Folding Maps

Beginner's Guide to Backpacking

Folding Maps
Paper maps are rather fragile things, so I like to carry them inside a one-gallon Ziplock bag along with my compass and altimeter. Unfortunately, folding a standard USGS 7 1/2 minute quad into quarters produces a folded map that's slightly too big to fit a one-gallon Ziplock. A slightly more sophisticated method is necessary. Whatever method you choose, use it consistently. Nothing destroys a map faster than repeatedly folding it in different ways.
To use the method I like, start with the map face up with north at the top – the same position you'd use if you just wanted to read it. Bring the top edge down to the bottom edge with the printed side inside, as shown in the diagram, and crease the fold. Now bring the top edge back up to the middle crease, this time with the printed side out. Bring the bottom edge up to the middle crease in the same way, again with the printed side facing out. Now bring the left edge to the right edge. Finally, bring the left edge back to the middle. Do the same with the right edge. The folded map will have the name visible in the upper right corner and will fit easily into a one-gallon Ziplock. I store my folded maps upright in a shoebox in alphabetical order with cardboard dividers indicating groups of letters (A-D, E-G, H-L, etc.).
An alternative is the accordion fold. Start as before, with the map's printed side facing up. Bring the right edge to the left edge, (printed side inside), make a sharp crease, then unfold the map flat again, as shown in the illustration. Now bring the right edge to the center, making a quarter fold. Fold the right edge back to righthand outermost edge of the folded map, making an eighth fold. Use these folds as a guide to continue folding until you have eight accordion-like folds. Now fold the map in Z-like thirds. With this technique, you can look at any part of the map without unfolding the entire sheet.

Next Page: Tracking Your Position in a Desert Canyon

Site Map -