Re: 2nd Class Hiking Requirement

On Fri, 5 Sep 1997, Godbout, Marc wrote:

> I've always had a problem with the "map you've drawn" part. Nobody I
> know who regularly go into the back country draws their own maps. And I
> don't see it as a skill that's necessary nowadays. USGS topos are
> accurate and readily available. I'd rather show a boy how to get
> accurate information and how to use a copier or printer (for maps on CD
> programs). Then trace their intended route (this *is* important) as
> part of the planning of the hike.
>
> I think the hand-drawn map is a throwback to the days before Xerox
> changed our lives.

Once upon a time the final First Class requirement was to go on a hike
with a buddy (overnight) and draw a sketch map of your path. I think
this is a holdover from that.

As to the usefulness of drawing a map: well, it was useful once. Before
satellites and aerial photography. People who draw maps now get a degree
before doing it. Doing it well is beyond the reach of most youth.

When I tried to do a similar requirement for the Canadian Venturer
Outdoorsman Award, I did it by taking notes of landmarks along the way
and transcribing onto a map later. (The requirement here is to do an
overnight hike to an area your Company has not visited before and to draw
a map of a trail, stream or something else.)

pat

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