Hiking is one activity that appeals to every traveler, which is why there are so many hiking trails out there, from easy to difficult ones, so everybody can enjoy this activity. In the process of engaging in this activity, however, there are so many challenges one can face. The trail can be wet and slippery, the sun might be scorching, a wild animal might attack, and bad weather can spring up all of a sudden. These might be scary, and hikers might experience them at one point in their adventure but getting lost in the wilderness is perhaps something no one ever wants to experience. It may not seem like a big deal at first, but when the lost hiker spends hours trying to find their way back, thirst soon sets in, and then hunger. As if those are not enough, the weather may be harsh, the path may be thorny, and it may be dark! This is very common in Treasure hunting when people go looking for lost gold deep in some of the largest forests in the world. In such a situation, it's easy to lose hope, but with these tips, one can come out unharmed.
10 Stop And Relax
Panic does not do any good, especially for a person who just realized they are lost in the wilderness. Instead of running in different directions, trying to find the way and getting more lost, stop and take a deep breath. Bring out a bottle of water, take a sip and think. Stress might have led to the loss of memory, and if there’s one thing to deal with stress, it’s good relaxation.
9 If The Memory Has Failed, Use The Senses
One can take a trip down memory lane to the scene in the Lord of the Rings when Gandalf and the Fellowship of the Ring were stuck in Moria trying to find the way out. After sitting and waiting to remember the correct route, the memory finally came with a smell. It might just be a movie, but it also applies to real life. In situations when the memories have failed, one of the five human senses can bring back a memory of the route to pass. Engage the senses at this time. Smell the air, feel the direction of the wind, look around, and listen. Like a radio, those senses will pick up something that might lead to an escape from the situation.
8 Collect Clues From The Surrounding
Footprints, vehicle sounds, and other signs of human activity can be useful clues that can help find a lost trail. When a clue is found, there’s likely to be another one nearby. Find the next clue and connect them until a way is found. If the clue is the sounds of humans, trace the sounds to where they are coming from. Remember, when the memory fails, the senses can help.
7 Prepare For The Night Before It Gets Dark
If the day is already getting dark when one finds out they are lost, the best thing to do will be to prepare for the night when daylight is still available. Gather some wood, look for a good spot and make a fire. Try to get some rest so enough strength will be available for the next day’s challenge. A good night's rest can be all one needs to reboot the memory and help trace the way back to the right path.
6 Call Emergency Service
When all fails, a call can be a lifesaver and the right call to make in this situation is a call to an emergency service. When calling the service, explain the situation on the ground as detailed as possible and give them information about your current area. A team of hunters may be dispatched to engage in the search, and this can lead to the lost getting found.
5 Create Signals
If one has called for rescue, it obviously means help is on the way. But for the rescuers to locate the lost hiker, signals have to be created. There are many ways to create signals that work. At night, for instance, a flashlight can alert rescuers miles away of one’s precise location. In this case, one just needs to create occasional flashes. Lighting a fire also works as the smoke can travel high enough for rescuers to see the signal. To make this effective enough, cover the fire with fresh leaves to magnify the smoke, but this has to be done carefully, especially in summer when wildfires can easily be started. When creating signals, there’s also room to get creative. Since some rescue missions use helicopters, a large SOS sign made with rocks can be easily seen from the sky. Whistling and yelling can also be used, but one has to conserve their energy as much as possible.
4 Be Prepared Beforehand
One of the best pieces of advice one can get when going on a hike is to pack every needed equipment. The hike can get interesting, and hikers can go much deeper than they originally intended. With the right hiking equipment, they can overcome any situation that may come up. In the case of getting lost, some advice might be to use a compass or a GPS, but this can only work for those who have that equipment. Hence, it is extremely important to always prepare adequately, no matter the type of adventure one is embarking on, as the wilderness can be unpredictable.
3 Bring Out Those Nomadic Skills And Stay Alive For Rescue
Human ancestors were nomads who were skilled at surviving outdoors. These skills are still inherent in every living person, but only certain situations can ignite them. Getting lost in the wilderness is a situation that can trigger one’s survival mode and bring out some survival skills. This will help one remain alive long enough for help to come. Sometimes a rescue mission takes days or weeks, so one must be consistent in creating signals to make the mission successful. A nomad will find food to eat, look for water to drink, stay warm, fight infection, and tackle fear and these are the exact things lost hikers should also do.
2 Climb To A Higher Ground
Trees, mountains, and other obstacles usually contribute to the confusion of hikers trying to find the lost path. One easy way to overcome this is by climbing to higher ground and taking a look around. A tall tree or mountain can serve this cause, but one must be careful when climbing trees to avoid falling.
1 Retrace Your Steps Back
A good way to find a lost path is to retrace one step back. One can simply think of the way they got to the exact spot they’re standing and then follow the map back until they get to an area where they’re familiar.