Having mapped extensively in sketchy places, I would suggest that you take the most important advice from above: (to recap)
1) Get as many maps/photos as possible 2) Learn to use them, and their problems (Perspective, warp, datum calibrations)
3) DEFINITELY pay attention to local customs, starting with whoever has the guns.
ADDING TO THIS:
1) When you take a GPS point, do yourself a favor and **WRITE DOWN THE DATA ON A PIECE OF PAPER**. And I mean when you take the point, not at night around the 'campfire'. When you GPS dies, your laptop gets taken or drops in a stream, you still have your data. Sorry, but tech is cool, but computers fail way too often. (Or gets stolen). A side note, make sure you take detailed notes as to which point is what. This is THEE most common mistake in all mapping.
2) TAKE PICTURES OF YOUR MAPS, digital or film, ESPECIALLY before you go through customs. If you can, mail them to yourself back home. This saved me a field seasons worth of data one year.
3) And have as many permission letters as possible. Also, have it physically rubber stamped as much as you can. Makes it look VERY official. Believe it or not, this works.
4) I CAN NOT agree more with those who have warned that maps will get you killed, in some places faster than your religion. On this tip, take as FEW maps with you as possible. Make sure they are compact and tidy. But DO NOT purposely conceal them. This makes you a spy.
Oh and if your working in Turkey in the future, the words "Gisli Secret" at the top of your cute little topo maps means "Top Secret", and the military can read.
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Having mapped extensively in sketchy places, I would suggest that you take the most important advice from above: (to recap)
1) Get as many maps/photos as possible 2) Learn to use them, and their problems (Perspective, warp, datum calibrations)
3) DEFINITELY pay attention to local customs, starting with whoever has the guns.
ADDING TO THIS:
1) When you take a GPS point, do yourself a favor and **WRITE DOWN THE DATA ON A PIECE OF PAPER**. And I mean when you take the point, not at night around the 'campfire'. When you GPS dies, your laptop gets taken or drops in a stream, you still have your data. Sorry, but tech is cool, but computers fail way too often. (Or gets stolen). A side note, make sure you take detailed notes as to which point is what. This is THEE most common mistake in all mapping.
2) TAKE PICTURES OF YOUR MAPS, digital or film, ESPECIALLY before you go through customs. If you can, mail them to yourself back home. This saved me a field seasons worth of data one year.
3) And have as many permission letters as possible. Also, have it physically rubber stamped as much as you can. Makes it look VERY official. Believe it or not, this works.
4) I CAN NOT agree more with those who have warned that maps will get you killed, in some places faster than your religion. On this tip, take as FEW maps with you as possible. Make sure they are compact and tidy. But DO NOT purposely conceal them. This makes you a spy.
Oh and if your working in Turkey in the future, the words "Gisli Secret" at the top of your cute little topo maps means "Top Secret", and the military can read.