Detailed topographical maps can be obtained from a variety of vendors but Stanfords in London is as good a place as any to start looking. While it is naturally more expensive to buy foreign maps in the UK rather than in the destination country, it is not always easy to get them on arrival and most parties will want to look at detailed maps before they leave the UK. The Alpine Club does hold a large number of Russian military maps at a variety of scales that are available to members on request (see broad list below). They and can be accessed via the AC Library.
The Club library also holds a significant number of 1:25K maps of the Indian Himalaya that are available for research. The Indian maps can only be accessed via the Library as they are hard copy. Also available in hard copy are a selection of general and specialised maps of the Greater Ranges that could be useful for general planning (see World Maps list below). Similarly, these maps can only be accessed via the Club library.
The RGS has one of the largest collections of world maps and AC members receive free access to these as a benefit of membership. Just show your membership card when visiting the RGS Library.
Google Earth is proving an increasingly excellent tool for the pioneering mountaineer, allowing for the identification and scouting of potential objectives via high quality satellite imagery.
Alpine Club Maps
Russian Military Maps
Asia
- China-Central - 1:100K (5 maps), 1:200K (384 maps), 1:500K (61 maps)
- China-Tibet - 1:100K (22 maps), 1:200K (183 maps), 1:500K (29 maps)
- China-Xinjiang – 1:50K (8 maps), 1:100K (526 maps), 1:200K (199 maps), 1:500K (47 maps)
- Himalaya - 1:100K (53 maps), 1:200K (114 maps)
- Hindu Kush – 1:50K (2 maps), 1:100K (48 maps), 1:200K (40 maps)
- Karakoram – 1:100K (20 maps), 1:200K (24 maps)
- Fann Mountains – 1:50K (39 maps), 1:100K (70 maps), 1:200k (23 maps)
- Pamir – 1:50K (11 maps), 1:100K (82 maps), 1:200K (23 maps)
- Tien Shan – 1:50K (84 maps), 1:100K (215 maps), 1:200K (62 maps)
- Altai – 1:50K (55 maps), 1:100K (250 maps), 1:200K (52 maps)
- Iran – 1:50K (1 map), 1:100K (121 maps), 1:200K (290 maps), 1:500K (35 maps)
- Kamchatka – 1:100K (277 maps), 1:200K (95 maps)
- Sayan – 1:50K (15 maps), 1:100K (209 maps), 1:200K (102 maps)
- Caucasus - 1:50K (314 maps), 1:100K (232 maps), 1:200K (67 maps)
- Turkey - 1:50K (48 maps), 1:100K (584 maps), 1:200K (140 maps), 1:500K (19 maps)
Africa
- Ethiopia - 1:200K (201 maps), 1:500K (31 maps)
- Morocco - 1:100K (95 maps), 1:200K (88 maps), 1:500K (18 maps)
South America
- Chile & Argentina 1:200K (175 maps)
- South America, entire continent at 1:500K (315 maps)
World Maps
| Area | Manufacturer | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Tibet, Kashmir, Nepal, Sikkim,Bhutan | Nelles Verlag map | 1:500,000 |
| Geological Map of the Mount Everest Region Nepal - South Tibet (x 2) | Mike Searle | 1:100,000 |
Himalaya
| Area | Manufacturer | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Nepal Trekking Guide | Himalayan Map House | 1:900,000 |
| Nepal | International Travel Maps | 1:530,000 |
| Nepal Political Map | Himalayan Map House | 1:1,000,000 |
| Nepal Road Map | Shell | 1:750,000 |
| Nepal Himalaya Maps Sheet 4, Annapurna, Machhapuchhare, Maryangdi, Muktinath | Leomann Maps | 1:200,000 |
| Nepal, Namche Bazar, Sheet 20 | Nepal Topographical Maps | 1:50,000 |
| Nepal, Rolwalin Valley, Sheet 23 | Nepal Topographical Maps | 1:50,000 |
| Nepal, Namrun, Sheet 39 | Nepal Topographical Maps | 1:50,000 |
| Nepal, Phlim, Sheet 40 | Nepal Topographical Maps | 1:50,000 |
