|
Teva is the Hebrew word for nature and this is the place you will find seasonal tips to help you enjoy the richness of nature while "walking lightly" over the face of the earth. Here is
where you will learn to build wilderness shelters, treat poison ivy with nature's own cures, tap maple trees, discover which tinder burns even when wet and much more. You will also learn which edible plants to
harvest throughout the year and which plants to use as home remedies for head colds, to prevent travel sickness, settle upset stomachs or just to feel better.
|
|
Reading a
Topographical Map
Topographical maps are invaluable tools to have on any hiking trip whether to a state park or wilderness area. They provide all sorts of information
that can make your trip more interesting, less difficult and keep you from having to be found by Search and Rescue personnel. Each map is for a particular area that might range from county size to a patch of
land 10 miles x 10 miles. Usually, it's better to have a more detailed topographical map even if it means you have to take several maps to where you are going.
Not only do these maps show you direction (all are oriented to the north), they show you in a series of lines what the elevation of the area is, where bodies
of water are located, marsh areas, forest areas and will often point out an old cemetery, small airfield or other unusual site. Most people use them to read the terrain so they can plan their hikes
accordingly. For example, you may know that you want to hike from Nowhere State Park to Someplace State Park and it's only 2 miles between them. But, when you look at the Topo map for the area, you see
there is a 12,000 foot mountain between the two poins. Well, maybe you want to hike over a 12,000 mountain. But, maybe you don't so you plan a 10 mile hike through the valley and up a pass between
them.
The best way to start using topographical maps is to get a map of an area with which you have some familiarity. This should be an area with some hills
or changes in elevation so that you can learn to match landscape to map lines. Take the map to that place and orient yourself, using a compass, to the north. Stand in as clear an area as possible so you
can see surrounding horizon or hills. Begin with the most obvious feature you can see and match it on the map. Identify as many features as you can. Pick one of the features and actually walk or
hike it. This is the best way for you to see what the elevation lines on the map mean. Keep in mind that the closer are lines on a Topo map, the steeper the elevation. If possible, find a
place where the lines make a solid brown mark and you'll see a sheer cliff in front of you.
|
|
