Print and Customize Canadian Topographic Maps with Map Sherpa| Paddling Headquarters

Print and Customize Canadian Topographic Maps with Map Sherpa

Friday, 18 September 2009 By: David H. Johnston

I recently stumbled upon what is looking like a new really cool Canadian service. Map Sherpa allows you create and customize and print Canadian topographic and urban Canadian maps. Of course this type of service has been available to the US market for a while but up until now, nothing has been available with Canadian Maps aimed at the recreational outdoor market.

Anybody who has gone hiking or paddling will know that your chosen route always ends up going off the map forcing you to purchase another one (which you only end up needing 10% of). With Map Sherpa, create your own custom map and move the center of the map around to maximize as much of your route as possible on one page. It’s perfect for weekend adventures.

Through their really simple user interface, Map Sherpa also allows you to drop in icons, lines and labels onto any location in Canada. Once you are happy, you can convert the map to a pdf for home printing or take advantage of their on-demand print service for poster size versions.

Prices for maps are pretty cheap. If you decide to print it yourself (8.5”x11) it’s only $2.99 while poster sizes start at $38.95.

The only major thing missing right now is some sort of integration with GPS waypoints or Google Earth .kmz files. I would love to be able to import my route waypoints and campsites as a trip souvenir.

Keep in mind is that you are not buying official government issued topographic maps. Map Sherpa uses licensed technology from NAVTEQ which provides maps for GPS units, Map Quest and Google Maps. The information is accurate but not intended for commercial use including marine or air navigation.

Here are a couple sample maps that I generated so you can get an idea of what it can do:

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