Blue Ridge Mountain Rescue Group
FTM Training Schedule - Fall 1999

GRID SYSTEMS

ASRC Coordinates  

•           The ASRC uses a coordinate system based on a grid overlay.  ASRC coordinates are read in the manner of a Cartesian graph; i.e. right then up.  For example, if a point on map B were 14 units right and 25 units above the corner of the map, its coordinates would be B1425.

•            On a properly prepared ASRC map, left and right are east and west.

•             4 digit ASRC coordinates are accurate to within 1 m.  That is, the distance between A0000 and A0001 is 1 M.

Latitude and Longitude (aka Lat / Long)  

•             Lines of latitude run east to west and are measured in degrees north or south of the EQUATOR.  The equator is a line of latitude

•            Lines of longitude run north to south and are measured in degrees east or west of the Prime Meridian.  The Prime Meridian is an arbitrary line of longitude that passes through London.

•             One degree lat or long = 60 minutes    1 minute = 60 seconds

PRACTICE QUESTIONS  

1.          A massive thunderstorm has caught your team in the field.  You can barely see through the rain.  Would you want to be at 77⁰ 35’ W, 37⁰ 40’ N?  Why?  (This is on Map B. Pretend the road is not there.)

2.          What are the ASRC coordinates of Short Pump Elementary School, Alma Mater of your training officer, Jared Ulmer

3.          If it were really there, how long would the word “Mountain” be?  (It’s near ~A1525)