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Have You Been Lost?

Have You Been Lost?

Were you ever lost in the wilderness? How did you eventually find your way out? What have you done now to prepare better in case such a situation arises again?

Lost You Have

Yeah, I've been lost in the wilderness before. The best initial thing to do is to calm down after that first adrenaline shock hits and take stock of the situation. What I did was I climbed to a high point, took out my map and compass, oriented myself using resection and intersection, made a plan and selected a general direction to get out, and then stuck with the plan. Ultimately, the best things one can do in this situation is to be prepared when you go into the wilderness in the first place. It makes it much easier to calm down when you realize you have the tools to survive.

Have You Been Lost? History & Civil Business Politics

I have gotten turned around before but not really lost. I have a very good sense of direction and when I do find myself turned around I just take a few moments to reorient myself to the direction I wish to take. I usually always have a compass with me so I can always find north. The rest is easy.

Lost You Have

Yes, I have been lost. Went hiking with a friend of mine in some remote country. The trail was gaining a lot of elevation but had a lot of switch backs. We had the brilliant idea to just cut the switchbacks. The terrain was really rough and we ended up off course. We had no idea where the trail was. The plan was for a day hike so we didn't have supplies for overnight. That was not good feeling when we knew we were lost.

We wasted so much time trying to find the trail again that early afternoon thunderstorms started to roll in. Those are never fun exposed like that. We just headed down the quickest way. Once we reached the bottom we finally figured out how to get to our vehicles. We had no compass or map. I haven't made that mistake again.

Edited: Kyrroeth on 27th Feb, 2017 - 1:58pm

Lost You Have

Getting lost is very easy for some people. It is what they do once they realize they are lost that makes a person. As long as you do not let panic set in and look around it does not take much to find your way. If you do follow a trail a good thing to remember is to not leave that trail.

Have You Been Lost?

Once, though it was more of a minor diversion than truly a matter of being lost.

Didn't have a compass, but I did have a watch. Between that and the sun, figured out cardinal directions. Between that, and the direction and approximate distance to a local landmark gave me a heading towards camp. Kept walking until I heard signs of life.

Have You Lost

Yes, not panicking is probably the most important thing. It's true for so many things, not just getting lost. KN, you are right. Staying on the trail is the best way to not get lost. While you might think you have a better path to travel, the trail is there for a reason.

Edited: Kyrroeth on 27th Feb, 2017 - 9:44pm

Have You Lost Politics Business Civil & History

True, but there is often so much more to see off of the trail. The thing is, if one decides to take that route make sure you are prepared, and that means prepared for the consequences of possibly getting mis-oriented or lost. I find that people are often not lost, they are just a little turned around, they get scared, overreact and then start making bad decisions, and then they do get lost.