HOW TO READ TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS // Basic Land Navigation Part 1

A map and compass are part of the 10 Essentials of hiking. Knowing how to read a topographic map ("topo map") is an essential skill for all hikers. In this video, we go over the first two "5 D's of Map Reading" taken from the book "How to be Expert Map and Compass: The Complete Orienteering Handbook" by Bjørn Kjellstrøm to give the viewer an introduction to topographic maps. We cover map Descriptions which reviews the information in the map margins such as date, declination, scale, and location.
The video goes in to a deep dive on the map Details; map colors and contour lines. We cover topics like index contour lines, intermediate contour lines, and the contour interval of a map. We then look at several topographic features hikers will encounter on the trail such as hills, cliffs, valleys, spurs, saddles, and depressions.
Be sure to check out other videos in the Land Navigation Series: • Land Navigation
"Be Expert with Map & Compass": amzn.to/2XMDJvg
Special thanks to REI, bushwalking101.org, USGS, and Bjørn Kjellstrøm for the images used in this tutorial.
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Website: www.outsidechronicles.com
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[@OutsideChronicles]

Be sure to check out our full LAND NAVIGATION playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PL0JzmvrJfyEQ7mLgesV8Ue6wU-iWwsIqJ

[@temomoreno2018]

I’ve watched lots of map reading videos and yours are by far the best. Thank you for the education

[@cww922]

One of the best explanations and demonstrations of topo maps I’ve ever seen! Thank you!

[@OutsideChronicles]

Thanks Chuck, I appreciate the nice comment. Be sure to check out the whole Land Navigation series. Part 2 is my favorite where I show all of the topo features in Part 1 in real life at Zoar Valley. Happy Holidays!

[@user-om6xz5uq7l]

Agree...this guy is awesome.

[@user-om6xz5uq7l]

Awesome video❤❤ Thank you sir!

[@daveberman743]

The best presentation on how to read a topo map I've seen so far.

[@OutsideChronicles]

Wow, thanks for that amazing compliment! See you outside

[@Ajajambo]

So underrated this educational video, it really deserves more likes. Thank you

[@OutsideChronicles]

Thank you! See you outside!

[@noahhawke2659]

I love the outdoors!

[@mirapaige4411]

Thank you so much - I'm taking geology and struggling with topographic material. YOU ARE A LIFESAVER THIS HELPED TREMENDOUSLY.

[@OutsideChronicles]

My pleasure, I am glad it was able to help you out. Be sure to check out Part 2, where I go over all of the various topographic features in real life.

[@janier1901]

Excellent! Thank you for making this fun and easy!

[@OutsideChronicles]

You are most welcome. Be sure to check out the whole playlist. In part 2 I show each one of the topo features in real time at one of my favorite places, Zoar Valley. Thanks for the comment and watching!

[@kimbruns2084]

Thanks for the great presentation, I just finished reading a Map and Compass book and your videos are a nice review. Thanks.

[@TheAdventureHeads]

Lots of good detail and great field tips. Definitely a keeper. Love the logo t-shirt

[@OutsideChronicles]

Thanks, watch out for the next parts in the series. The tee shirt was a prototype. I may have to do a run, people are asking for merch.

[@Swindys]

Fantastic job with breaking down the key points for reading a topographic map. Thanks!!

[@OutsideChronicles]

Thank you, I appreciate the comment. Thanks for watching

[@fletcherbrown728]

Wow! Just an excellent presentation. So well organized, [erfect level of detail and the use of your annotations on-screen along with the repetition of concept and then pointing out actual examples is perfect. Excellent teaching style. Thanks so much for all the hard work you put into this. Subscribing and moving on to your follow on lesson in this series.

[@OutsideChronicles]

Thank you for the kind words. This was a fun series to create, I love maps. Thanks for watching and subscribing!

[@subhashkumar-js1fd]

Thank u from India,best explanation ever.

[@OutsideChronicles]

Thank you, my pleasure, see you outside!

[@yogalandawellnessyolandati7654]

That’s the most helpful video I’ve seen in a while, thank you!

[@OutsideChronicles]

Thank you! See you outside!

[@candicemagiera5515]

Thank you! Useful video. Good explanation

[@OutsideChronicles]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Berry_N]

Fantastic video, thanks.

[@OutsideChronicles]

Thank you, be sure to check out the other parts. See you outside!

[@wmluna381]

Good stuff, thank you!

[@OutsideChronicles]

My pleasure, see you outside!

[@somethingbeautiful2212]

Thanks so much for the great information 😃

[@OutsideChronicles]

My pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it. Part 2 is my favorite since it shows all of the features in real-time.

[@marklayton4709]

Great teaching!

