Is map-reading a lost art? In era of GPS, here's what map fans say we're losing
I make maps of natural surface, single track trails, basically mountain biking &#x2F; hiking trails, for a local volunteer group. The workflow is typically mapping things electronically into OpenStreetMap, then exporting data from there and making print maps in two versions: one with &quot;you are here&quot; stuff for trailheads&#x2F;intersections and the other for general use&#x2F;reference.<p>Typically these trails have marker posts at major intersections with a number on them, often an indicator pointing the way to the next number, and a colored arrow indicating the loop they are on.<p>After I started doing this, and watching people reading the maps at the trailhead, I was amazed that user split into two stark camps: those who can read maps and those who can&#x27;t. For those who could, the maps are exactly what they need, be them print or on some OSM app or whatnot.<p>For those that couldn&#x27;t... They would get amazingly lost quickly, even when the trails are sight-distance, no more than 100&#x27; or so, apart. I&#x27;ve helped folks who, as example, I show that the post has a #2 on the top, I show them the direction to #3 and that they can follow the &quot;yellow&quot; arrows, and they just freeze. And then sometimes ask if there&#x27;s an app that will tell them which way to turn.<p>I grew up looking at maps, using them with signage and such for navigation as I learned to drive, and I never realized just how much I took this skill for granted until I encountered other adults who simply can&#x27;t.<p>(An example map: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;trailmaps.app&#x2F;pdf&#x2F;riverbends&#x2F;CRAMBA_River_Bends_Trail_Map_2022-Nov-29.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;trailmaps.app&#x2F;pdf&#x2F;riverbends&#x2F;CRAMBA_River_Bends_Trai...</a>)