Who uses paper maps?

Mike Jones

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Feb 19, 2013
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With GPS on every ones phones these days who brings paper maps with them on the trail?

I make custom maps at caltopo.com and then print them on special tear proof paper/water proof paper.

A lot of my friends love them, and I am thinking of selling them. What are your thoughts?

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With GPS on every ones phones these days who brings paper maps with them on the trail?

I make custom maps at caltopo.com and then print them on special tear proof paper/water proof paper.

A lot of my friends love them, and I am thinking of selling them. What are your thoughts?

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I wanna know where you get that special paper?? [emoji851]


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And yes, I still use my paper maps mostly for planning. I don't like trusting a single source when it comes to back country trails. Everyone has an opinion ;)


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And yes, I still use my paper maps mostly for planning. I don't like trusting a single source when it comes to back country trails. Everyone has an opinion ;)


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Yea on my hikes recently I am shocked how many people don't carry paper maps.

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'Two is one, one is none' and all that. Paper + phone works for me.
 
I generally only use my phone when I need to know where I am, but I haven't done much off-trail stuff. I'm transitioning into using paper maps more though. They're great.
 
I typically carry paper maps with me, though I can't remember the last time I used them. They are there in case my GPS fails on a trip, which has not happened yet.
 
I've started a few trips lately where I go 'oh sh!t, forgot to print maps' . Allen's Dark Canyon route was one of these. We had two phones, tho!
 
I sometimes use big area maps like Trails Illustrated. I always use custom topo map sheets saved in pdf and put on my phone or tablet to save ink and $$. If I really feel the need, I'll print those topo maps in the case where I don't want to depend on technology and/or I need to box the compass on the map. Can't really do that with a phone.
 
I faced planted my Garmin 62ST, shearing off the buttons on the front and cracking the screen on Sunday. I forgot to bring maps or start up the Gaia, resulting in a bit of a sticky situation that could have resulted in a much longer hike out or a thrash through the bushes. Luckily I picked the right trail out. My companions would not have been happy. Moral is that paper maps are a good thing.
 
Nat Geo used to sell that tear proof and waterproof paper for printing maps. There are other sources too. I've printed a bunch of maps on that stuff.
We have about 400 square miles of connected mountainous wilderness close by, the closest trailhead is 15 minutes by car. I have all that on paper maps that always remain in my pack and the more frequented ares within I have more detailed maps. I add maps when going to other vast wilderness ares close by or far away too. I don't feel all together without them.

Yes we take a digital set too but the paper maps are the ones I use the most for off trail nav. I grew up with them and used them every single day of a 30 year career in aerial mapping photography too. But we use them in conjugation with a compass quite often past and present for hiking.
 
I still carry paper maps. phone with GPS gets use for dayhikes some but for extended trips can't beat map and compass.
 
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