The ink was still wet when it came through the letterbox this morning, just out is Harvey’s new British Mountain Map for Torridon and Fisherfield.
It was a joy unfolding this and scanning the contours that I’d been shinning up and down a few weeks ago, Harvey’s British Mountain Maps really are where it’s at.
The 1:40,000 map scale is brilliant for tight navigation and for long route planning, the terrain presentation is both understandable and easy on the eye and the accuracy is outstanding, my favourite is always that the banks of the lochs are the right shapes, no rounded off generalisations here.
I’ve been living with the Southern Highlands British Mountain Map for a while now, hills I know very well so I’m always ready to argue with anything printed about the area, and it’s simply the best map of the area I’ve used so it’s great to see the format keep spreading to other areas. The waterproof polythene construction, the flip side with geology, local phone numbers, climbing routes and extra close-up single-mountain maps, it’s all good stuff.
A lot of work goes into these maps and it shows, but the bottom line is that it’s a quality tool for the outdoors that is the right size for everybody, not much outdoor kit you say that about is there.
I took the cover shot (on the timer of course) for the new map on the northeast ridge of A’Mhaighdean, a wee bit below the 948m top you can see on the map above. The weather was on the change just then, broken cloud was swinging in and the hillsides were all light and shade camouflage. The walk back out to Poolewe wasn’t even my radar at that point.
Excellent. They for sale yet?
I ordered mine from the BMC shop 3 weeks ago but haven’t got it yet. I’d begun to assume that since I also pre-ordered the new Andy Kirkpatrick book (which it turns out isn’t due until late September) that I’d be waiting until then for my map :(
…but maybe it’s on its way, we’ll see.
It’s just come in to Harvey’s which is why mine’s here, it’ll be filtering through to the shops now I’d imagine. The 10th is the proper release date I think?
It’s a cracking map, you’ll be pleased I’m sure!
1:40,000 is a great scale I think, if only I could remember to count off contours in 15m instead of 10!
It’s a funny old business maps. I actually like the sterile text approach – keeps my head straight, and I sometimes think that too much detail (1:25,000 for example) can lead to a right faff over nothing.
I was talking to a Skye native and Cuillin guide once who said the Harveys map was mince (even though the Skye MRT use them). Hey ho.
I do really like the Harveys though, I just wished they looked less like an acid trip.
Is that you on two covers now Pete?
The Superwalkers do have the contrast turned right up, a little greyer tinted contour lines would be perfect.
Maps are a funny one, accuracy is one thing and presentation is another, the look of maps can be very varied and in many ways it’s like a painting or a piece of art design, you’ll like it or not.
The British Mountain Maps remind me of my old maps from the 50’s and before, something very human about them.
Two Harvey covers aye. Face carefully hidden in both so as not to put folk off.
The trip for the shot’s in the current Trail mag as well.
I always find Harveys maps a pleasure to use.
With all the clutter left out, they are definitely the best for hill running.
Aye, it’s purely practical kit I think.