Looking at a map and doing basic a->b route planning is straightforward. Doing it well is a skill. Finding yourself when you don't know where you are and have limited landmark info, and using the cartographically-significant features of the map to plan a route that avoids hazards or navigates with tolls, highways, and rest-stops in mind are very much a skill that needs to be practiced even if the MO is simple at first.

I feel like we're diverging towards trip planning here more than just reading a map. That, sure i can see how experience can make a difference.

Given a map, can you find where you are in the map without GPS?

How about planning a route from contour plots?

Or maybe figure out which direction you should go without a digital compass?

Yes to all. The map is a projection of your surroundings. You just need to "map" what you see to the map to be able to see where you are and where north is. I guess contour plots is a tad more advanced since it's trying to represent the z axis on a flat sheet of paper.

I'm not trying to be obtuse, I genuinely don't see how it is difficult to read a map.

> You just need to "map" what you see to the map to be able to see where you are and where north is.

Well, you have provided a neat definition of map reading. :)

I know lol that's why I'm not sure how it is difficult or something to learn really.

I guess your mention of representation of elevation made me realize that you at least need to learn the conventions and the key to a map.

>I know lol that's why I'm not sure how it is difficult or something to learn really.

Imagine how easy recursion is to grok for most of us and absurdly painful for most people trying to learn programming.

Yes, yes, and yes. All basic skills any hiker should have.