| NATIONAL PARKS QUICKLINKS |
Also on Backpacker.com
Backpacker Magazine – November 2011
Rip & Live: Lost
More than 1,000 hikers go missing every year in our national parks alone. Most are found within hours, but basic skills can help you get home without making a serious—or even fatal—mistake. Follow this advice for staying on course.
Photo by This signpost is a clue that you're on the right track. (by Seaver)
Photo by A white blaze is a standard trail marker. (by J. Chow)
-
Tags:
- Survival |
- Skills |
- Navigation |
- Experts |
Stay Oriented / Look For Landmarks
Sit. Think. Observe. Plan / Signal For Help
Survive Overnight / Read Your Rescuers' Minds
Carry a Beacon
Sit. Think. Observe. Plan / Signal For Help
Survive Overnight / Read Your Rescuers' Minds
Carry a Beacon
S.T.O.P. (Sit. Think. Observe. Plan.)
Off track? Use this easy acronym to remind yourself that staying put is usually the best choice.
>> Sit. Unless your current location poses immediate danger, stop hik- ing. Rest and have a snack while you decide what to do next.
>> Think. Consider the places where you may have gone wrong. Try to recall landmarks or reference points you can use to pinpoint your location on a map. Assess your supplies, and the skills and resources of group members. Estimate the time and distance you traveled off- course and decide if you can backtrack, or if you should await rescue.
>> Observe. Use your compass to determine north, or set up a sun- tracking station (see backpacker.com/suntracking). Consider any approaching weather and other situational hazards that could worsen over time, like a limited water supply. Prepare to address them as early as possible and look for resources nearby. Scout access to hilltops (for potential cell reception or signaling opportunities) and water.
>> Plan. If you are confident that you can backtrack to a known spot, do it in the daylight and allow plenty of time to find shelter and water before dark. Check your direction of travel often, and mark your path with rocks or sticks in case you become disoriented again. If it’s too late to continue, or you’re not sure of your location, prioritize your group’s needs and stay put for the night. Tomorrow, reassess.
---
Signal for Help
3 ways to alert your rescuers
[[1]] Beckon search planes by building 8- to 12-foot letters out of high-contrast materials (like black rocks on snow, or bright clothes on grass). Universally understood: SOS (help), X (serious injury), or V (require assistance).
[[2]] Your cell phone may reach 911, send texts, or ping reception towers, which can help res- cuers estimate its location, even if it displays “no service.” Hilltops offer the best chance at connecting. Power down between attempts to conserve batteries.
[[3]] Create flashes visible up to 50 miles away with a signal mirror (improvise with your compass’ sighting mirror). Aim by holding two fingers at arm’s length, in a “V” shape pointed at your target, and manipulate the mirror so that the majority of light passes toward it through your fingers. Try to create a flashing SOS pattern every minute or so; three short, three long, and three short bursts.
Subscribe to Backpacker magazine
Sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter
Reader Rating:
-
Fall/Winter Gear Guide
261 reviews and camping tips
Boost Your Apps
Add powerful tools and exclusive maps to your BACKPACKER apps through our partnership with Trimble Outdoors.
Carry the Best Maps
With BACKPACKER PRO Maps, get life-list destinations and local trips on adventure-ready waterproof myTopo paper.
FREE Rocky Mountain Trip Planner
Sign up for a free Rocky Mountain National Park trip planning kit from our sister site MyRockyMountainPark.com.
Get 2 FREE Trial Issues and 3 FREE GIFTS
Survival Skills 101 • Eat BetterThe Best Trails in America
YES! Please send me my FREE trial issues of Backpacker
and my 3 FREE downloadable booklets.
Free trial offer valid for US subscribers only.
Canadian subscriptions |
International subscriptions
and my 3 FREE downloadable booklets.
READERS COMMENTS
Don't become a "missing hiker" --pack your own personal safety net; a copy of "Felix the Sugar Glider Be Safe Hike Smart" (Amazon) and a compass! Before you go, be sure to calibrate your compass for the declination at the location where you will be hiking. Go to: http://magnetic-declination.com A compass doesn't need a signal or batteries and works in all types of weather but you need to know how to use it and this book makes learning how to use a compass easy. Felix! explains how to orient yourself using a compass, a compass and a map, a map and no compass, no compass and no map. Look for it on Amazon, "Felix the Sugar Glider Be Safe Hike Smart." Anyone wanting to know direction and especially for those who want teach these skills to children might enjoy learning from this book. To feel more confident about orienting ourselves outdoors, we read thru this book before every hike - it's only about 34 pages and illustrated. The ability to know your way and know where you are is something we all need in any survival situation not just while hiking. Learn to stay found by using a compass and paying attention to your surroundings. Felix! teaches the reader what to pack for a day-hike, trail ethics, what to do if you get lost or scared, how to get rescued, and survival packing (for the car and for the trail) just incase you end up unexpectedly spending the night outdoors.
