Although this isn't the most opportune time to introduce a new map, National Geographic has come out with a new one to the Catskill Park that has been in the works for quite a while. It is similar in format to their others, namely their 5 map set for the Adirondacks.
Double sided, large (37" x 25.5"), waterproof, with public/private land shown in contrasting colors. Trails are numbered, with icons for parking, camping, leantos, fishing, swimming, and paddling.
Unfortunately, it has some drawbacks. Nat'l Geo incorporated the USGS data, which means the errors on the USGS quads are repeated here as well as some trail errors.
I have a problem with any map that uses so much of its footprint with insets, trying to be a 'hiking guide on a map'. In this case there are far too many insets: The name and corresponding trail numbers for 117 trails, Guidelines for Outdoor Recreation, Leave No Trace, plugs for 3 unnecessary but worthwhile hiking/stewardship organizations, Stream Crossings, Waterfall Safety, Weather, Heat, Hypothermia, Winter Gear, Bear Safety, If you become Lost or Injured', DEC, DEP.
So instead of all of those square inches ( 2.7 square feet ) dedicated to mountains and trails, it's a map, guidebook, and a nanny all rolled up in one.
It's nice to have a large map with so much on it, but there are deficiencies that will bother people. The map concentrates on the highlighted 3500' peaks. That's a plus for some and less so for others. Unlike the Venture Out map, the NG map is largely about the Catskill Park not the Catskill mountains. The font, contour lines and colors make it easier to read than the last edition of the VO map, but it's suffers in many ways to the more accurate NYNJTC maps, and the VO map's accuracy and wider range of mountains covered.
The map will appeal to hikers who appreciate having so much on one large, double-sided map(a disadvantage to many). And a nice at-a-glance map for getting around the Catskill Park with its sometimes confusing road navigation. It's an interesting addition to Catskill maps and I'm certain they'll sell a boat load of them.
Double sided, large (37" x 25.5"), waterproof, with public/private land shown in contrasting colors. Trails are numbered, with icons for parking, camping, leantos, fishing, swimming, and paddling.
Unfortunately, it has some drawbacks. Nat'l Geo incorporated the USGS data, which means the errors on the USGS quads are repeated here as well as some trail errors.
I have a problem with any map that uses so much of its footprint with insets, trying to be a 'hiking guide on a map'. In this case there are far too many insets: The name and corresponding trail numbers for 117 trails, Guidelines for Outdoor Recreation, Leave No Trace, plugs for 3 unnecessary but worthwhile hiking/stewardship organizations, Stream Crossings, Waterfall Safety, Weather, Heat, Hypothermia, Winter Gear, Bear Safety, If you become Lost or Injured', DEC, DEP.
So instead of all of those square inches ( 2.7 square feet ) dedicated to mountains and trails, it's a map, guidebook, and a nanny all rolled up in one.
It's nice to have a large map with so much on it, but there are deficiencies that will bother people. The map concentrates on the highlighted 3500' peaks. That's a plus for some and less so for others. Unlike the Venture Out map, the NG map is largely about the Catskill Park not the Catskill mountains. The font, contour lines and colors make it easier to read than the last edition of the VO map, but it's suffers in many ways to the more accurate NYNJTC maps, and the VO map's accuracy and wider range of mountains covered.
The map will appeal to hikers who appreciate having so much on one large, double-sided map(a disadvantage to many). And a nice at-a-glance map for getting around the Catskill Park with its sometimes confusing road navigation. It's an interesting addition to Catskill maps and I'm certain they'll sell a boat load of them.
