Have you taken a look for some of the Topo maps of the area in question that are printed on Tyvek paper. They are pretty indestructable. I have some that were produced by the AMC, and they are waterproof, and pretty much rip proof too. You can fold them neatly, or just stuff them in a pocket, and they don't seem to suffer either way. For you, in VT, I think the Long Trail maps can be had in Tyvek also. The whole area around where the AT goes through VT is on Tyvek too I believe.