What to do if you get lost while hiking? Click here
Hikers who enjoy trekking in the wild often, after reaching the summit via a marked trail (tourist route), want to explore new, unmarked paths on the way down. This frequently leads to getting lost and stranded in the mountains. What should you do if you get lost?
1. Try to get back to your original route. Even if you’ve descended to the valley floor and are exhausted, you must push yourself to climb back up. Don’t take shortcuts or gamble on trying alternative routes.
2. If you can no longer find the original tourist trail on the mountain, try to locate a stream and follow its course. In most cases, a stream will eventually lead you out. If you encounter a waterfall, find a way around it and continue along the stream.
3. If there are no streams in the area, your best option is still to try to reach a higher vantage point. Use the sun or distant landmarks—such as villages, reservoirs, or roads—to determine your general direction. From that direction, choose a suitable and easily identifiable target hill or ridge, and head toward it.
4. If you’re in a group, consider splitting into two teams to attempt different strategies.
One team stays at the original hilltop while the other descends toward a chosen hill or ridge. The descending team should frequently look back and ask the team on the hilltop for feedback on their direction. If they start veering off course, those on the hilltop should signal them to correct their path using voice or gestures. By using this relay-guidance method, you can move forward in a coordinated manner without aimlessly circling in the valley.
So how can you avoid getting lost and stranded in the wild? Does simply carrying a compass and map prevent you from getting lost? For ordinary hikers and tourists with little wilderness experience, these tools are not particularly helpful. The safest approach is to stick to established trails and never recklessly leave the path in an attempt to take “new routes” down the mountain. If you intentionally plan to explore new paths, make thorough preparations beforehand: inform your family and friends of your plans, bring enough food and water, and mark your trail clearly along the way so you can backtrack if needed.
How to Determine Direction in the Wild
1. If you can’t find any reliable geographical features, use the sun to determine direction and decide which way to go. At noon, in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun is in the southern part of the sky; in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s in the northern part.
2. If the sun is hidden by clouds, place the blade of a knife or nail file vertically on a shiny flat surface like a plastic credit card or your thumbnail. Observe the faint shadow on the surface. The sun is in the direction opposite to the shadow.
3. If you have an analog watch with hands and it’s set to the local time, you can determine direction as follows:
Lay the watch flat and point the hour hand at the sun. Imagine a line that bisects the angle between the hour hand and the 12 o’clock mark. For example, at 4 p.m., the bisecting line would point to 2 o’clock. In the Northern Hemisphere, this bisecting line points south; in the Southern Hemisphere, it points north.
4. If the cloud cover is too thick to see the sun, observe moss on tree trunks or rocks. Moss usually grows on the side away from the sun. In the Northern Hemisphere, the north or northeast side tends to have more moss; in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the south or southeast side.
However, using moss to determine direction is not very accurate, so whenever sunlight breaks through the clouds, rely on the sun instead.
5. If you need to stay in one place for a while, you can use a stick in an open area to determine direction. About once an hour, mark the tip of the shadow cast by the stick. Connect these marks to form a line, which will indicate the east-west direction.
6. You can also identify direction by observing ant nests. Ant holes are typically built facing south.
7. On a clear starry night, you can navigate by the stars. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Big Dipper can help you locate the North Star, which lies in the north. In the Southern Hemisphere, the Southern Cross roughly points south.
8. In winter, due to sunlight patterns, snow that remains unmelted is generally on the northern side.
III. How to Avoid Getting Lost
Unless you have a fixed landmark to guide you, it’s easy to get lost because winding paths, dense forests, and long distances can obscure your destination. To prevent this, remember the following methods to avoid getting lost:
1. Always observe your surroundings to determine your direction. Before leaving your tent, car, log bridge, boat, or any other point of reference, carefully study the terrain and take in the landscape as far as you can see. Identify fixed landmarks such as peaks, cliffs, temples, or large trees that can serve as directional guides.
2. Before setting out, memorize the prominent landmarks near your campsite so you can use them as guides when returning.
3. When you leave a road, a stream, a trail, a river, a mountain peak, or a temple, remember which side you left from and use these as key reference points for your route.
4. Keep track of how many streams you pass on your way in and out, how many peaks you cross, and how many forks you encounter along the journey. Sketch a map of the path you’ve taken.
Self-Rescue Basics
Setting Up Markers
Before heading into unfamiliar terrain, besides carrying small high-powered flashlights and whistles for signaling, it’s best to bring a piece of red silk cloth. When you need to change your route during the trip, make clear markers so that rescuers can identify them.
Building Shelter and Awaiting Rescue
In sparsely populated and rarely visited unfamiliar areas
If you get lost and cannot determine the correct path, never blindly try to find your own way out. Instead, stay put and wait for rescue. Keep a clear head and use the terrain and any available materials to build a simple shelter (preferably in a sunny spot) to protect against harsh weather. Avoid strenuous activities during this process to prevent sweating excessively, which can lead to catching a cold. Conserve your energy.
Signaling for Help
During the day, gather damp twigs, leaves, and weeds to create a lot of smoke by burning them, serving as a signal to rescuers. At night, use a flashlight to shine in a regular pattern toward the sky and nearby mountaintops (or prominent, highly visible landmarks like large rocks or solitary trees). Also light a campfire for warmth and to keep insects and wild animals away.
Supplementing Food and Water
Look for water sources and ration the food you’ve brought. If necessary, collect wild plants you can positively identify, preferably cooking them before eating to avoid allergic reactions. Try to catch insects, fish, or small game (you can smoke or air-dry leftover meat on pine branches for long-term storage without spoilage) to replenish energy. Prepare to survive for at least 72 hours.
Staying Warm
Protect yourself from the cold and prevent hypothermia. If you don’t have warm clothing, gather as many dense broadleaf tree branches and leaves as possible to cover your body (if you haven’t brought a tent). Covering broadleaf layers with a layer of coniferous twigs can improve waterproofing. Additionally, dig a ground pit about the size of a sleeping bag in a sunny area if conditions allow—it’s even better if you can place some flat stones inside (to help retain heat). Place the collected branches and weeds in the pit to burn, then remove the ashes. This makes an effective sleeping spot for the night. Bringing a low-cost emergency blanket is an excellent idea.
Stay Calm
Once you realize you’re lost and unable to determine direction, stay calm and adjust your mindset. Quickly observe and understand the terrain, landforms, and vegetation around you, and make the most of these environmental features to improve your survival conditions. Waiting for rescue is the wisest choice for outdoor adventurers.