Sorry to hijack the thread... Don't like looking for lost hunters with SAR so adding my 2 cents. In teaching survival and core courses I like folks to consider themselves "directionally challenged", and never "lost". You always know your in Canada, bc, a certain valley, or near a certain feature of some sort. Directionally challenged has a less ominous ring to it, although as serious once nighttime arrives. It's all about managing what's happening in your noggin though. If ill equipped to travel in dark, time to set up for the night and sort out options - stay put, use sun, mtns, creeks etc. As an instructor I beg students to develop a working knowledge of using a compass beyond my introduction. My GPS is nice, my compass is essential. Last thing I'd add is folks should sometimes just stay the night in the bush with daypack once in awhile - sending a spot/in reach 'OK' to whoever was expecting you back tho, don't need SAR called out!
Sorry to hijack the thread... Don't like looking for lost hunters with SAR so adding my 2 cents. In teaching survival and core courses I like folks to consider themselves "directionally challenged", and never "lost". You always know your in Canada, bc, a certain valley, or near a certain feature of some sort. Directionally challenged has a less ominous ring to it, although as serious once nighttime arrives. It's all about managing what's happening in your noggin though. If ill equipped to travel in dark, time to set up for the night and sort out options - stay put, use sun, mtns, creeks etc. As an instructor I beg students to develop a working knowledge of using a compass beyond my introduction. My GPS is nice, my compass is essential. Last thing I'd add is folks should sometimes just stay the night in the bush with daypack once in awhile - sending a spot/in reach 'OK' to whoever was expecting you back tho, don't need SAR called out!
Not a hijack at all but rather a great contribution. Re-enforcing some key points on this thread so far... don't panic and start racing about, stay put if you're out of ideas and definitely time to set up for the night if darkness isn't far off. Better to get yourself set up in the last couple hours of light.
GPS, SPOT etc, all amazing gadgets, but knowledge of the area (or a map) and a compass is essential. The gadgets can fail and might not work when you're in deep with ridiculous canopy... could try your like climbing 30M for that reading--could also get yourself in more serious through though---which is probably useless when you climb back down and try to navigate 100M. Flagging tape can help things.
Directionally challenged, not lost is good psychology. You're in Canada still (probably) relax and enjoy!!
Glad we weren't really too far out or anything. It's pretty hard to get lost in a valley with a road through the bottom. You know which side you're on right? Hit mountains and climbing up... well you're probably going the wrong way. The thought of actually being in any sort of predicament never really crossed my mind. I was just surprised to be disoriented. It was like some kind of crazy maze... annoying to keep getting turned around in such a small area, but I can see how in other areas that could have been trouble as opposed to being home and stuffed full of grouse same day.
One point not mentioned so far. Tell people where you are going and when you will return. Your not going to be lost for long if people are looking for you and have your starting point.I,ve been lost twice,its very easy to do.See deer cross road ,follow deer,deer runs again,follow deer repeat once more and your lost.
One point not mentioned so far. Tell people where you are going and when you will return. Your not going to be lost for long if people are looking for you and have your starting point.I,ve been lost twice,its very easy to do.See deer cross road ,follow deer,deer runs again,follow deer repeat once more and your lost.
I sometimes wonder if deer get themselves confused. Could explain the Region 2 moose and whitetails.
Always tell people where I'm going and it's usually an hour or so out of cell phone reception.
It's so easy to want to change plans... check out a different mountain or whatever. It's best to avoid the temptation. A vehicle gives a starting point, but that's all it is... a starting point. If it comes to that, the odds are already sketchy at best.
Good points there Elkchaser...and yes OP I have been turned around a long time ago when I was soakin wet, not fun..for me, one of my main hobbies is bushwhackin and orienteering, I like pickn an area, go through the thick stuff explore and try to get lost, or sometimes even open areas and learning to mostly go on landmarks and surroundings..fortunately this hobby has let me refine my navigating skills and given me extra confidence out there, something I just wouldn't get while useing a GPS...
I always carry at least 2 compasses, and even some sort of pin to make an improvised compass if need be.. But if the sun is out, it is the best compass, and can cover any kind of ground including thick bush quickly rather than having to take bearings regularly..
One thing that I have done for a great many years is to trail white thread
along as I go into snarly places where it's easy to get turned around.
Even when entering a large logged block far from roads I'll run the thread
out into the slash a couple hundred feet so that I can return the same way.
The thread can be bought in 5000 yd spools, just don't buy any colour but
white. It's also a good idea to tie a large and then a small loop into it every
so often so that if you use it for a reference you'll know which way to return.
And paying attention to ridge lines, landmarks etc is very important, I also like to look back at my vehicle or starting point as I'm heading out..also paying attention to what nature is telling you can be a way to navigate..for example, in the winter you will get more snowmelt obviously on the sunny sides etc..even trees can tell you, there's usually more growth on the south facing side, although sometimes other trees or hills etc will create shade on a portion of the tree, so you kind of have to gather evidence of direction from many trees, rather than drawing conclusions from just one tree..it takes practice, but is really cool when you start paying attention to it..
And another thing I have learned is if you have a compass, but have no clue of your location and are absolutely stumped, just pick a direction, ie North or east, and stay course on a straight line, you eventually will hit a road, powerline, something..
And paying attention to ridge lines, landmarks etc is very important, I also like to look back at my vehicle or starting point as I'm heading out..also paying attention to what nature is telling you can be a way to navigate..for example, in the winter you will get more snowmelt obviously on the sunny sides etc..even trees can tell you, there's usually more growth on the south facing side, although sometimes other trees or hills etc will create shade on a portion of the tree, so you kind of have to gather evidence of direction from many trees, rather than drawing conclusions from just one tree..it takes practice, but is really cool when you start paying attention to it..
And another thing I have learned is if you have a compass, but have no clue of your location and are absolutely stumped, just pick a direction, ie North or east, and stay course on a straight line, you eventually will hit a road, powerline, something..
There are many places I've tramped into that if I picked the wrong
direction and stayed the course it would be days before I hit something
that would help. Even hitting a big powerline and heading in the
wrong direction can end up being a multi-day walk, and sometimes
coming to a extremely steep and dangerous canyon. Taking stock of
the general direction you're starting from can reduce unpleasant and
risky choices, especially if others are looking for you.
Another thing I practice is to leave obvious foot prints frequently if it's
possible in case I have to re-trace, or others are searching for me if
I'm injured and immobile especially.
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Originally Posted by Elkchaser
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