Drakensberg hiking maps

Hi guys.

I have the entire range of the Slingsby era maps (bought circa 91'), and have always been very happy with their durability, joking once that they could almost be used for a groundsheet and still be good. The only issue was the clarity/resolution of the data. This was addressed with the new series of Geomaps, and the first one that i got was logically Map 1. The clarity was great, orientated true north and is almost indestructible.

Anyhow when i got the second map i was highly disappointed. On the first trip it rained a bit and the paper map almost dissolved before my eyes, my disappointment changed to disgust. I am almost happier to use my old maps because of this.

What does a berg geomap cost these days, and how much would it cost to print them in tyvec. What would we be prepared to pay to have a decent set of tyvec maps that will last for 15 years plus? Cant we get them to make tyvec ones?

Anyone?

Had the same happen with me. I then scaned all my maps to A0. What I now do is print the area that i will behiking in, put d.c.fix over it. I then use that "map" for most of the time, but i still have the geomap with me so that i can still use it if I need to.

I also pulled the maps into Auto Cad so that you can work out gps coord. You can also estemate km. It is normaly with in 100m over 5km.It is a nice toy.

Just ordered map 2 from thegeoshop.co.za, R79 including postage. The last map I brought in person was R45, at Cobham.
I've been meaning to scan my maps as well (to bring in to various programs, and take along the sections I need while keeping the whole thing safe and dry as a back up in the pack, same as Aux) , but just haven't got round to it.

I have heard of tyvec maps but could not find any one to help me get a set yet. I do the same I scan the part of the map I need, then laminate two portions bact to front and keep the original save in a water proof pouch and use it only for emergency.

I bought maps 1-6 yesterday and was wondering if anyone have some advise in protecting the maps other than making copies of the part you are going to use.

Has anyone tried Nikwax Map Proof?

Get yourself a sealable waterproof map case - I've used them in several adventure races including full on submersion during kloofing legs. Your map will stay bone dry - that is until you get it caught on some bloudraad during the often-forgotten 5th discipline of AR: fence-crossing!

I got mine at Drifters (various sizes) for about R150 I think?

Or you can opt for the very much cheaper and probably equally effective alternative - zip lock bags, they are big enough that if you fold the map backwards it will be visible, but they are double zipped, and if you don't let the bag get punctured, they maps will stay dry...

Hi
Karl Beath (Serious tribe), do you know if one can still get Slingsby's maps nowdays? I have heard that they are out of print and fairly rare.

go to www.berg.co.za/maps_index.htm and you can download them.

In my experience, ziploc bags are about as waterproof as a sieve! I suppose they will do fine as long as you don't go swimming with your maps...