Building on Maria Langer’s Excel random number generator, I created a little program that will randomly generate a set of 15 UTM coordinates to help you practice plotting coordinates on the map.

A good training exercise will require the following tools:

1. Map with UTM grid on it.  You can order a map of anywhere in the US from MyTopo.com.  When you create your map, be sure to indicate that you want the UTM grid printed on it.  I like to have Latitude and Longitude ticks printed on it so that they are there (?), but don’t want additional lines to interfere with UTM plotting work.  In all the adventure races in which I’ve competed, the UTM lines are printed on the map and the Lat/Lon lines are not.
2. A  24″ x 36″ sheet of drafting film to lay over the map.  With this,  you can plot coordinates and then erase again and again without messing up the map.
3. A UTM roamer or grid tool.  You can make your own using the free downloadable pdf files from Maptools.com and a sheet of transparency film for a copier or printer (be sure to get the right kind for what you’re doing, write-on overhead transparency film makes a real mess in a laser printer or copier…don’t ask me how I know).  However, Maptools.com sells all kinds of neat map tools.  I really like the mini-corners and the slots.  They are smaller, simpler (and thus more functional) and less expensive than something like the Brooks-Range All-in-One Map Tool.  That said, if you are doing winter work in avalanche country the Brooks tool has useful slope indexes and the ability to make a handy inclinometer out of it.  If you are navigating on skis, snowshoes or snow machine, buy it, learn to use it and use it.
4. My handy UTM Point Generator tool.  It’s an excel sheet, so you’ll need Excel installed on your computer.  It will work with Mac or Windows.
5. a pencil

Once you have all your tools assembled, lay the map out on a table, put the piece of drafting film over it, fire up your computer and open the UTM Point Generator. Fill in the cells in rows 5 and 6 with the correct information from your own map.  The tool will generate 15 points for you to plot on your map.

Work at trying to plot all 15, accurately, in three minutes.

To check your work, go to http://pages.globetrotter.net/roule/utmgoogle.htm, enter your UTM coordinates (only one at a time unfortunately), select USGS topo map and click “display.”

When you need a new set of coordinates, just hit command-= or control-= in excel and you’ll get a new set of points for your map.

Special thanks to Maria Langer for designing the foundation for this tool.