There was some recent mentions in a variety of posts about updated Chrismar Quetico Adventure Maps.  Some references to both a 2014 as well as a 2015 version.
 
We have a trip coming up in a couple of weeks and I thought I would replace my old one I carry as a backup.   I assumed ordering direct from Chrismar would get me the most current version, but they are out of the office for several weeks doing field work.  They listed Blue Heron Books in their own hometown as carrying all of their products, so I bought on from them.  What I received was marked on the bottom right hand border as 2014.
 
Is there actually a 2015 available, and if so, where?

Thanks for the help.

Regards,
MossBack

Quote:

Is there actually a 2015 available, and if so, where?

I don't know about the 2015 date because I can't find my copy of the latest Chrismar Map of Quetico.

I do know for sure that the cover should look like this.

  (You need to Login or Register

The top corner says 2014-2015

IF your map says 2014 and the cover matches the one in the pic, then I'd guess it's the latest

You might try these places, just make sure the cover is the same as in the link.

Duluth Pack Store
365 Canal Park Drive, Duluth, Minnesota
218-722-1707
(Quetico, Heart of the Continent & Northwestern Ontario maps only)

Latitudes Map & Travel Store
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
952-927-9061
(Quetico, Heart of the Continent & western maps only)

Piragis
105 North Central Avenue, Ely, Minnesota
218-365-6745
(Quetico map only)

My map has the same angled pink stripe, but it only has "2014".  I would guess the map itself is unchanged and they only added the "-15" to show it was still a current version.

I had already called the Duluth Pack store as I was needing poly liners anyway, but they only sell the maps in the store, no mail order option.

Thanks for your help.

Regards,

MossBack

MossBack wrote on Aug 18^th, 2015 at 10:21pm:

My map has the same angled pink stripe, but it only has "2014".

Jim from CCO sent me one earlier this year, same cover and only 2014 as well. Agree with the 14/15 comment. Not aware of any updates.

Don't mean to high jack the thread, but just curious. How much is really updated on the maps? I'd imagine that it would just have slight tweaks here and there. The Chrismar I use is probably 10 years old.

They coordinate with the rangers - unlike other maps - and update portages.  On a trip 3-3 years ago up through Isabella and Kahs, across Trant, and down S-Chain my 10 year old Chrismar had 4 portages (5 if you count the meadows between Side and Kahs) in the wrong place. They'd all been moved and were shown correctly on the then current Chrismar at the rangers station.

MacKenzie and Fishers were also wrong plus more.

Quote:

How much is really updated on the maps?

I had an old Chrismar map, 2005. I got the new one for this springs trip. There are some new portages that were not on the old one.

I also compared the new Chrismar to my old McKenzie maps that are at least 15 yrs old. The difference was significant.

I can't speak for others, but I have better things to do than search for portages when they've been mis-marked on either the Fisher/McKenzie maps.

IMHO if that new Chrismar can save you from doing that even 1 time, it's worth the price.

I would advise anyone that has older Fisher/McKenzie maps to put the two side by side and go over your planned route. Depending on where your going, you might be pleasantly surprised.

I learned firsthand this trip how important it is to have up to date map info. I think Westwood could speak to that as well. ;)

Quote:

How much is really updated on the maps?

I had an old Chrismar map, 2005. I got the new one for this springs trip. There are some new portages that were not on the old one.

I also compared the new Chrismar to my old McKenzie maps that are at least 15 yrs old. The difference was significant.

I can't speak for others, but I have better things to do than search for portages when they've been mis-marked on either the Fisher/McKenzie maps.

IMHO if that new Chrismar can save you from doing that even 1 time, it's worth the price.

I would advise anyone that has older Fisher/McKenzie maps to put the two side by side and go over your planned route. Depending on where your going, you might be pleasantly surprised.

I learned firsthand this trip how important it is to have up to date map info. I think Westwood could speak to that as well. ;)

a few months ago i emailed a question to chrismar 
email@chrismar.com
Mark (the "mar" part of "chrismar") replied within 24 hrs and was also quick with a follow up question.

I bought the 2014 version at the ranger station in Atikokan in Sept 2014. The ranger told me the only difference at that time was a new long portage added on the Maligne to bypass swifts in high water conditions. You would probably skip it in normal conditions.

As for Fisher and McKenzie inaccuracies- says right on the maps "Not intended for navigation".

Fisher and McKenzie maps are not inaccurate due to age, they are just inaccurate.

Jim J Solo wrote on Aug 19^th, 2015 at 3:14pm:

I bought the 2014 version at the ranger station in Atikokan in Sept 2014. The ranger told me the only difference at that time was a new long portage added on the Maligne to bypass swifts in high water conditions. You would probably skip it in normal conditions.

Yup.  Was told the same when we picked up our permit late-June.  As we went from Sturgeon to Poohbah, we completed three portages on the upper Maligne and couldn't recall seeing where the "new" one was added....I think it was created for upstream paddlers....

We also went across LLC down the Namakan and Up the Quetico River back to Beaverhouse.  The newer Chrismar listed longer portage lengths on 2 or 3 of the 4 portages going up the Quetico River.  I think the older lengths (around 250-350 yards) were more accurate....a couple of the newer lengths had them around 700+ which is way longer than they actually were....

But the Chrismar is still way more accurate overall when compared to Fisher or MacKenzie maps....

Quote:

think the older lengths (around 250-350 yards) were more accurate....a couple of the newer lengths had them around 700+ which is way longer than they actually were....

I found the same thing but in reverse on my 21 day solo trip route. Before I went, I looked the portages over and compared the new Chrismar with my old McKenzie's and when they disagreed, I went to the new Q-planner site.

That only made things worse because it varied between the two.
When they were ALL off, it was by a lot, more than you'd think it would be even allowing for minor human error.

One of my goals next trip to to bring a pedometer and mark each portage length down and then put any differences in my trip report.

On one hand, for me the length doesn't matter because if that what it takes to go where I want, I'm doing it regardless. But some people/groups have time/physical issues and a portage that is way longer than marked could be an issue for them?