Find Your Way in Deep Forest

Each year, dozens of people get lost in the Mountains and become the subjects of search-and-rescue missions. In most cases, people simply wandered off of marked trails and lost their bearings. Losing one's way in the woods can be an unsettling, frightful experience. If you follow the blazes or cairns, you should have no trouble. But, if you should find you've wandered off the path, stop immediately. In many cases, you will find that retracing your footsteps will bring you back to the trail. If not, follow these steps:[1]

Steps

  1. Pay close attention to your surroundings and landmarks and relate this to your location on a map.
  2. Stay calm if you get lost. Panic is your greatest enemy. If you run wildly around, even for a little while you could lose your sense of direction complete. Try to remember how you got to your present location.
  3. Trust your map and compass (if you have them) and do not walk aimlessly. Use the compass to give you a sense of direction. Think of which way you came, and if that was Northeast, and then recall if you took a turn and what the direction the turn was. If you are calm, you can remember a great many things. If you are on a trail do not leave it.
  4. Start retracing your steps. Leave markers where ever you go, so you can return to where you are. Also, if someone tries to find you, they will look for markers. So make as many as you can, on every turn that you make, and try to mark the direction you are taking. You got off the trail, maybe ten minutes ago, so if you track back more than that time, you know you are on the wrong track.
  5. Remember that if you are not able to retrace your steps, then the best thing is to just stay put, in one place and let the searchers find you. Create a marking so it can be seen by air. Sing loudly or shout help, when you hear others trying to find you. If you have a whistle, blow it or use a blade of grass. Stay in the open so they can find you easily. Do not hide in a cave or under brushes.
  6. Stay put if it is nightfall, if you are injured, or if you are near exhaustion. It is smarter to stay put and try to find your way out in the daylight.
  7. Remember that as a last resort, follow a drainage or stream downhill or downstream. This can be hard going but will often lead to a trail or road. and you will eventually come to civilization.[2]

Tips

  • Never leave for any camping trip unless you tell a friend, or a family member, or both where exactly you are going, and what trail you will be taking. Someone should be told so that if you get lost, and are not back at the day or time specified they know where to look for you.
  • When dealing with bears, it is important to distinguish between black and brown, as the strategy for one is the opposite of the other. If a brown bear is charging at you, you should lay down, facing the ground. Cover the back of your neck with your hands, leave your pack on to cover your back, and spread your legs slightly to make yourself more difficult to flip over. Black bears, however, should be driven off with noise and movement. Jump up and down, shout, beat the bushes, and frighten the animal away. The sole exception to this is if you have encountered a mother with cub, in which case you should back slowly away.
  • If you find wildlife that looks like it wants to make you dinner, stay calm. Try to slowly get away and listen closely for movement. Do not attempt to run. Most predators will instinctively chase fleeing prey.
  • Always keep to the trail, never wander off. This will keep you from getting lost in the first place.
  • Make sure you bring plenty of matches or a lighter. Along with this bring even more water than you expect to drink. This is not for the daily drinking, but more for being prepared if you get lost. Drink to rehydrate - rationing small sips of water will moisten your mouth, but will not keep you alive. A good rule of thumb is to drink no less than 4 ounces of water at a time.

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Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ US Forest Service - Public domain material
  2. ↑ http://www.outdoors.org/recreation/hiking/hiking-lost.cfm
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