| Land navigation is easy to do provided you have | | | | lines, and simple contour lines. |
| a good compass and preferably a topo map. Even | | | | On each topo map (usually at the bottom) you'll |
| in deep-forest, navigation is relatively easy with | | | | find a listed Contour Interval. This number tells |
| these tools because you can get a simple sense | | | | you the change in elevation from one contour line |
| of direction, as well as identify terrain features. | | | | to the next. |
| Let's look at the purpose of a topo map. | | | | The index lines will be bold and will have an |
| Normal street maps are typically 2D. They show | | | | elevation written on them. There will be 4 regular |
| you North and South, East and West. They show | | | | lines between index lines. |
| you the direction of streets and even the location | | | | So, if the Contour Interval is 20 feet, there will be |
| of landmarks. | | | | 100 feet of elevation change between index lines. |
| But there is one element that a typical street | | | | There will be 4 regular contour lines and 20 feet |
| map doesn't show - elevation. | | | | between each line. |
| Without elevation, everything looks flat. What | | | | These lines curve around and show terrain |
| looks like a simple hike on a street map may | | | | features such as hills, saddles, ridges, valley, |
| become insurmountable once you arrive at the | | | | depressions, draws, and spurs. |
| location and find it mountainous. | | | | The closer together the contour lines, the steeper |
| A topo map gives you that missing dimension. | | | | the slope. This allows you to see the layout plus |
| One of the things you'll notice immediately on a | | | | the third dimension. With this information, you can |
| topo map is the contour lines. | | | | know before you get there if it's going to be a |
| There are two main types of contour lines. Index | | | | tough hike. |