How to Read a Topo Map

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  • čas přidán 19. 12. 2016
  • 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.
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Komentáře • 220

  • @PhilAndersonOutside
    @PhilAndersonOutside Před 2 lety +18

    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.

  • @epicnoobster4891
    @epicnoobster4891 Před 3 lety +272

    Anyone here for your Sciene class?

  • @phillower8806
    @phillower8806 Před 2 lety +11

    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
    @excxptFN Před 3 lety +51

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

  • @nosleepdelirium1214
    @nosleepdelirium1214 Před 5 měsíci +4

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

  • @AliceAttentionWhore
    @AliceAttentionWhore Před 2 lety +33

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

  • @linderella83
    @linderella83 Před 5 lety +67

    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!

  • @mrl7067
    @mrl7067 Před 3 lety +188

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

  • @ditzydoo4378
    @ditzydoo4378 Před 4 lety +10

    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.

  • @DisciplesOnCampus
    @DisciplesOnCampus Před rokem +1

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

  • @huriye161
    @huriye161 Před 3 lety +13

    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
      @cedarrockcabin3633 Před 2 lety

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

  • @nwprtbrths
    @nwprtbrths Před 3 lety +8

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

  • @bobclark8516
    @bobclark8516 Před rokem +3

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

  • @DinotechCa2427195
    @DinotechCa2427195 Před 7 lety +19

    Thanks REI this is great!

  • @Jeevithaization
    @Jeevithaization Před 6 lety +3

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

  • @james33338
    @james33338 Před 3 lety +10

    great video anyone know the background music?

  • @lawrenceomang2712
    @lawrenceomang2712 Před 6 lety +5

    A very detailed and concise explanation.. Thanks

  • @dreamaiz
    @dreamaiz Před 6 lety +29

    very helpful and easy to understand!

    • @SSP2561
      @SSP2561 Před 4 měsíci

      Ta ma de gongcheng

  • @sketchthinking4370
    @sketchthinking4370 Před 4 lety +2

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

  • @SplashyCannonBall
    @SplashyCannonBall Před rokem

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

  • @MyTube4Utoo
    @MyTube4Utoo Před 4 lety +8

    A good video with lots of info. Thanks!

  • @BenKuebler
    @BenKuebler Před rokem

    Thanks REI ! so helpful

  • @cedarrockcabin3633
    @cedarrockcabin3633 Před 2 lety +1

    Excellent! Thank you!

  • @xianghuiwang1078
    @xianghuiwang1078 Před 4 lety +5

    Great explanation! I learned a lot.

  • @MrApplecyber
    @MrApplecyber Před 4 lety +1

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

  • @emmanuelperez9490
    @emmanuelperez9490 Před 4 lety +1

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

  • @StevenTorrey
    @StevenTorrey Před 7 lety +12

    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.

  • @olgareyes6822
    @olgareyes6822 Před 3 lety +3

    My my teacher tells me to watch this is so helpful

  • @robinkarmakar9678
    @robinkarmakar9678 Před 5 lety +7

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

  • @k283535
    @k283535 Před 3 lety

    Thank you Thank you Thank you team

  • @vandanachaturvedi6520
    @vandanachaturvedi6520 Před 3 lety +3

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

  • @clairenelson6271
    @clairenelson6271 Před rokem +6

    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

  • @KshitijKV
    @KshitijKV Před 7 lety +9

    AMAZING!

  • @jaymejia8822
    @jaymejia8822 Před 7 lety +4

    love REI

  • @manirakizadidier822
    @manirakizadidier822 Před 5 lety +4

    this video is really cool!! it gives idea.

  • @varshaprasad8375
    @varshaprasad8375 Před 3 lety +2

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

    • @rei
      @rei  Před 3 lety +1

      Thanks for watching and best of luck, Varsha!

  • @DeePsix501
    @DeePsix501 Před 7 lety +9

    Great Vid REI!

    • @Ivkl21
      @Ivkl21 Před 3 lety +1

      ur the first to comment

  • @crescent_vixen7443
    @crescent_vixen7443 Před 4 lety +3

    thank you. well explained

  • @dharitshah4484
    @dharitshah4484 Před 7 lety +4

    great video
    it helped me

  • @seeratbhatia8405
    @seeratbhatia8405 Před rokem

    Sorts out the information worth keeping: thank you!

    • @rei
      @rei  Před rokem +1

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

  • @ShenState
    @ShenState Před 10 měsíci

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

  • @marlimiller6732
    @marlimiller6732 Před 3 lety +7

    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.

  • @fivestarcorporation1901
    @fivestarcorporation1901 Před 6 lety +3

    GREAT VIDEO HELPFUL

  • @hiiamjustacoolrandomuser168

    Great vidoe

  • @ronavz3915
    @ronavz3915 Před 4 lety

    amazing video! thanks

  • @amankumarjyotishi9711
    @amankumarjyotishi9711 Před 6 lety +1

    Awesome video

  • @sarbjeetsarbgill2144
    @sarbjeetsarbgill2144 Před 5 lety +3

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

  • @nicholwanasinghe4401
    @nicholwanasinghe4401 Před 4 lety +2

    wow. nice video!

  • @prashusharma455
    @prashusharma455 Před 4 lety +4

    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

  • @thelughxperience6971
    @thelughxperience6971 Před 4 lety +1

    amazing!

