Following the level of interest in the calibrated Explorer Grid map for the 1:25,000 scale, several readers have enquired about a similar grid for the Landranger 1:50,000 maps. This would be a far longer and more tedious task, or so I thought, because I obtained the Explorer gridlines automatically from Memory-Map using the ‘Show Map Outlines’ option. I don’t have the digital Landrangers with the same boundaries as the paper equivalents, in fact I don’t think they are available in that form, which rules out that shortcut.
After some poking around on the OS website and mulling over some possibilities with Photoshop, it turned out to be as easy as the Explorer Grid and I produced it within a day, building on the experience gained from the first grid map, which isn’t bad at all. The OS website has a low resolution featureless outline map showing a rough grid (an imagemap file actually) which I pressed into service. I enlarged it and plotted the grid using Photoshop paths, which is actually better than the automatic method since I can easily set the line style, width and colour - I set it to match the Landranger magenta livery. Again the map numbers are transparent which allows the underlying detail to be seen at high zoom levels but keeps them readable at lower levels.
Generally the Landrangers seem to be more popular for walking in Scotland where the lack of superfine detail is not so important in large tracts of wild mountainous country, and I understand there is interest in this grid map for the approaching TGO Challenge.
The usual drill: email me via the Contact page of the main website for the URL to download it (6.25Mb file).
6 Comments
Geoff, once again I’m in awe of you. Perfect for finding which Landranger numbers are needed for the TGO Challenge.
I wonder if anybody else is interested in how Geoff has converted an image into a map? I can’t help thinking the ability to do that would be interesting and useful.
John
Thanks John.
The accuracy of the map outlines is as good as the original low resolution image will allow, just remember that if your route just clips the corner of a map for instance, or meanders close to a map border, it would be worth checking the actual paper maps before buying.
The conversion of images to maps is described in the MM Help File under ‘Self-scan maps’. It’s quite straightforward once you get used to it but I very rarely have the need, in fact the grid maps are the only examples so far.
I was wondering if you could give my some advice. I’ve done quite a bit of hiking and camping in a the last few years, the
most recent being a 10 day hike down the south coast of cornwall.I am now seriously looking into a very long planned
expedition through england, into central wales and then maybe up to scotland. I expect to be made redundent soon and am frankly
looking for a way of getting out of the city and living ‘off grid’ if you will. Hiking and wild camping for as long as i
can. I have numerous reasons for doing this but am aware that this is a a much larger undertaking then anything i’ve done
before.
Are their any areas where i could i could camp undisturbed for a number of days? So much of our countryside is owned by
various farmers/landowners or set aside as national parks where i do not think my presence would be overly welcome, and i
do not wish to get in anyones way.
I’d welcome any suggested routes, destinations of note or advice for a long trip. I’d be a bit like a modern hobo but
without the borderline insanity i hope.
Any suggestions would be greatfully received, as i’m trying to flesh out this idea.
Cameron - email sent.
Could I have a link to this too please
i could do with the link for this to…
regards Pete