[@OutsideChronicles]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mirjetashatri2625]

Thank you a lot!Great video! Greetings from Kosovo :)

[@OutsideChronicles]

Thanks you, hope it taught you something about maps. Very cool that someone from Kosovo watched my video!

[@ajlinh1702]

Thank you so much!

[@OutsideChronicles]

You're welcome! See you outside!

[@ummesalamakhambata235]

brilliantly explained

[@OutsideChronicles]

Thanks so much, glad it was helpful! See you outside!

[@pankajaneel7852]

I teach Geography. Around 1980s I met Mr. Radha Krishna Sharma a cartographer while I was travelling by a train to Bombay from Hyderabad. Mr. Sharma who was sitting next to me noticed, me struggling to learning to read the topo map. He introduced himself to me and taught me how to read the topographical map all along our journey. I thank God and Mr.Sharma for this opportunity. Actually at that that particular time i was going through the map which Mr. Sharma made. I heard your video. You brought back my memory of Mr. Sharma as your way of explanation is very much similar to Mr. Sharma's teaching. I am sure many students will be benefitted by your videos. God Bless you and your family. Amen.

[@OutsideChronicles]

Thank you for such a wonderful comment! I am happy the video was helpful and trigger this memory for you.

[@HIGHTJ813]

Love this video!

[@OutsideChronicles]

Thank you, be sure to check out all 4 parts.

[@arjunaperera5740]

thank you so much. great explanation.

[@OutsideChronicles]

My pleasure, thanks for watching.

[@SURYAKANTA91]

Thank you a lot. Such a great video love from ODISHA

[@OutsideChronicles]

You are welcome, thanks for the nice comment and watching!

[@robinmay-davis3209]

This was really helpful! Great work

[@OutsideChronicles]

Thank you, see you outside!

[@cselfie7234]

Studying for maine guide liscense. Very helpful. Thanks.

[@OutsideChronicles]

My pleasure, good luck!

[@Natural-Causes]

Fantastic tutorial! Nice job

[@OutsideChronicles]

Thank you, see you outside!

[@_nick_d]

Very clear explanation and visual examples. Way better than REI’s video

[@OutsideChronicles]

Wow! You are too kind! Thank you! If you liked this video, part 2, is my favorite. One because it is in Zoar Valley, two because it is a great place to point out topographic features.

[@glennhernandez4366]

Keep it going

[@annmargaretsmith3646]

Thank you!!!!!!!

[@OutsideChronicles]

My pleasure!

[@gregknibbs1347]

Fantastic presentation

[@OutsideChronicles]

My pleasure. Be sure to check out the other 3 parts of my Land Nav Series. Here is the playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PL0JzmvrJfyEQ7mLgesV8Ue6wU-iWwsIqJ

[@tvbox6955]

... excellent lesson 👍🙂

[@OutsideChronicles]

Glad you liked it!

[@vikramkumarthakur3124]

Incredible sir 🙏 I am from India . Thanks uu so much sir

[@davidadeyemo7811]

You are awesome

[@Athreehourtour]

this is a great video/series...thanks

[@OutsideChronicles]

Thank you so much. I was fun to make. My favorite video was putting it all together at Zoar Valley.

[@Athreehourtour]

@@OutsideChronicles yup about to watch next :)

[@dipsylogic1715]

Very very well explained

[@OutsideChronicles]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@Alienshark]

Really good

[@OutsideChronicles]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@BrianHikesAllDay]

Great video!

[@OutsideChronicles]

Thank you, check out part 2 showing features in real-time at Zoar Valley: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5armalnqqiSnNE

[@manaalazeez9844]

wow cool

[@OutsideChronicles]

I appreciate that!

[@goodtimefolkrock]

Thanks for this .....i think i have it

[@OutsideChronicles]

Great, glad it helped, see you outside

[@richardenglish4563]

I recently read a topo map with a "t" after the number "6932t". Any idea what the t means?

[@resurgamarch8747]

What about man-made structures such as roads?

[@northgael1]

Harvey Spectre is teaching map reading? Thanks man!

[@OutsideChronicles]

That's funny, I wish. Ironically, the Suits theme is my ringtone. Thanks for watching!

[@larry5872]

My question is, how do you know where you are on the map?

[@OutsideChronicles]

Check out Triangulation in kzbin.info/www/bejne/gn29qHiIn62Ha5o

[@dianeahorbo8506]

Sir pls do u do zoom classes

[@OutsideChronicles]

Yes, I do custom Zoom classes for various outdoor skills and topics. What are your needs?

[@NoahKazal]

hi

[@wadefreeman7340]

Iam interesting map navigation, but I have no idea before still iam confused seems magic

[@OutsideChronicles]

Take it slow, watch my videos a couple of times and practice, practice, practice.

[@wadefreeman7340]

Ok sir