Today, the editors at Trailblazer () will introduce some common knowledge for dealing with getting lost in the outdoors. Getting lost is something any outdoor enthusiast has experienced. The reasons may include worsening weather, complex terrain, or wrong judgment. In such situations, the most important thing is to realize as early as possible whether you have deviated from the correct route.
Once you feel that the path you're taking seems questionable, you should make a decisive decision to stop moving, spread out your map, carefully compare it with the surrounding terrain, and discuss it with others before proceeding. If you get lost along the way and fail to take timely measures, the mistake will only grow worse. Not only will returning to the right route take more time, but if you run out of energy, you might even risk crossing desolate swamps or valleys. In such cases, the likelihood of encountering danger increases. Therefore, below we list various situations of getting lost and introduce corresponding coping methods.
Thick fog makes it impossible to see the route
When thick fog sets in, people often feel uneasy, and may even imagine rocks transforming into strange shapes or mistake tree trunks for ghosts. Once you feel the mountain has become vast and unpredictable, anxiety sets in, and you might even despair of survival, hastily seeking an escape route. Additionally, when lost, anxiety can breed fear, and in an attempt to escape that fear, you might end up wandering aimlessly. However, this blind behavior not only increases the chance of straying further from the correct route but also wastes precious energy unnecessarily.
When lost in thick fog, the first response should be to wait for the fog to clear. Unless the fog is accompanied by wind and rain, it will eventually dissipate. While waiting for the fog to lift, remember to wear a sweater or waterproof jacket to avoid catching a cold.
While waiting for the fog to clear, you should confirm your current location and try to determine the correct route. As you carefully observe the fog, you can also send someone with better eyesight and physical condition to scout ahead on foot. Your range of movement should be kept as small as possible, within sight of the waiting group or where voices can be clearly heard. If you separate, act efficiently over a short period because prolonged movement will exhaust energy and could result in some members getting lost.
Next, gather information such as discovered stone markers, trail signs, or footprints of people who have passed by, then discuss the next steps. If you find any usable clues, they must be confirmed by the team leader before proceeding.
Even so, if you still cannot find the correct route, consider returning to your starting point or setting up camp on the spot. Camping will be explained in detail later; here we only list points to note when deciding to turn back.
Where did the wrong turn begin? With careful recollection, you’ll likely identify a questionable spot. Quietly reflect and search your memory. If you’re confident you can return to that spot, make a decisive move. At that time, be mindful of your movements to prevent team members from getting separated. Someone with deputy leader qualifications should lead within sight of the followers. Don’t climb randomly up or down; observe carefully and take the most efficient route. The team leader should bring up the rear, keeping an eye on the whole group. If you still can't find the correct route, choose a place to camp or rest outdoors before your energy is fully depleted.
Completely off-route
What should you do if you deviate from the correct route on cliffs or in snow valleys? A single wrong step could lead directly to falls or slips. Therefore, in dangerous areas, particularly cautious judgment and action are required.
First, at the point where you realize you’ve made a mistake, secure your footing. If you’re on a cliff, find a stable ledge or secure spots for both feet and hands. If you’re in a snow valley, use an ice axe to carve out a stable foothold. Being on an unstable footing makes it difficult to think calmly. So, finding a stable stance is essential.
Next, decide whether to push forward or retrace your steps to the original correct route. Climbing up a cliff or through a snow valley is usually harder than descending. In principle, it’s safer to immediately retrace your steps, using ropes for safety and carving out secure footholds with an ice axe as you descend cautiously. Since it’s a route you've already passed, you can return to the correct path without rushing, as long as you stay calm.
If you choose to push forward, proceed with extra caution. Consider various factors: whether there are problems with the route, if you might encounter dead ends, or whether you need ropes and ice axes. Moving forward is only advisable if, after a short stretch of cliff or snow valley, the route becomes easier, or if you can reach the correct path within a short distance.
The most difficult situation when completely off-route is getting lost in a swamp area. In valley regions filled with waterfalls, cliffs, and other obstacles, it's rare to find a new path. Unless major changes like typhoon damage or waterfall collapses have occurred, there should still be clear, previously established routes. If you have a guidebook, comparing the shape of the valley or features of the waterfalls will generally keep you on the right track.
When climbing cliffs, most people ascend straight up and then traverse diagonally upward. However, mistakes in diagonal traversing are common because it’s especially difficult near cliffs—there are no footholds and the rock faces are overgrown with brush. If you notice your footprints disappear or feel unsure, immediately return to the original route and continue searching for the correct one.
If you realize you’ve mistakenly entered a valley, it’s best to turn back before getting stuck. Continuing forward may unexpectedly lead to waterfalls or subsequent challenges like steep valley walls, thickets, and more.
Losing the Return Route
Rushing to return often leads to getting off the return route as well. Especially when descending through jungle areas, you might come across a shortcut that seems to have appeared out of nowhere, making it confusing to judge whether it’s the right path. Since incorrect routes have been walked by countless others, they may initially appear reliable. When the entire group is returning, do not go back individually; carefully verify the route as you retrace your steps.
What should you do if you deviate from the correct route while returning? If you can see the correct route up ahead and can easily rejoin it, you may continue forward. Otherwise, you should immediately turn back to the point where you went wrong. And the sooner you take this corrective action, the better.
When descending a mountain, it often takes just a short time to cover a considerable distance. But as the saying goes, “The ascent is easy, the descent is hard,” and climbing back up is even more difficult. Reascending the same distance wastes a lot of time and drains energy. Therefore, if you have doubts about the route while descending, stop immediately and take a decisive turn back. This is the correct approach to avoid having to climb again—an important point to remember.
Entering a Route with Wildlife
A route with wildlife usually has several distinctive traits: it’s extremely narrow, often only wide enough for one person; the path is commonly overgrown with grass or runs like a tunnel through bushes. Even on slopes, it doesn’t meander but descends in a straight line. Furthermore, flat resting spots may be littered with animal droppings, and from there you can quickly reach the vicinity of streams—the path just keeps going. Such a trail is likely used by wildlife.
If you realize you’ve entered a wildlife route, turn back immediately. These paths often lead to valleys or completely uninhabited areas, and continuing will only take you further from the correct route.
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