How to Read a Topo Map

Topographic maps are a little different from your average map. Once you get the hang of reading them, they help you visualize three-dimensional terrain from a flat piece of paper. Find out what you need to know in this REI Expert Advice Video.

[excxptFN]

I'm here from my science teacher. were doing work on topographic maps

[PhilAndersonOutside]

About 40 years ago, pre-cell phones, pre-internet, I learned how to read a map and compass. The compass was a lot harder to figure out. I still need to refresh those skills every so often, but topo map reading sank pretty well into my brain. Learning how to use these are valuable, but true orienteering skills, often from experience; being able to tell direction and read the terrain are the most valuable skills of all when it comes to wilderness navigation.

[phillower]

Just heard about a tragedy in California involving a family that died of heat exhaustion due to being rookie hikers and not being able to read a topographical map. Thanks for teaching me and everyone be safe out there.

[AliceAttentionWhore]

Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
0:18 Overview
1:56 Scale
2:47 Reading the legend
3:35 Endcard

[nosleepdelirium]

finally a video that made this content not sound so incredibly dull!

[linderella]

Thank you for making this video! Short, well explained, and the details of the added drawings and visuals are fantastic. Thank you! Great narration too!

[ditzydoo]

A very good intro to maps, however when using the scale to measure distance use the edge of a piece of paper, never string. You can mark the paper to get a precise measurement of distance along a non-linier trail (crocked) by putting tick marks on the papers edge as you cover the route, then measuring against the scale. A piece of string stretches' and in wholly imperfect for use. In a pinch you can use the margined areas of your maps border to attain your piece of paper.

[clairenelson]

2:22 hey geographer here! a large scale map actually shows a smaller area in more detail while a small scale map shows a larger area in less detail, think about how the fraction 1/2 is larger than 1/3. In the same way, a scale of 1:500 on a map is larger and more detailed than 1:2000

[Jeevithaization]

What other video explained in 20 minutes, u explained it in 3.47minutes. Awesome, thank you

[huriye]

Am I the only one watching this so I can independently backpack/road trip and hike without worrying about getting lost? I hike quite frequently but it’s always somewhere with clearly defined trails and paint colors on the tree so you know which trail you’re on and then you can hike back to your car and go home, and I’m getting bored of that. I wanna take a serious trip and connect with nature and myself on a deeper level, but I need to be able to confidently read maps to make sure I never get lost in the wilderness.

[DisciplesOnCampus]

SO HELPFUL!! I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND ANYTHING UNTIL THIS VIDEO!!!

[bobclark]

Very helpful - just what I was looking for . Thank-you!

[nwprtbrths]

i love the bootleg "story of my life" playing in the background

[marlimiller]

Very nice video --but the description of different scales from at about 2:20 is backwards. The narrator incorrectly says "But the important thing, is that the map with the smaller scale will show a smaller area but with more detail".

Instead, it's the LARGER scale map that shows less area but with more detail. Think of scale as a fraction: 1:12, 000 is 1/12, 000; 1:50, 000 is 1/50, 000. So, 1:12, 000 is larger than 1:50, 000, and 1:12, 000 shows a smaller area with more detail.

[james]

great video anyone know the background music?

[StevenTorrey]

Great video. I never take a hike without a map. Almost as important as water. No matter how well traversed the trial, it just seems necessary to align yourself, your real presence, with the map. Where I hike, hear near the big city of San Francisco, most hiking areas make available free maps of the trails, maps of excellent quality with plenty of detail.

[mrl]

POV: ur trying to learn about topographic maps for science bc u still don’t understand it

[lawrenceomang]

A very detailed and concise explanation.. Thanks

[vandanachaturvedi]

Because topograpic map would useful to army personal when construction a bridge during a war

[MyTubeUtoo]

A good video with lots of info. Thanks!