I need some references on UTM grid stuff. I need to learn it. I have till end of March to figure it out. Books, websites, classes, personal help, etc would be great. I have basic compass skills, but have never used the UTM system. Thanks in advance. I am not allowed to use a GPS.
UTM plotting and orienteering help
- Thread starter mesha
- Start date
- Location
- Sandy, Ut
A little more background? Will this be a contest or race of sorts in which they give you a map and UTM coordinates? Or do you have to define coordinates of a certain spot?
Start with Wiki, it breaks down the basics of UTM:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Transverse_Mercator_coordinate_system
How much proficiency will you need with the system?
Start with Wiki, it breaks down the basics of UTM:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Transverse_Mercator_coordinate_system
How much proficiency will you need with the system?
I am doing an adventure race in Moab in march. http://www.gravityplay.com/index.html We do 50 miles of biking kayaking running and rappelling. They give us the map the morning of and we navigate our way with it. 4 man team. I am not the main navigation guy, but will be doing the back up. I check each time he decides on a course of action to see if we end up with the same thing. If I don't get whats going on we will be wasting time figuring out I was wrong
So, I need as much proficiency as I need, if that makes sense. I have read some of the basics and get what the UTM is, but will re read the wiki stuff and I am searching online. I am worried about the actual practical application.
So, I need as much proficiency as I need, if that makes sense. I have read some of the basics and get what the UTM is, but will re read the wiki stuff and I am searching online. I am worried about the actual practical application.scoutabout
None
About all he should need. UTM is just a number of meters east and a number of meters north of a fixed point. It's super easy, and I use it for everything when possible. I know how far a meter is, I can't eyeball a fraction of a second, minute or degree (I'm sure some can, but I can't).
UTM is UT awesome.
anderson750
I'm working on it Rose
- Location
- Price, Utah
X2. With enough practice and use, I would think you would be able to figure out a reasonably close estimation of where something is on a map if you were trying to plot it.
I hate when I have to change the coordinate system on my GPS off of UTM.
- Location
- Sandy, Ut
The hardest part about UTM imo (and I make no claim to be a UTM expert) is boucing between zones. So long as your going to be in one region (which you will be) then its that much easier and as Steve pointed out, a meter is just that, a meter, a second at the equator is greatly different than a second in Canada, etc.
"On the equator at sea level, one longitudinal second measures 30.92 metres, a longitudinal minute is 1855 metres and a longitudinal degree is 111.3 kilometres. At 30° a longitudinal second is 26.76 metres, at Greenwich (51° 28' 38" N) 19.22 metres, and at 60° it is 15.42 metres."
"On the equator at sea level, one longitudinal second measures 30.92 metres, a longitudinal minute is 1855 metres and a longitudinal degree is 111.3 kilometres. At 30° a longitudinal second is 26.76 metres, at Greenwich (51° 28' 38" N) 19.22 metres, and at 60° it is 15.42 metres."
scoutabout
None
For "zones" proper 95% of trips would occur in 11N (Nevada, eastern California), 12N (Utah, Arizona, Idaho), or 13N (Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Montana). Sometimes shorthand is used when dealing inside a 1000m area. So SLC might be at 12N 422000E 4510000N, areas around there might be shorthanded as 100E 0200N, assuming a certain starting point. I've made it seem more confusing than it really is.
Sweet.