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.
Head to your local REI store to pick up a topographic map for your next adventure, ask questions or sign up for an Outdoor School navigation course (www.rei.com/outdoorschool/nav....
Find REI’s selection of maps at: www.rei.com/c/maps.

[@Guwxop]

Anyone here for your Sciene class?

[@animechan000]

*sigh* Geo unit test....

[@emmanuellawal1080]

Fax

[@adrianelacaze151]

im here for projects cuz im in 4th grade

[@briannasbabys7603]

I’m here for a geography quiz

[@If_I_loose_my_hair_i_will_kms]

Yeah man

[@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.

[@phillower8806]

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.

[@excxptFN]

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

[@Snowiiix]

so me to XD

[@brockyboat]

Same!

[@kamilmcgrue9381]

me too!

[@saadjan4531]

Yea

[@AliceAttentionWhore]

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

[@nosleepdelirium1214]

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

[@linderella83]

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!

[@subramhanyagshreevidyags7106]

Yesssßsssss your right Lindsey orourke

[@ditzydoo4378]

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.

[@bobclark8516]

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

[@mrl7067]

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

[@aishammmmmm]

Me to I still don’t understand

[@romabiswas744]

I'm learning for geography

[@rickybobby2937]

In here just for metal detecting so I can see where houses and wells used to be

[@karymemartinez6769]

Frl

[@danatovar8807]

ye

[@DinotechCa2427195]

Thanks REI this is great!

[@Jeevithaization]

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

[@lawrenceomang2712]

A very detailed and concise explanation.. Thanks

[@DisciplesOnCampus]

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

[@huriye161]

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.

[@cedarrockcabin3633]

Me! I want to expand on my hiking and I absolutely do not remember what I learned about reading a topographic map in school.

[@sketchthinking4370]

👌 excelent video I understand everything even though I am from Mexico, Its super well explained, congratulations!!!👏👏👏

[@MyTube4Utoo]

A good video with lots of info. Thanks!

[@james33338]

great video anyone know the background music?

[@nwprtbrths]

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

[@xianghuiwang1078]

Great explanation! I learned a lot.

[@dreamaiz]

very helpful and easy to understand!

[@SSP2561]

Ta ma de gongcheng

[@robinkarmakar9678]

awasome video .it help me many time. thanks for sharing it.

[@emmanuelperez9490]

This is a super useful information. Thank you very much for this.

[@DeePsix501]

Great Vid REI!

[@Ivkl21]

ur the first to comment

[@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.

[@holdenholt7266]

darude- sandstorm

[@lameking2839]

We do the same in north east of india........... nagaland

[@MrApplecyber]

Thanks for protecting your workers REI from Covid. Nice to support REI

[@cedarrockcabin3633]

Excellent! Thank you!

[@varshaprasad8375]

Thankyou so much you just saved my life 😍 BTW attending practicals for Bsc Geography tomorrow 😄🙌

[@rei]

Thanks for watching and best of luck, Varsha!

[@manirakizadidier822]

this video is really cool!! it gives idea.

[@BenKuebler]

Thanks REI ! so helpful

[@crescent_vixen7443]

thank you. well explained

[@dharitshah4484]

great video it helped me

[@KshitijKV]

AMAZING!

[@sarbjeetsarbgill2144]

Very nic explanation . Plz make vdeo on how to read grid reference on topo map

[@jaymejia8822]

love REI

[@k283535]

Thank you Thank you Thank you team

[@fivestarcorporation1901]

GREAT VIDEO HELPFUL

[@seeratbhatia8405]

Sorts out the information worth keeping: thank you!

[@rei]

Thanks for watching! We're glad you found this info useful. 👍

[@ronavz3915]

amazing video! thanks

[@vandanachaturvedi6520]

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

[@amankumarjyotishi9711]

Awesome video

[@olgareyes6822]

My my teacher tells me to watch this is so helpful

[@marlimiller6732]

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.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

I think the key word there is _scale_ .

[@SplashyCannonBall]

Spends all day talking about the map. Winds up following the river

[@clairenelson6271]

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

[@nicholwanasinghe4401]

wow. nice video!

[@ShenState]

Today was finally the day I got tired of looking and not knowing what it meant. Now I'm educated! A little bit lol

[@prashusharma455]

Does anyone know? Is geological history of all maps same like older rock formation under marine condition after tectonic activities?? please help🥰

[@AradhanaPathologyLabBerla]

Amazing video

[@hiiamjustacoolrandomuser168]

Great vidoe

[@thelughxperience6971]

amazing!

