Lost In The Woods: 5 Tips To Get You Back On The Trail-Panergy

Getting lost in the woods is no joke, the truth is people die in the woods. They leave their homes with an empty camera, smile on their face and never return. There are monsters in the wild and I am not talking about the furred type. There are chilling winds, soaking rains and jagged rocks that all can threaten your life. Things like hypothermia, dehydration and debilitating injuries affect more people in the wild than animal attacks.

Hypothermia

This threat can kill you in a night’s time and it only takes a few degrees to drop your core body temperature. Sleeping on the cold ground, falling into water and working up a healthy sweat on your hike can all lead to hypothermia on nights that otherwise might seem seasonable.

If you are lost chances are you won’t have access to adequate shelter or clothing and this could put you at risk.

Dehydration

It only takes about three days without water for your body to begin shutting down. Even the most basic motor skills will become incredibly difficult once you reach this level of dehydration. When you are lost in the woods you will not have access to enough safe water. Vapur microfilter bottles are amazing and can be a life saver in this type of situation.

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Injuries

Many people become incapacitated from injuries they suffer while hiking and traveling in the backwoods. These injuries can be make a return to civilization impossible. In this case, you are left a victim of the two instances above and you or unable to protect yourself against predators.

Lost In The Woods – 5 Tips To Get Your Back On The Trail

These tips will cover navigation, shelter, fire, signaling for rescue and safely making it out.

Map and compass

The most important and powerful step you can take when traversing the wild is to keep a map and compass on your person. There is no easier way to get yourself out of a jam than by using a map to first find yourself and then find your way out of a bad situation.

A map is a tool. It’s not made out of forged steel but it can be just as powerful. Like any other tool you must learn how to use this tool properly. Understanding your location on the map and how to navigate from that position is the most important part.

The compass will give north and from there you will be able to discern which direction you are traveling. Once you have found out your current direction look to the map to find out which direction you should be traveling to make it back to a trail, major road or campsite.

Take your time and be observant as you travel. Paths and trails often swerve and at times it’s hard to move in one direction. Use the compass along your walk to assure you get back on track. Practice this navigation method before your life depends on it. This way you are well versed if you get lost.

Look and Listen – others, highways, water

The adventure and travel industry has grown 65% year over year since 2009. It’s absolutely astounding growth. It almost seems criminal. I believe this is due to the overwhelming and intrusive advances in technology. The outdoors have become the balance to our tech addiction.

That said there is almost always someone around. Even on these remote hiking trails spread about national parks across the nation you find people. There has also been extensive work done to make these remote areas more accessible.

Rather than panic and stumble through the woods terrified, tripping and fumbling, it is often worth stopping sitting for a moment. Listening. You can listen for the babble of a brook or the sound of a bigger stream. You could also listen for the sound of tires on a trail or road.

Most importantly listen for people. Even the faintest sound of people will allow you the ability to yell and scream for help.

It’s very easy to get distracted by your problem. You will think that the only way out if the predicament is to work harder, move faster. Sometimes it helps to stop and listen.

Carry a Trail Pack

Now you may have a giant hiking pack that hold an entire campsite. There are some amazing bags on the market today. What I would recommend is also bringing a much smaller bag to take on hikes around the campsite. I like those cheap backpacks with the rope handles.

Tuck In

Sometimes you gotta know when to fold em! If you are lost and the sun is beginning to fall you must change your priorities. Being lost is your number one problem when the sun is up and you can travel. Once the sun starts to head towards the horizon your new number one is shelter and warmth.

Though you may think you are just a quick hike over that ridge you could be anything but. That internal pioneer in you will drive you to keep moving but before you know it will be dark and you will be in big trouble without a fire and shelter to get you through the night.