Map & Compass Courses in the Chilterns

DIY Contour Maps

Anyone who knows me has to humour me when I start to bang on about contour lines. As they are the one element of the landscape which lasts for millennia, they set the gold standard for reliable features by which to navigate. I have an affection for wild places where there are no paths. Successful navigation through these areas relies on contour interpretation.

In June 2023 I wrote an article for The Professional Mountaineer, published by the Mountain Training Association. In it I logically walked through the steps necessary to produce your own contour only map for wherever you want to explore in the UK.

The article is available here as a pdf.