| Anyone who has ever backpacked in unfamiliar | | | | rivers, or anything unusual such as rock |
| surrounds knows how it feels to be lost at some | | | | formations and trees. Natural reference points |
| point in time, even if temporarily. There are many | | | | could end up saving your life. Again, make good |
| ways that someone backpacking in the great | | | | use of your map and compasses. You have |
| outdoors could end up finding them self off | | | | them, so use them. If you find yourself even the |
| course. Most of the time, luckily, you will find your | | | | slightest bit unsure of where you are, check your |
| way rather quickly, and resume your trek. What | | | | map. Backpackers often dig themselves into a |
| if you really became lost? What would happen if | | | | deeper hole by thinking they can fix the situation |
| you became so lost that you were overwhelmed | | | | on their own without reference to their tools. Use |
| by a sense of fear or panic? It is a situation could | | | | the tools that you take with you. If you become |
| happen to anyone and many don't want to even | | | | disoriented, stop. Look at your surroundings and |
| entertain the thought. Fortunately there are a | | | | then try to locate those features on a map. |
| number of simple things that anyone can do to | | | | Typically, people are able to regain their sense of |
| regain their sense of direction, and hence, return | | | | direction in around five minutes by studying their |
| safely from their wilderness adventure. | | | | map and surroundings. Five minutes is all it can |
| It may sound obvious but the best advice is to | | | | take to prevent a relatively harmless situation |
| take all precautionary measures you can to | | | | from escalating into a serious, or even dangerous |
| ensure you do not get lost in the first place. It | | | | matter. |
| does sound overly simple, but many backpackers | | | | Anyone who has ever backpacked in unfamiliar |
| often end up lost due to poor planning. Make sure | | | | surrounds knows how it feels to be lost at some |
| that you take a map an up to date map, as quite | | | | point in time, even if temporarily. There are many |
| often trails and landmarks change. Take two | | | | ways that someone backpacking in the great |
| compasses with you, why, because many | | | | outdoors could end up finding them self off |
| backpackers loose confidence in their compass, so | | | | course. Most of the time, luckily, you will find your |
| it is helpful to have another one to compare it | | | | way rather quickly, and resume your trek. What |
| with. If both have the same reading, trust them! | | | | if you really became lost? What would happen if |
| If you lack experience using a compass, you | | | | you became so lost that you were overwhelmed |
| should be able to get assistance at a local | | | | by a sense of fear or panic? It is a situation could |
| community center or outdoor store. Before you | | | | happen to anyone and many don't want to even |
| set out on your journey, study the map you | | | | entertain the thought. Fortunately there are a |
| have of the area into which you will be traveling. | | | | number of simple things that anyone can do to |
| While the map is not the territory, you can get an | | | | regain their sense of direction, and hence, return |
| idea of the trails, streams, and mountains that will | | | | safely from their wilderness adventure. |
| make up the land you are traveling. It is also | | | | With the right level of preparation and planning, |
| vitally important to tell a responsible person that | | | | you are likely to avoid getting lost while |
| you are going to be backpacking in a particular | | | | backpacking. If you do become lost, using the |
| location for certain duration. This is important | | | | simple steps outlined here you will give yourself a |
| because it ensures that someone will notice your | | | | significantly better chance of being found or |
| absence if you are lost for an extended period of | | | | finding your way back to safety. As with most |
| time. You do not want to be missing without | | | | things, preparing for the worst will ensure that |
| someone knowing that you are missing! Tell your | | | | you will be better able to handle a bad situation |
| family, friends and authorities exactly where you | | | | should it arise. Being prepared by knowing what to |
| are going, and how long you plan to be there. | | | | do and how to do it will give you peace of mind |
| While backpacking, it is important to take notice | | | | so you're backpacking experience is an enjoyable |
| of all of the topography around you. Pay particular | | | | one. |
| attention to tracks, ridges, valleys, summits, | | | | |