  • @mahima6735
    @mahima6735 Před 5 lety +1

    Tnx

  • @KaleStewart
    @KaleStewart Před rokem

    thank u

  • @piousminion7822
    @piousminion7822 Před 2 lety +1

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

  • @jeanle2889
    @jeanle2889 Před 2 lety

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

  • @marissahuish5461
    @marissahuish5461 Před 2 lety

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

    • @rei
      @rei  Před 2 lety

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

  • @xiesalicaceae2482
    @xiesalicaceae2482 Před 2 lety +1

    This is great! Thank you!

  • @caylanicole8671
    @caylanicole8671 Před 6 lety +4

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

  • @dawoodahmad600
    @dawoodahmad600 Před 3 lety

    Helpful

  • @x2malandy
    @x2malandy Před 4 lety

    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!

  • @TheUnboxedCat
    @TheUnboxedCat Před 3 lety

    very helpful for me

  • @redman4bills
    @redman4bills Před 4 lety +2

    useful 👍

  • @basantemaje678
    @basantemaje678 Před 4 lety

    Excellent 👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌

  • @nicolenew1708
    @nicolenew1708 Před 10 měsíci

    ❤❤❤

  • @johnwhite3476
    @johnwhite3476 Před 5 lety +24

    Here for geosystems 🤦🏾‍♂️

  • @pradipray9826
    @pradipray9826 Před 5 lety +3

    Thanks,help me

  • @jefferyjames8292
    @jefferyjames8292 Před 2 měsíci

    I miss so much learning geography in school

  • @MrDrewcallahan
    @MrDrewcallahan Před 6 lety +10

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

  • @raiden.real6218
    @raiden.real6218 Před 2 lety

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

  • @cydneicyd8767
    @cydneicyd8767 Před 3 lety

    What color is steep on this type of map?

  • @peterkenefick576
    @peterkenefick576 Před 4 lety +1

    Villa kids where you at

  • @subratamoitra3337
    @subratamoitra3337 Před 4 lety +1

    good

  • @samudranath8542
    @samudranath8542 Před 3 lety +1

    Excellent 👌👌👌

  • @paulannamattathil3709
    @paulannamattathil3709 Před 5 lety

    Great

  • @angelaz4523
    @angelaz4523 Před 3 lety +1

    Anyone here for your Geography class?

  • @renusubba2842
    @renusubba2842 Před 7 lety +6

    Well explained. Who is the narrator?

    • @schanemassey3861
      @schanemassey3861 Před 7 lety +1

      Renu Subba my wife Sarah bashard

    • @holdenholt7266
      @holdenholt7266 Před 6 lety +1

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

  • @gabriel713281
    @gabriel713281 Před 3 lety

    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 😂

  • @puprilla
    @puprilla Před 2 lety

    I'm learning for better fishing lol 🤣

  • @mohamed.elmandouh
    @mohamed.elmandouh Před 3 lety +1

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

  • @LeBeauJoel
    @LeBeauJoel Před rokem

    Here 25 minutes before my geography test

  • @josegurrola9021
    @josegurrola9021 Před 2 lety

    ENT 113 sent me here

  • @dontavious2k475
    @dontavious2k475 Před 3 lety +2

    Anyone here for earth science?

  • @bretknight3813
    @bretknight3813 Před 4 lety

    End card links aren't working. =[

  • @shahirkhan6344
    @shahirkhan6344 Před 3 lety

    👏

  • @rosesienna9018
    @rosesienna9018 Před měsícem

    Here for hsie class 😢

  • @terryfletcher4251
    @terryfletcher4251 Před 2 lety

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

  • @jonphil-gg9et
    @jonphil-gg9et Před rokem

    What are the parts of topographic map

    • @rei
      @rei  Před rokem

      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.

  • @sheetalhargude1126
    @sheetalhargude1126 Před 2 lety

    👍🏻🙏🏻

    • @rei
      @rei  Před 2 lety

      😁Thanks for watching!

  • @cjimmer4877
    @cjimmer4877 Před 6 lety +2

    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.

  • @Hi-zd1gt
    @Hi-zd1gt Před 6 lety +2

    hi
    gooda

  • @ellisho4945
    @ellisho4945 Před 3 lety

    Mona chin I see you

  • @remyhamel8694
    @remyhamel8694 Před 3 lety

    I'm here for DayZ..😂

  • @overpopulation5546
    @overpopulation5546 Před 5 lety +1

    Anyone from TH Rogers Mr. G's class?

  • @williamdayton2173
    @williamdayton2173 Před 9 měsíci

    Rough liver sausage let’s hippie it

  • @Churrb
    @Churrb Před 3 lety

    POV: your doing IXL BB1

  • @blackmaninsuit7268
    @blackmaninsuit7268 Před 3 lety

    POV: you are in your science class

  • @Jeremy.Patrich
    @Jeremy.Patrich Před 3 lety +1

    This was really helpful! Don't forget Township & Range!
    czcams.com/video/MrSYkVi5tNA/video.html

  • @avadickerson3010
    @avadickerson3010 Před 2 lety

    Y’all we are all here for science class it’s so anoyying

  • @williamdayton2173
    @williamdayton2173 Před 9 měsíci

    Tornados and garages 3