How to Get Un-Lost When You Become Disoriented in the Wilderness

Suddenly, the surroundings did not seem right. A mountain fog had drifted in, and with no sun to guide my direction, I needed to stop and reassess my hike. Having planned ahead, I had with me several navigational tools to help put me back on the right path. My old GPS, a standard compass and a National Forest Service map of the area soon pointed me back to camp as the fog got thicker and the sun set.

The first rule of venturing into terrain, known and unknown, is to let someone know your exact route and destination. Include your expected time of return, along with the trailhead location where you’ll park. If possible, travel with a partner. These small but often overlooked details provide a starting point and pathway to a speedy recovery if you do become disoriented in the wilds. For even more insurance, consider the following to help you become un-lost.

STOP!

When uncertainty hits you in a strange setting, do the first sensible thing: stop and assess the situation. Are you truly lost, or are you just slightly off course? Above all, do not panic. Many people who become lost in the backcountry reveal later that, in an attempt to find their way out, they wandered aimlessly for hours. The Internet is full of stories of hikers, amateurs and pros alike, that died due to taking off in a blinding state of anxiety, some never to be found. This past spring, a woman looking for shed deer antlers became separated from her husband in a semi-open environment near where I live and eventually succumbed to hypothermia. Did she panic? Nobody knows, but her body was found quite a distance from her last known location.

Stopping and calming down allows you to evaluate the situation without inducing more fear. Plus, it keeps you relatively near your declared travel course if you decide to wait for help. Next, consider obvious exits. You may be disoriented on a mountainside, but can you see lights below? Maybe you can hear recreational vehicle travel and venture that direction to locate a road out. Streams and creeks lead downhill and may cross a road you drove in on. Cross-country travel does add another degree of danger, however, so consider the risks before leaving your stationary location.

LOCATION CONFIRMED

While contemplating the situation and possible ways out, analyze all your navigational tools to verify your exact location. Begin with anything that allows satellite connectivity. The use of satellites gives you a precise location on a virtual image of your earth position. You do require a clear view of the sky for this connection, so exit an area with a heavy canopy to receive the information. Smartphones include different types of global positioning systems (GPS), while a handheld GPS performs that sole objective. Before venturing out, make sure you have backup power sources for your devices and download the most current map of the area.

You can navigate with a phone-based app even without cellular service as long as you’ve downloaded a detailed map first. Although a GPS does show you where you are on Earth, updated maps help in fine-tuning navigation.

Next, purchase a detailed paper map of the area. National Forest or Bureau of Land Management maps offer ample details, but you can purchase even more detailed topographical maps if needed through various map outlets. While you’re at it, purchase a compass and learn how to use it. Yes, your phone has a compass, but a paper map and physical compass do not require battery power and work even under a heavy canopy of pines.

USE COMMON SENSE

In your final act of keeping calm, always consider common sense. An alternative route out might require extra hydration and calories, so always have backup water and food in your pack. Stay energized and listen to your body. When your body demands rest, take a break.

Between breaks, inhospitable terrain and lengthy backtracking, you may be forced to spend the night outdoors. Carry a lightweight survival sleeping bag or space blanket, plus fire-making tools, to ensure a comfortable night in the backcountry. Seek out a safe cliff overhang or the boughs of a thick tree to shelter you, then hole up for the night and recharge. Keep the fire burning bright as a signal.

Nobody plans on being lost, but just last elk season I became disoriented in morning darkness, fresh snow and an eerie, icy fog that overcame the area. Staying calm and utilizing my tools, I soon navigated back to the trail under the guidance of my headlamp. At dawn I was in the exact elk meadow I planned to hunt.

GEAR TO GET HOME

• Carry these essentials to find your way through the wilderness.

If you spend much time in the backcountry, you really should have a hunting app on your phone. I utilize HuntStand, but you can also try popular apps like onX Maps. Download your hunting area on the app and carry a power source for extended use. Next, consider a GPS. My choice is Garmin’s affordable and functional inReach Mini 2. The rugged unit offers GPS-supported tracking, navigation, texting and SOS signaling if required.

Moving to analog gear, I have carried a Brunton ECOmpass for decades. It includes rulers on each side (standard and metric), a high-contrast azimuth ring for quick direction confirmation and a large baseplate for route planning. Depending on your map-reading ability, you can go with a highly detailed topographical map or an off-the-shelf public-land map. I have gotten by for years with the latter.

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• This article was featured in the November 2024 issue of Game & Fish magazine. Click to subscribe.

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