=== http://www.myvoguestore.com ===
moncler cl0thing $110
cheapest (TOP) N1ke A1r Max, Jordan (1-24) shoes $ 31
all style of UG~G $ 50
Nike sh0x (R4, NZ, OZ, TL1, TL2, TL3) $ 31
T-shirts (Polo, Ed Hardy, Lacoste) $ 22 $ 15Wig
Handbag (LV, Chanel, Coach, DG, ED Hardy.etc.) $ 30
Jean~s (True Religion, Ed Hardy, coogi) $ 30
Sunglasses (Di0r, Oakey, Coach, Gucci, Armaini) $ 16
hooded jersey $ 29 $ 16 A new era of belt (ED Hardy / BT) $ 15
Watch (Rolex) Scarf $ 80 $ 21
Bikini (Ed Hardy, Polo, Gucci, LV, Christian Audigier, Affliction) $ 15
monster head earphones
Accept international bank transfer, credit card,Western Union.
sale all kinds of world brand shoes, jean~s, t-shirts, bikini, beach
pants, handbags, wallets, sunglasses, belts, hats, watches etc.
=== http://www.myvoguestore.com ===
And don't forget to read Felix! the Sugar Glider Be Safe Hike Smart (Amazon). Learn essential hiking skills and how to navigate your way with and without a map or compass. A fast, easy read that could maybe save your life but definitely will make your hike more enjoyable and safe!
"—color-blind hikers can get disoriented when marked trails cross."
I was once lost for about a half hour on a short little trail in the Catskills because i just could not spot the deep red markers on the trees. Red/green color blindness is not that rare. Please, trail makers, do NOT use dark red markers. A lighter more orangy red would help but only when white, blue and bright yellow have been used up already. You could also use two shades of blue that are readily distinguishable and even color combinations( eg. blue & white). Anything but deep red.
I was struck with heat stroke on a hike in Tucson Mountain Park in June. One of the things that stuck in my head the whole time was to stay on the trail. I found a spot with "shade" next to the trail where someone could find me. No hikers came by but Search and Rescue was able to find me within a few hours. I followed my "stay on the trail" rule and stayed in sight even after I became confused and in and out of consciousness. I was lucky, they were able to capture my GPS signal after 2 hours of my calling 911. I only got through once but it was long enough. Another hour or so and I would have died.
Thanks SAR!!
I was struck with heat stroke on a hike in Tucson Mountain Park in June. One of the things that stuck in my head the whole time was to stay on the trail. I found a spot with "shade" next to the trail where someone could find me. No hikers came by but Search and Rescue was able to find me within a few hours. I followed my "stay on the trail" rule and stayed in sight even after I became confused and in and out of consciousness. I was lucky, they were able to capture my GPS signal after 2 hours of my calling 911. I only got through once but it was long enough. Another hour or so and I would have died.
Thanks SAR!!
Here's an idea. Place a written cardboard sign in back of the front windshield stating "If I Am Not Back By (such and such date) Please Call Emergency Rescue"
Anyone seeing your vehicle and sign may be of some help if you do get lost and are unable to find your way back.
A few years back I was solo waterfalling and became lost. Fortunately, and I had never done this before, when I exited my vehicle I wrote down my GPS location in the trail guide book. After back and forth of trying to find the return trail, I noted my vehicles location and began trailblaizing toward my destination and came within 100 ft of my car. I now orient my car's location and carry and use orange barrier tape to denote turns and off trail events.
This article has some good tips about how to stay found by staying aware and knowing your location. A good book for both adults and kids is Felix! the Sugar Glider Be Safe Hike Smart avail on Amazon. This book teaches not get lost while navigating trails in the outdoors, and find your way using a compass, map, trail markers, landmarks, and the sun and stars!
A fun and interactive “Hike Smart Activities” section reinforces the story’s safe hiking tips. It includes an easy guide to using a compass with and without a map, using the sun and the stars to find your way and lists important items to keep in a survival kit.
The ability to know your way and know where you are is something we all need in any survival situation not just while hiking.
This article has some good tips about how to stay found by staying aware and knowing your location. A good book for both adults and kids is Felix! the Sugar Glider Be Safe Hike Smart avail on Amazon. This book teaches not get lost while navigating trails in the outdoors, and find your way using a compass, map, trail markers, landmarks, and the sun and stars!
A fun and interactive “Hike Smart Activities” section reinforces the story’s safe hiking tips. It includes an easy guide to using a compass with and without a map, using the sun and the stars to find your way and lists important items to keep in a survival kit.
The ability to know your way and know where you are is something we all need in any survival situation not just while hiking.
ADD A COMMENT