| On a mountain map grid references are great for | | | | reference. |
| either roughly or exactly pin pointing your location. | | | | First take the Horizontal grid line 06 and look at |
| There are mainly two types of grid reference, a | | | | the next horizontal line 07. You imagine the space |
| four figure and a six figure. | | | | between 06 and 07 as split into 10 more grid lines |
| If you look at an ordinance survey map you will | | | | and set an estimated figure from 1-10. So |
| see a grid of squares on the actual mountain map. | | | | horizontally if you believe the location is halfway |
| The grid squares are made of grid lines that are | | | | between 06 and 07 then the horizontal ref is 065. |
| labelled both vertically and horizontally. The vertical | | | | If you believe the location is a third from 06 to |
| lines run from the top to the bottom of the map | | | | 07 you could say the horizontal ref is 063 etc. Let |
| with each line being marked with a number 01, 02, | | | | us say that it is 063 on our mountain map. |
| 03 etc. | | | | You do exactly the same on the vertical grid lines. |
| Similarly the horizontal lines run from the left hand | | | | The vertical ref is going to be between 10 and 11 |
| side to the right hand side of the mountain map | | | | in our example. You imagine 10 small grid lines |
| and are labelled on both sides in the same way | | | | between 10 and 11 and allocate a number where |
| 01, 02, 03 etc. | | | | your location is vertically 1-10. Let us say you |
| A 4 figure grid reference will simply reference a | | | | think it is about 4. So our vertical grid ref is 104. |
| square in the grid. This is determined by the | | | | Now put the 2 grid refs together - again "along |
| horizontal reference (say 06) first and then the | | | | the corridor (horizontal) and up the stairs |
| vertical reference (say 10). It is always in this | | | | (vertical)". So our 6 figure ref on our mountain |
| order. | | | | map is 063104 |
| A good way to remember this I have found is | | | | By using a 6 figure reference we can accurately |
| "along the corridor (horizontal) and up the stairs | | | | pin point where a location is on the mountain map. |
| (vertical)" - on our mountain map. So for this | | | | This is great for start and finishes of hikes. Scout |
| example the 4 figure grid reference (which is a | | | | hike patrols are given a 6 figure reference to |
| grid square on the map) is 0610. | | | | start and finish. They then make their own route |
| To get this location on a mountain map more | | | | between these 2 references. It is a great |
| accurate a 6 figure grid reference is used. Here | | | | exercise. |
| we still use the 4 figure grid reference but we | | | | Have a great mountain hike with your mountain |
| add another 2 figures. This will pin point the | | | | map. |
| location within the square of the 4 figure | | | | |