What
Makes an Orienteering Map, an Orienteering Map?
While
it's true that a good orienteer can navigate on most any type of
map, most Orienteering maps are drafted to the mapping
standards developed by the International
Orienteering Federation. Mapping standards, such as scale,
symbols, color, and level of detail, help ensure a consistent
Orienteering experience around the world.
Can
I make an Orienteering Map?
You
can make an Orienteering map! The tools to get started
are free; OCAD demo software, contour data, aerial photos, image
software. All you contribute is the time and patience to put it
all together. Use of a scanner is required to scan your
fieldwork into the computer. A GPS receiver is helpful, but not
necessary. Here are the steps and some useful information to get
you started. Please note that drafting the map in OCAD is step
five, not step one.
What
Are the Steps in Making an Orienteering Map?
The Orienteering
Association of Western Australia did a great job
of outlining the steps in its "Step-by-Step
Guide to Making Parkland, School and Street
Orienteering Maps."
-
Select
a suitable area
-
Obtain
permission to use the area
-
Prepare
a base map
-
Select
the map scale
-
Do
the field work
-
Draft
the map
-
Print
the map
-
Archive
the map
