Map Folding Techniques

“I just bought some new quad maps and I was wondering if any of you far more experienced backcountry chaps have any special techniques for folding your maps. I've heard talk of some techniques that allow you to unfold no more than one or two triangles to get to any section of the map (origami-like), some that require no more than two unfoldings of a main crease to get to any section of the map, etc.

As for me, I use the standard accordion map fold. Pretty plain vanilla and it means I have to unfold just about the whole blasted thing when I want to look at it.

Anyone have any better methods?”

“I usually fold it so the area I want is in one or two parts for easy reference, which means it gets folded pretty weirdly. That is not the only weird thing I do though, so it's no big thing.”

“I make a photocopy of the map area I'm hiking in and trim off the areas I'm not hiking. Fold it a time or two and it fits in my shirt pocket.”

“Always stuff, never fold!

OoPs - this isn't the sleeping bag thread!

I do it like Geobeet, fold the map to the area I'm hiking in and if it can be doubled over and placed in a ziploc bag, that's good too!

I am mean to my maps. Why? Because maps have a tendency to lie... Lie, lie, lie... wrong mileage, misleading topo lines, shelters that aren't on the map, non-existant water sources that are on the map... and Bobo don't like no shady maps that lie!”

“I've heard Capn Bobo in his tent abusing his maps. It was discusting.”

“I like to matt my maps on 2/16 thick board. Then I cut swigles in the board. The swigles cause the board/map to break up into 400+ peices.”

“It sucks when you leave a piece at home, especialy if that piece is the area you think you are lost in.”

“chaps? he called us chaps!

look here mr yeardly345...if that's your real name...we ain't no dang chaps. got it?










HAAHAHAHAHAH jus funnin ya man. pheadrus and tilt are total chaps...

re maps; just turn to your section and fold the rest back the best you can. thatta way you just have to whip it out and WHOOP, THERE IT IS! it'll last alot longer cuz you're not unfolding, refolding it alla time. i big ole ziplock will protect it from rain. also, we found out in WY last year, the tearproof/rainproof national goegraphic maps DO NOT like deet. we got some on the map, after we sprayed ourselves , and it ate awat at the ink wherever it got on there.”

“strat, that sounds alot better then my way.”

“strat, that sounds alot better then my way.”

“lmao tea, wtf is 2/16? we call it 1/8 in arkansas.....”

“Thats why you are in Arkansas”

“"total chaps," LMAO!!”

“Thanks for the info about deet and waterproof maps Strat. I bought some waterproof maps of Dolly Sods and Roaring Plains, and I will need to be aware of that.”

“I think you're being wound up here.... and I'm not sure about this guy pretending to be a brit - cos he's not ;o)”

“"lmao tea, wtf is 2/16? we call it 1/8 in arkansas....."
stratdewd
09:29:56 PM
04/23/03

we call it an 1/8" here in Tennessee also.


Thats why you are in Arkansas"
Ice Tea
10:27:01 PM
04/23/03


and thank God he is, at least we can understand him”

“Go here:
http://www.adtdl.army.mil/cgi-bin/atdl.dll/fm/3-25.26/toc.htm

Scroll down to Appendix B.”

“ya geo, it was bad cuz we're like lookin at the map and pointin to the spot where we're at, and a few minutes later the spot on the map just peeled off! we're talkin a full blown 'DOH!' situation here....

lol ewker....i think...


gordon, cool site, thanks..”

“thats too friggin funny,...your almost as dangerous as me...

I'm pretty mean to my maps too...I fold them in many configuration and the paper ones are usually one time uses. I need to make photocopies and preserve the originals.”

“Let's all recall this query when making fun of the lame posts on the "other" site...”

“uhhhm......what did he just call us?”

“I thought you guys like maps.... roll the map.. no creases :}”