Check Out The New Canoeing Maps From LatLong
One aspect of being a canoeist is that if you’re not actively canoeing… you’re planning the next trip, so as soon as I found out about a new series of maps from LatLong I knew I had to check them out. Map maker Arnaud Icard has released three maps covering scenic backcountry parks in Ontario…
Wolf/Crab lakes and area (part of Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park) - $14
When I opened up the flap to the Haliburton Highlands Water Trails map, I expected it to just be a cheap cardboard cover, but was pleasantly surprised to find it was a full cardboard sheath with a velcro enclosure. Right away you will notice both the attention to detail and high quality that Arnaud has put into these maps.
Included in this set was two maps (1:18,000 and 1:36,000) a booklet and a ruler to help you gauge distance. The maps themselves feel just like regular paper, but are actually water, grease and tear-resistant as they are printed on a cream coloured FSC substrate. You still might want to pop them in to a waterproof map case while tripping though so they don’t blow away. Despite being rugged, they can actually still be written upon with pen or pencil to help jot down some notes or highlight a route.
Speaking of routes the included booklet highlights a few including length and a few notes as to why you might want to explore them.
The included ruler is a nice addition rather than guesstimating a length according to a reference legend that would normally be found in the corner of a map. The maps are very clean in design, large scale and easy to read. The clean aesthetic makes it simple to both judge contour and see where the campsites and portages are placed.
We were so impressed with the maps we had to ask Arnaud a few questions…
What was your inspiration to get into making these maps?
Arnaud: It all comes from a genuine love for cartography and maps. The history of maps and mapmaking is absolutely fascinating. The graphical representation of the land goes well beyond a strict utilitarian need (knowing where you are and navigation), and that carries through to modern maps. For LatLong, I wanted to provide a slightly different take on the canoe map: change the form factor a bit (printed 1 side, separate map notes, everything in a tidy folder). As a map user, I also generally dislike maps that are too "big" (too large a sheet). A good reference for me is the USGS 7.5 minute quadrangle maps: Not too big, at very large scale (1:24,000), and quite simply so great looking and readable. I also wanted the maps to be easily writable, easy to annotate so that canoe trippers can make them their own, but yet use a very technical (waterproof/tough) paper that would make the maps last a long time with or without a map case.
2) Do you have plans for additional future maps?
Arnaud: Yes! The next map is well in the works (no ETA yet but hoping to release it late summer/early fall - it's a rather big area to map). The following 2 maps are in the pre-planning stages.
3) Favourite place to paddle or camp?
Arnaud: Oh what a tough question! There is so much to paddle and explore in Ontario. I would certainly put Killarney near the very top of the list, but that list changes all the time! For a quick escape from the city, it's hard to beat HHWT.
We appreciate all of the little touches that went into making these maps and also that they are Canadian made, designed and printed in Toronto. I highly recommend that you check out the maps from LatLong today!
