Re: Maps! (let's have a seperate thread, instead of using roll call)


steviephil...@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

Magnetic deviation not only changes over time, but the rate of change
also changes. Eg., a 30 year old map may give the deviation at the time
the map was prepared, together with a rate of change (say, deviation
decreases by 30' in 4 years). If you calculate the current deviation
using this old info you WILL GET IT WRONG.

In the context of Scouting any leader who uses 30 year old magnetic
deviation info for navigation is a fool and should not hold an
authorisation for the activity.

Very true.

You cannot navigate successfully without knowing the current deviation
for the *** you are using .

Correct, but you dont need to actually own the current *** or have on
in your possesion to know that info, do you ?

To calculate the current deviation, you DO need a *** that is no more
than a few years old.

National Parks - there is NO general right of access, and never has
been. You CAN use public rights of way, and you CAN use public access
land WITHIN THE TERMS of the access agreement. Some areas of access
land have restrictions on dates or types of access in order to protect
wildlife, private shooting rights etc.

As has been mentioned elsewhere, in most national parks this is a non
issue.

There are a surprising number of people who think that "It's a National
Park - we can go anywhere".

Danger Areas - if you take your Scouts into an active Danger Area
because you use out of date maps, then I sincerely hope the Scout
Association hangs you out to dry. ALWAYS check on the most recent OS
***, and also RING THE MOD NUMBER for the area to check current
firing times and restrictions. The local police for the area will be
able to give you the number.

The chances of accidently wandering into a danger area should be zero,
they do make them rather obvious.

No they don't!
If you are following an established track then yes, there will be a
sign. However it's very easy on some to get close to the heart of the
Danger Area without coming anywhere near a sign. I have encountered
groups (including Scouting groups) on Dartmoor using the red flags as
landmarks to navigate to - they "looked like a good spot to stop for
lunch".


I would not suggest people should navigate the hills using pre-OS maps,
but to suggest that leaders should only ever use the very latest
version of a map is daft and wasteful.

Pre-OS maps? 17th century ones?
OK, fair point on the "rolling revision". But do use as recent a ***
as you can, and check it against the latest for changes. WHSmith is a
great place to spend 40 mins poring over the latest sheets making notes
of the area you are going to.

Someone mentioned making photocopies of the map and having them
laminated - this is an excellent idea, as not only does it save having
to buy multiple copies of the same ***, you can also write on the
laminate and later wipe it off. Use the whiteboard pens that require a
solvent, as the water based ones (for reasons that I hope are obvious)
ain't much use!

.