Hiking 411 | Getting Out of Getting Lost

One of the most possible problems for novice hikers is getting lost.

It's quite easy to lose your direction even by stepping just a few yards off the trail and into the woods. Step a few more yards towards the way you think you came from and you're even farther still off the trail. Or you could misread your hiking trail map and end up on a trail entirely different from the one you had intended.

Whatever the case, you are now lost since you have no idea where you are, or, god forbid, how to get to where you wanted to go in the first place. Here are some hiking tips about how to dodge fate, and what you need to do if you find yourself in it anyhow.

To avert losing your way to begin with, apply some simple guidelines. Traveling with hiking partners is a good idea. Don't deviate from well-marked hiking trails until you become knowledgeable enough to wander off into the wild. Don't take on more than you can by trying to exceed your water fording or climbing abilities - instead, always err on the side of caution. Take along a compass and a map, and/or GPS unit, but keep in mind that GPS units don't always function in the wild.

If you do get lost, remain calm and keep your wits about you. That'll help you clearly think and decrease heavy breathing, which, in turn, will slow the amount of fluid you expend.

If possible, re-trace your path to the place you last knew your location. Look for landmarks that you saw on your way. You should always be aware of your surroundings, especially since one of the best reasons for hikes are to enjoy the scenery.

While hiking, make a mental snapshot of forest stands, large rocks, streams, hills, etc. This will give you a mental picture of your hiking trip.

In any inclined area with water, such a stream or river, water runs downhill. Many trailheads begin at the bottom. 'Bottom' is a relative word in this case. Trailheads don't usually begin at the mouth of a river, but lots start at the place the river bends and a big, wide level area of ground is encountered.

If you hike high enough, you could well be in an area with very few trees and you could also have a high viewpoint from certain points. Use that perspective to look for trails along the mountain, campsites, etc. Note which way the sun is moving. Stay, even along a winding trail, in the broad direction you need to go.

Shout out or use a whistle to alert people to your situation. It's better to look stupid than spend the night unprepared and lacking food or, even worse, water. If dusk is approaching and you have a flashlight, wave it above you and then in front. Learn Morse code for S-O-S and signal this over and over.

Be sure before you depart home, that someone knows where you're going and when you're supposed to return. That way, if you're away too long, they will know to alert authorities to start searching for you. You wouldn't be the first hiker to get lost. It happens even to experienced hikers.

Hiking Trails

Getting Out of Getting Lost