Chapter of
"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all"
--HELEN KELLER
Cartographer Will Tefft will ask us to
Get Lost
Dear Explorers and Friends:
The next gathering of the New England Chapter of The Explorers Club will be held on Tuesday March 6th, when we welcome fellow Explorer Club member Will Tefft (FN'00), an expert on cartography.
When it comes to maps and the gadgets that help us make them or make better sense of them, Will Tefft can speak with authority. Formerly of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Will resides in Santa Barbara, California where he works for Map Link, a leading dealer in maps from around the world. Will is an Explorer's Club Fellow elected in 2000, and is a member of the Southern California and San Diego Chapters. Most of the time Will is either traveling the globe talking to folks about maps and map making; or is out there field checking the maps himself.
While Will was trained in geographic fieldwork at the University of New Mexico; most of his experience has been on-the-job, out there, bringing this information, and sometimes the maps themselves, back from the field. Will does not intend to show slides, but does plan to cover much ground in a presentation he calls "Get lost, a buyer's guide to maps and map tools". As he explains:
"Maps and map making has come a long way in the last 50 years, but many of the same conditions explorers have had to face in acquiring and compiling maps still hold true, or should hold true. My talk will begin with a present-day survey of the map maker's art, from the perspective of one who has actually contributed information to published maps from his time in the field. Experiences in Central Asia and North America will be recalled.
Sourcing reliable maps can often be as much of challenge as making them. I will describe some of the adventures in procuring maps from map agencies and individuals around the world. Suggestions for sourcing this material will be offered for the benefit of the practicing explorer.
I will also describe some of the tools an expedition member can make use of to make, or verify, their own maps. I will describe and evaluate a few GPS receivers, compasses, and other tools I have found reliable.
My experience is most certainly an individual one. I expect a spirited discussion from Club members."
The next gathering of the New England Chapter of The Explorers Club will be held on Tuesday March 6th, when we welcome fellow Explorer Club member Will Tefft (FN'00), an expert on cartography.
When it comes to maps and the gadgets that help us make them or make better sense of them, Will Tefft can speak with authority. Formerly of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Will resides in Santa Barbara, California where he works for Map Link, a leading dealer in maps from around the world. Will is an Explorer's Club Fellow elected in 2000, and is a member of the Southern California and San Diego Chapters. Most of the time Will is either traveling the globe talking to folks about maps and map making; or is out there field checking the maps himself.
While Will was trained in geographic fieldwork at the University of New Mexico; most of his experience has been on-the-job, out there, bringing this information, and sometimes the maps themselves, back from the field. Will does not intend to show slides, but does plan to cover much ground in a presentation he calls "Get lost, a buyer's guide to maps and map tools". As he explains:
"Maps and map making has come a long way in the last 50 years, but many of the same conditions explorers have had to face in acquiring and compiling maps still hold true, or should hold true. My talk will begin with a present-day survey of the map maker's art, from the perspective of one who has actually contributed information to published maps from his time in the field. Experiences in Central Asia and North America will be recalled.
Sourcing reliable maps can often be as much of challenge as making them. I will describe some of the adventures in procuring maps from map agencies and individuals around the world. Suggestions for sourcing this material will be offered for the benefit of the practicing explorer.
I will also describe some of the tools an expedition member can make use of to make, or verify, their own maps. I will describe and evaluate a few GPS receivers, compasses, and other tools I have found reliable.
My experience is most certainly an individual one. I expect a spirited discussion from Club members."