| Nepal, Samagau, Sheet 41 | Nepal Topographical Maps | 1:50,000 |
| Nepal, Phugau Ghomion, Sheet 43 | Nepal Topographical Maps | 1:50,000 |
| Nepal, Bagarchhap, Sheet 44 (x 2) | Nepal Topographical Maps | 1:50,000 |
| Nepal, Bahundada, Sheet 45 | Nepal Topographical Maps | 1:50,000 |
| Nepal, Chame, Sheet 49 | Nepal Topographical Maps | 1:50,000 |
| Nepal, Muktinath, Sheet 53 | Nepal Topographical Maps | 1:50,000 |
| The High Route Around Manaslu | Nepa Maps | 1:110,000 |
| The Helambu Trail | Nepa Maps | 1:50,000 |
| From Lhasa to Kailas | Nepa Maps | 1:2,400,000 |
| North Annapurna Base Camp | Nepa Maps | 1:66,000 |
| Annapurna Satellite Image Trekking Map | Cartoconsult, Austria | 1:250,000 |
| Around Annapurna | Himalayan Map House | 1:125,000 |
Tibet/China
| Area | Manufacturer | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan | World Map, GeoCentre | 1:2,000,000 |
| Tibet Autonomous Region | Gizi Map | 1:2,000,000 |
| Tibet | World Mapping Project | 1:1,500,000 |
| TPC H-11A | Defense Mapping Agency Aerospace Center | 1:500,000 |
| TPC D-11B | Defense Mapping Agency Aerospace Center | 1:500,000 |
India
| Area | Manufacturer | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| India Rough Guide Map | Rough Guides | 1:2,900,000 |
| India North | Nelles Maps | 1:1,500,000 |
| Uttaranchal Guide Map | Nest & Wings | 1:400,000 |
| Indian Himalaya Maps, Garhwal Uttaranchal, Sheet 7 | Leomann Maps | 1:200,000 |
| Garhwal Himalaya West | Swiss Foundation for Alpine Research | 1:150,000 |
Pakistan
| Area | Manufacturer | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Karakoram Orthographical Sketch Map, Sheet 1 | Swiss Foundation for Alpine Research | 1:250,000 |
| Karakoram Orthographical Sketch Map, Sheet 2 | Swiss Foundation for Alpine Research | 1:250,000 |
| The 8,000m Peaks of the Karakoram | The Climbing Company Ltd | 1:50,000 |
| Jammu & Kashmir, Mundik & Chulung combined, NI 43-3 & 4 | --- | 1:250,000 |
| Kashmir | Government of Pakistan | 1:1,000,000 |
South America
| Area | Manufacturer | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Central Andes Trekking Map | JLM Mapas | 1:250,000 |
Peru
| Area | Manufacturer | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Cordillera Blanca | German & Austrian Alpine Club publication | 1:100,000 |
| Cordillera Blanca Nord, Sheet 0/3a | Alpenvereinskarte, OAV | 1:100,000 |
| Cordillera Blanca Nord, Sheet 0/3b | Alpenvereinskarte, OAV | 1:100,000 |
Bolivia
| Area | Manufacturer | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Map of Bolivia | O’Brien Cartographics | 1:2,200,000 |
| Cordillera Real Nord (Illampu), Sheet 0/8 | Alpenvereinskarte, OAV | 1:100,000 |
| Cordillera Real Nord (Illampu), Sheet 0/9 | Alpenvereinskarte, OAV | 1:100,000 |
Ecuador
| Area | Manufacturer | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Ecuador Tourist Map | Military Geographical Institute | 1:250,000 |
| Republic of Ecuador | Military Geographical Institute | 1:1,000,000 |
| Cotopaxi, CT-N111-F1, 3991-IV | Military Geographical Institute | 1:50,000 |
| Guayaquil, Hoja NV, SA 17-11 | Military Geographical Institute | 1:250,000 |
| Quito, Hoja-N111, SA 17-4 | Military Geographical Institute | 1:250,000 |
Alaska
| Area | Manufacturer | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | International Travel Maps | 1:2,500,000 |
Morocco
| Area | Manufacturer | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Haut Atlas Occidental, Sheet 6 | Carima | 1:500,000 |
| Haut Atlas Central, Sheet 7 | Carima | 1:500,000 |
| Moyen Atlas, Sheet 4 | Carima | 1:500,000 |