[@caylanicole8671]

I know it is a weird question, but what is the background music in the beginning? I have heard it in a few KZbin videos, but the creators never say what the song is and it isn't in the comments either. :(

[@holdenholt7266]

darude- sandstorm

[@ltn6643]

Holden holt no it Isn’t

[@amankumarjyotishi9711]

Ya I also wonder about it

[@fullmetal8518]

It it’s darude- sandstorm

[@xiesalicaceae2482]

This is great! Thank you!

[@TheUnboxedCat]

very helpful for me

[@piousminion7822]

Try reading contour lines on a map in Florida. You might find 20 miles between lines, if that. :P

[@cydneicyd8767]

What color is steep on this type of map?

[@pradipray9826]

Thanks,help me

[@mahima6735]

Tnx

[@basantemaje678]

Excellent 👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌

[@redman4bills]

useful 👍

[@KaleStewart]

thank u

[@dawoodahmad600]

Helpful

[@x2malandy]

Take a tub or large bowl and put a large rock in it. Pour water in it until it is 1 inch deep. Draw a marker line around (on) the rock where water is touching rock. Put another 1 inch deep of water, mark rock. Repeat until you are at top of rock. There you go!

[@jeanle2889]

Here to learn how to find the best place for me to build my future tiny house 😇

[@renusubba2842]

Well explained. Who is the narrator?

[@schanemassey3861]

Renu Subba my wife Sarah bashard

[@holdenholt7266]

darude-sandstorm i think. he is the narrator i believe i think that he is the narrator i think, i believe, ok

[@marissahuish5461]

POV you are here because your geology class had you read the REI article and this video about topical graphs.

[@rei]

Regardless of you got here, we appreciate you stopping by!

[@samudranath8542]

Excellent 👌👌👌

[@MrDrewcallahan]

Small scale maps actually show less detail over a larger area.

[@lameking2839]

Really? Naaaa

[@nicolenew1708]

❤❤❤

[@raiden.real6218]

HOMESCHOOL YEAH BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@johnwhite3476]

Here for geosystems 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@angelinosurvivor]

why do people change the pronunciation of the first "o" in topographic from short to long in "topo" ?

[@paulannamattathil3709]

Great

[@bretknight3813]

End card links aren't working. =[

[@jonphil-gg9et]

What are the parts of topographic map

[@rei]

Great question Jon! Topographic Map features typically include natural formations such as mountains, rivers, lakes, and valleys. Manmade features such as roads, dams, and cities may also be included.

[@jefferyjames8292]

I miss so much learning geography in school

[@puprilla]

I'm learning for better fishing lol 🤣

[@subratamoitra3337]

good

[@gabriel713281]

I came here because I kept running my horse off the edge of cliffs in Red Dead Redemption 2 and I wanted to learn how to read the topo lines 😂

[@Hi-zd1gt]

hi gooda

[@peterkenefick576]

Villa kids where you at

[@centralparkhorsecarriage1858]

Wow

[@josegurrola9021]

ENT 113 sent me here

[@rosesienna9018]

Here for hsie class 😢

[@shahirkhan6344]

👏

[@overpopulation5546]

Anyone from TH Rogers Mr. G's class?

[@syth6189]

Justin Wen YEAH!

[@VivekKumar-kb3lw]

Hindi me nahi hai kya

[@sheetalhargude1126]

👍🏻🙏🏻

[@rei]

😁Thanks for watching!

[@williamdayton2173]

Rough liver sausage let’s hippie it

[@remyhamel8694]

I'm here for DayZ..😂

[@mohamed.elmandouh]

Who else is her for social studies or earth since then like

[@hypestuffs6341]

Meeeeee

[@angelaz4523]

Anyone here for your Geography class?

[@ellisho4945]

Mona chin I see you

[@LeBeauJoel]

Here 25 minutes before my geography test

[@cjimmer4877]

You missed one of the most important things about a map. The horizontal and vertical lines that run across the whole map. These are UTM lines or lat long lines. Everybody knows what a contour line is everybody knows how to use scale. If they don't there are hundreds of videos on the subject. What would be great is to know what those red lines that go horizontal and vertical represent and how you use them to navigate.

[@natethan2204]

Still lost. 😅

[@Jeremy.Patrich]

This was really helpful! Don't forget Township & Range! kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6O2ip6MnpqnhKM

[@dontavious2k475]

Anyone here for earth science?

[@williamdayton2173]

Tornados and garages 3

[@ceferistul05]

man the imperial system is really tiresome if you aren't used to it. i find metric to be much more intuitive being decimal and all