Mapping for Dummies

[PhilJ]

I am going to try and create my first orienteering map for an area that I have negoitiated access to. It is an open area covered by an Iron Age fort

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Bethlehem,+Llandeilo&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=16.052594,46.450195&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Bethlehem,+Llandeilo,+United+Kingdom&ll=51.902037,-3.903537&spn=0.008169,0.022681&t=h&z=16

Does anyone have a mapping guide for dummies? I have a GPS, OCAD and a 10m contour only base map. What are the first steps other mappers do when they have a new area to map?

Does BO host a mapping course?

Any tips/hints/starting off ideas would be appreciated.

[Miner]

There was a previous thread on this topic posted round about Dec 13th if you want to take a look.

I would also be interested in a mapping course but there don't seem to be any and the BOF mapping conference was aimed at experienced mappers. I have done some mapping for schools and would like to try mapping a small but more complex area, but I have no idea where to start with mapping contours.

[redpossum]

Members of BOF Map Group do hold mapping courses when there is a demand - recent ones I have been in involved in were held for EAOA at Colchester, NWOA at Burnley and EMOA at Nottingham.

If you are seriously interested please contact the Map Group Chairman, Colin Spears -mapchair@britishorienteering.org.uk and something can be arranged.

A very good starting point for surveying is Robin Harvey's, now out of print, book 'Mapmaking for Orienteers'. It is the definitive guide to fieldworking. The section on cartography, however, is very out of date but does give an insight into colour separations.

[AndyC]

In the NE Phil Batts is running an OCAD mapping course on the 12th March -details are on both CLOK & NATO's websites

[Red Adder]

Don't BOAC sometimes put on mapping events at Longmoor ?

[AndyC]

Don't BOAC sometimes put on mapping events at Longmoor ?

BAOC dyslexia lures KO? (if I had a pound for every time I mistyped I'd get a few free events in!)

and they do and announce it on their fixture list

[MIE]

Don't BOAC sometimes put on mapping events at Longmoor ?

and they do and announce it on their fixture list

Next one is April 9th and 10th. There is accomodation if you need it.

It is mainly OCAD based to give an intro to using it AND utilising
available base maps. Instructor is usually Phill Batts (CLOK) and there is a small
charge for food, accom and materials. Details on http://www.baoc.org.uk/events.
The booking info. is there as well.

[Miner]

Just a shame the BAOC course is the same weekend as the British Sprint and Middle Championships.

[Big Jon]

These so called "mapping" courses are just about OCAD - ie the cartography side of mapping. The important and difficult part is the survey. If BOF Mapping Group was serious it would be putting more of these on and fewer of the OCAD which can largely be learnt by opening the programme and using it.

[Muddy Boots]

Following on with Big Jon's point, when the Map Group considers its annual awards for mapping, is the quality of the survey taken into account or are maps judged solely on conformity with ISOM and a neat map layout? Presumably for Level A events, with the proposed increased involvement of an appointed Map Adviser, the accuracy of the field survey will be taken into account. For Level B events should the Controller be required to produce a short report at the end of the event?

[Big Jon]

BOF map awards have never (as far as I am aware) had any involvement in survey quality - merely artistic merit.