Planning a solo trip, normally with a group I would bring 2 of each map. For a solo I'm not sure how much it would help. Will only have one pack and a thwart map bag. If something goes wrong, both packs would be in jeopardy.

Just curios as to how many sets of maps you all bring on a solo trip?

P.S. my route this trip involves 6 different maps. If it were only one or two I wouldn't even worry about it.

For my trip I am bringing both Voyageur and Fisher maps. I mark the Fisher maps with all the little bits and pieces of information I have gained on the area and I keep the Voyageur maps clean because I use them for navigating during the day. I find it very useful to have different maps from different manufactures. One map may have info the other doesn't.

I bring one set usually, but also have my itinerary written down, along with a GPS, marking out the portages. If a complete park map is available, such as WCPP, I'll take that along.

Each person in our group has maps and compass. I make a point of asking Qs about where we are or where are going as away of making sure people are following along as we paddle. Call me anal but things do happen.
CB

I make sure there are at least one set of maps per canoe. I use the same rule for solo's, but generally have two sets then.

I usually have two sets, each one from a different manufacturer.

I bring one map for all the areas I am going thru. I bring at least 2 compasses; usually 3!

I like the idea of having a spare map around as suggested above. I will be thinking that one over.

One if it's an area I know and two if it's unfamiliar. Those 2 maps are in different boats to decrease the odds of losing both. Always bring my trusty old Silva compass. GPS? Wouldn't know how to use one and don't have any desire to learn.

One set

One set with me in the canoe, ...and another back up one (perhaps smaller in scale and covering a larger area)that I keep buried safely in the bottom of my personal gear bag.

In the Q, I usually have Chrismar and relevant McKenzie(s) in the map case; and rest of McKenzies and Fishers for any area I might get to in a pack. With a party of 4 - rare for me - we have an extra Chrismar.

in this day and age of access to free online maps and printing, my last major trip to Canada I placed a map in each of my waterproof bags(3), plus had a set in plastic bags I kept on me plus another set in a waterproof bag in my PFD. The maps were printed on normal printer paper at a cost of about 2 or 3 cents total

so that's 5 sets plus my GPS which I used all of less than a half an hour

turns out I could have gone without the 3 sets in the waterproof bags, but similar to what gun nuts say:

it's better to have a map and not need it, than to need a map and not have it

quote ZaraSp00k: "in this day and age of access to free online maps and printing, my last major trip to Canada I placed a map in each of my waterproof bags(3), plus had a set in plastic bags I kept on me plus another set in a waterproof bag in my PFD. The maps were printed on normal printer paper at a cost of about 2 or 3 cents total


so that's 5 sets plus my GPS which I used all of less than a half an hour


turns out I could have gone without the 3 sets in the waterproof bags, but similar to what gun nuts say:


it's better to have a map and not need it, than to need a map and not have it"

What site did you use to get printable maps? So far I must have been on the wrong site.. and I forgot which.. requires big paper..

Two sets: one in the map case strapped to the thwart, and one attached to my life vest.

quote yellowcanoe: "What site did you use to get printable maps? So far I must have been on the wrong site.. and I forgot which.. requires big paper.."

online maps

My last trips, to Woodland and to Nopeming, I used the above site, they use the same data that everyone else uses for Canadian maps.

You can set the zoom however you want, and pan so that you get the area(s) you are traveling. Then what I do is hand mark each map with portage info, campsites, or whatever other info I think is important.

I see they have added their copyright mark to the data now :( which is weird considering it isn't even their data.

Their data is the same exact data I have in my Delorme, and that is available from the Canadian government.