Chilliphil]

The map you want is OS Explorer 120 (this covers Stansted Forest). Currently £5.75 on Amazon.

 

[Goatboy]

You could get a custom map, though do you need too? The standard O.S. maps cover the whole country. (Was just looking at your area on my digital O,S, maps - I have Anquet and Memory Map on the laptop again). The only reason really to get a custom map is if you want a map centred on your area or buisnises like B&B's often have one with them at the centre for customers to explore the area.

You're on the Landranger #197 (Chichester & the South Downs), and Explorer #120 (Chichester South Harting & Selsey) maps. Though admittedly to the south west edge of the maps.

 

[THOaken]

The map you want is OS Explorer 120 (this covers Stansted Forest). Currently £5.75 on Amazon.

Ah, thanks. Do you reccomend that whilst I wait for that to arrive I could actually just print out an Explorer map of my area? I could learn to navigate to several different forests this way as the map view I'm thinking of printing covers Stansted, Havant Thicket and Steinwood. In fact, here's an image of what I'll print off: http://i.imgur.com/GtdyMlN.jpg I just need to subscribe to OS and then print it off. Whilst I wait for Explorer 120 I could start finding my way around the local area using the printed map first? Sounds like a good idea to me.

 

[ozzy1977]

Just get the OS explorer for your area, and get out and use it, sitting at home over analysing things will always make them seem more complicated.

 

[Chilliphil]

Yep, just go for it. I've got that map sat in front of me now, I could try and scan a bit in for you but not sure how it will come out. If you order today you'll have it by the end of the week anyway.

 

[Badger74]

Why don't you try www.bing.com/maps and click the OS version and print a screen shot of the, well screen. They used to print the OS as is, but I now find that when I'm looking at the OS and press print, it goes back to a default google type view.

 

[THOaken]

Just get the OS explorer for your area, and get out and use it, sitting at home over analysing things will always make them seem more complicated.

I find it funny that you say that, Ozzy. Analyse what I'm actually saying and you'll realise that what I actually want is to get out and practice right away. By printing the map I can do that. If I order one I'll have to sit and wait. See my point, friend?