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81

I certainly agree with looking at a range of maps on a pc prior to a trip, my problem being that during the walk I will have forgotten most of it.
In Snowdonia I frequently got my bearings (metaphorocal) from the land around me - that range of hills on the skyline is A, that closer hill is B, that valley is C, and the ruined homestead I can see in the far distance ahead is where I should be aiming for - something I could tell from a 1:25k map in a map case but I don't feel I would be able to see on a smartphone screen without panning this way and that.
But let's halt this discussion now, for it's turning into the old paper maps versus phone apps argument which has been chewed over on the forum many times before. 
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1.  Accepted, if that's the way it's done.  I presume journals with international distribution understand UK Grid.

2.  You are missing out by not using aerial imagery, it shows far more than maps alone can.  If I am planning a route off the beaten track, I always flip between the "official" map, OSM and the aerial image.  You can pick up a lot of useful information that way.  To take the example you cite - the OS map will say a path exists - that is policy, the aerial image will show you there is no path on the ground - that is fact.

3.  Reinforces my point, if there is no grid so you go without - therefore it is not required.   I do exactly the same as you, but including in the UK, by using the best digital map I can find (OA is pretty good that way).   There is nothing unique about walking or route finding in GB.  If I want the wider picture, I can explore before I go by using my PC screen, where I can zoom and scroll to my hearts content using a variety of maps and images.  When I am out on the trail, the small screen can still be zoomed to show me where I am in the context of my whole route and the surrounding area but in terms of finding my way, all I need is a view of the next 500m or so.  Yes I could take a paper map if I wanted, but it would not be used for navigation and, if I have done my homework at the planning stage, it would probably never come out of my pack.  I have used this method in all sorts of conditions in many countries.  It works and I have never been lost
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Some points:
1. Grid refs are the standard for all natural history recording, lat/long is never used.

2. I would not rely on aerial imagery, it would probably have lead me into the same Welsh bog as an OS map footpath that did not exist on the ground.

3. In areas without a grid I have bought the best paper map I could prior to the trip. Terrain Maps of Greek islands are of a fairly high standard, and I had a detailed one for my visit to the Aeolian Islands (off Sicily).
Phone apps can give you enough information but only a bit at a time, limited by the small screen size, and I like to see the bigger picture.
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Photography / Re: Windy Gyle Cheviots.
« Last post by Skip on 17:57:45, 25/03/24 »
Magnificent heather-clad high moorland.
A wonderful deserted area to walk but nonetheless quite accessible from Upper Coquetdale.
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Gear / Re: Washing gaiters
« Last post by ninthace on 17:49:52, 25/03/24 »
I must walk differently to you, then. Mine get well and truly "painted" with mud on the sides nearest to each other.
So do mine, but as you keep going, the worst just knocks off.
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I can see the point of a GR to note the position of a fern (though a Lat Long would do the job too) or to give a location, but I have walked the most sinuous of routes across untracked ground, derived from nothing more than aerial imagery, without recourse to a single GR.  It has backfired on me only once but I was bang on route, just what I thought was passable turned out to nothing of the such which, but rather a very ancient and very, very rough (i.e. unwalkable) field boundary through a bog!  I have walked a lot of Snowdonia without using a GR too. 
As an aside, how do you plan and walk routes in areas that don't have a grid?  My technique will work in any country.  I walked NZ without carrying any maps at all.  I have 3 more trips planned this year, Italy, Austria and Derbyshire.  Only the last would even understand a GR and while I may take a map to satisfy my curiosity about the area, I doubt very I will use it to navigate.
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Scotland / Re: Southern Cairngorms for Easter
« Last post by vizzavona on 16:07:45, 25/03/24 »
Perhaps a bit misleading. The bike was used to reach the Bothy Allt Sheicheachan...
Beinn Dearg and the Corbett and along the valley for Beinn Mheadhonach.
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Scotland / Re: Southern Cairngorms for Easter
« Last post by vizzavona on 15:58:34, 25/03/24 »
Plenty to keep you busy in this area.
For the three of the Beinn a Ghlo straight up path for the first one that stands out from the road.
I used both bike and bothies for the Munros and two Corbetts on the other side of the Tilt.
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I have not used a grid ref while hiking since Pontius was learning to fly.

Really? I often noted them in my self-made route guides for my multiple day Snowdonia trips, such as "Take the footpath on the W side of the road at SHxxxxxx" or "Turn E at SHxxxxxx". It was particularly important when I was walking on pathless terrain.

Apart from that, as I'm a paper map user (I too independent to have everything done for me  :) ) I sometimes check the grid ref on my phone if I'm not absolutely sure of my precise location.
The other use, for which I use an old Garmin Etrex, is for recording in my botanical niche. County recorders use the grid refs, together with other people's, to create distribution maps, while coupled with a description on a databse it enables the location of a species to be found again at a future date.
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Scotland / Re: Creag Bheag above Kingussie.
« Last post by vizzavona on 15:26:43, 25/03/24 »
Yes, we are  very well placed for some pleasant easily reached small hillwalks.
Possibly also ideal for folks heading to the North and would perhaps like to have a break In the journey. Maybe to just stretch the legs for a spell before moving on. Well placed for folks arriving.by train to spend some time in the area.
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