map folding/cutting help

“before i slice, dice, rip, mangle, laminate, or otherwise destroy my large expensive USGS topo maps of the area i'm going backpacking, I thought I get some opinions and ideas on carrying and packing maps. What works, what doesn't?”

“Photocopy the part you need. Then slice and dice until it fits into your small folding map case.
This method works best for me because I like to have it ready in a hip pocket.”

“small folding map case, eh? see? I was going to cut it into squares, laminate it, roll it, and stick it in a ziplock in my backpack!”

“Check this out:
Map folding ”

“how much time, effort, and money do you want to put into map preservation?

Iron on adhesive cloth backing makes the map last seemingly forever. Clear plastic laminate also protects, with the added bonus of erasable writing on the plastic.

copying a map may distort scale. this may or may not be a concern depending on intended use.

Search around on the internet. Free downloadable topos are appearing on various government sites. Unfortunately, most people only have an 8.5 x 11 printer, so you may have to burn the file to a CD and take it to a commercial print shop for large copies.”

“The last couple of trips, I have taken it to the map store(conveniently on my way in the daily commute) and have it lammied. I think it costs like a dollar or something, but considering you get the map for free...either from the forest/park district or at Topozone.com that's nuttin'.

Then, I scroll it up and stick it through a side loop on my pack(or stuff it in a pocket for handy access). No creasin' or foldin'

:o)”

“Maps....sheesh....who needs 'em?”

“PHOTOCOPY the portion of the map you need...rather than fold, spindle or mutilate yer USGS Quads.

They are balck and white and don't show color-coordinated features like the Quad, but I've solved this by purchasing Sharpies and coloring portions of my maps. I use Blue (and line-color the streams and lakes to show where the water is, and to indicate the bottom of valleys), Yellow (I'll designate an elevation upon which above that gets colored, to show the higher elevated land of the map. This also shows the "hills and valleys" landforms visually more apparent.), and Red (to mark any nearby roads in case of an emergency and I need to head to one).

This gives the map a 3-D look as you can see blue streams, white slopes and yellow "upper ground". With a photocopy, you can also write on your maps to mark whatever you feel necessary. This takes some time, but is well worth it!”

“scan the sections you want and reprint on color scanner. store them on trail in the "omniseal" mapcases sold at outfitters.They are like a giant ziploc(but much thicker and durable) with a very heavy duty zipper.”

“On a recent military excercise, I decided to go to Wal-Mart and buy a $1.47 clear plastic ziplock type document holder (since the Air Force doesn't issue tese kind of things. I went to Clothing sales on base and the map holders were $26.00). After a week of rain, and constant handling/dropping, my map never got wet or wrinkled. Although was a pain to get in and out of, I think it was well worth the price.
One thing I did do to it though, was put a litle piece of duct tape at the end of the zipper and it survived a complete dunking in a 2' deep puddle.
CAPT out.”

“I write all over it. It becomes a living history / journal.”