I've found an excellent program for mapping routes, Suunto Movescount, http://www.movescount.com/ There seems to be no way to print your map, at least not without buying Suunto watch, but you can export your route to a gpx-file and import it to a program where you can print it. I intended to import into google maps, but I haven't yet figured out how to do this.

Ulla,
don't worry too much what UTM is, it is simply a way of projecting the surface of the earth, which is a sphere onto a map which is a flat surface. UTM is a grid which covers the whole world, the OS system uses the same projection system but just covers the British Isles. The origin point is out in the Atlantic ocean. Grid North differs to true North because of the projection and the difference varies depending you are. This difference known as convergence is fixed with time.
Magnetic North is also different from true North and the difference, known as declination, changes with time and where you are.
If you have bought a new OS map recently it will have a diagram showing the relationships between the three Norths in the area covered by the map and how they change with time. It is also possible to check online.
http://www.geomag.bgs.ac.uk/data_service/models_compass/gma_calc.html

You need to understand the relationship if you are going to set yourself a bearing to follow using a compass or work out where you are on the map by taking the bearing of two landmarks.

https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/resources/maps-and-geographic-resources/finding-north.html

Hi Ulla

You're getting lots of great advice as usual here. Reading the two parts of your post It looks as if you are happy doing traditional map/compass nav. but want the security of being able see exactly where you are occasionaly using your phone mapping and gps.

Unless you enjoy using tech (or are not so confident with map and compass) I wouldn't bother with route files or waypoints. I'd suggest planning your route online. Take paper maps (or even better printouts on Toughprint paper) and use the OS app on your phone together with the digital mapping that you got access to when you bought the paper maps.

If you don't have all the maps for your route (either digital or paper) you can buy digital mapping quite cheaply. Memory Map sells 1:50000 mapping for the whole of the UK for £60 or you can just buy a smaller amount of data and download the map tiles that you want to your phone. Checking your position from time to time uses very little battery life and can save you from carrying an extra battery or powerpack.

All I do is load load the most critical bits of my route (not just for the Challenge) onto my phone when I have wifi.

Willie

Thanks for your replies. I have a lot to look into when I return home from my mother's house next weekend! Now I just have to decide on the route. Reading challengers' blogs makes me change my mind all the time...