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By Rudy Nielsen |
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It happens to the best of us. You
are enjoying a marked trail, and
decide to go a little further than
you should into the unmarked woods.
Maybe you misread a map or your compass
settings, and wind up going the
exact opposite way than you should.
And all of a sudden, you find
yourself in an unfamiliar setting,
with no idea how to get home. That’s
right, you’re LOST! |
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Hundreds of people each year get
lost in British Columbia’s
wilderness. Most of them make it
back home alright. But what would
you do if it happens to you? Most
people get into trouble and/or get
lost when not prepared. I have
searched for a number of people who
have become lost. (Just about all of
them were not prepared). It is
surprising how many people get lost
by just leaving their car and
heading into the bush a short
distance away, only to get
completely turned around and be lost
within a matter of minutes, or by
just leaving a main hiking trail for
a short distance. |
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The best thing you can do to prepare for getting
lost is to let somebody know where you are
going. Make sure before you set off for the bush
that you leave a hike plan including where you
are going and when you are returning. Then make
sure you stay with the plan. That way, someone
has a general idea of where you are going.
The most important rule in the bush is, when in
doubt, or if you think you are lost, sit down
and think. The best thing that you can have in
situations like these is a clear head. Do not
panic, but try to look at your surroundings.
They may help you get your bearings, allow you
to retrace your steps, and set you back on a
right course again. If you find that this does
not help, take a few deep breaths. Look at the
trees, the sky, the lovely scenery, and
concentrate on the beauty of your location for a
while. Then, pull out your map and compass and
try again.
If you believe that a search party will be out
looking for you, and you have some supplies, you
may want to consider staying put, and letting
the search party find you. Help your searchers
to find you by using smoke from a fire, using a
signal mirror, or, if you must move to find
shelter, consider leaving a note describing
where you are going or directional markers to
help people find your new location. |
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However, what if a search party is not
likely to be looking for you, or you are in
a situation where you need to find your way
back as soon as possible?
The first thing you should do is to
determine where north, south, east and west
are. The easiest way to do this is by using
your compass. Take out your compass and
determine north and south and lay a stick in
a north south direction or mark it in the
ground. If you don’t have a compass, look at
the sun and determine where you are
approximately. You know that around noon the
sun should be the highest, so determine
approximately where north is. (The sun rises
in the east and sets in the west). |
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When in doubt, sit and think |
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If you don’t have a compass and it is a cloudy
day you have to go by the hints given by the
land. You know that the southern slope gets the
most sun. This is where the game feeds in the
wintertime. Everything is brighter on the
southern side than on the northern side. In
dense bush you will find moss growing on the
north side of a tree. Hills will have more grass
and less snow in wintertime. There are lots of
little hints that will tell you where south is
by the terrain. Creeks and rivers - remember
that British Columbia has the Rocky Mountains on
one side and the coast range on the other side.
The Fraser River and the Thompson River run down
into Vancouver. The Skeena River and the Bulkley
River run out into Prince Rupert. All rivers and
creeks run into these major systems. It should
give you an indication of which way the water
system is draining and will give you some idea
where north and south is.
Once you have determined where north/south is,
try to remember where you came from. If you have
a map locate yourself approximately. Analyze
which is the easiest way out. And this is not
always going back to where your vehicle is
parked. Sometimes you are closer to a main road
and it is better going to that than circling
back through the bush. Once on the main road you
can possibly get a ride back to your vehicle or
walk.
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Look for recognizable landmarks |
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To find a way out, you can cover the
surrounding area looking for
recognizable landmarks, or signs of your
trail into the area. If you have a
compass, take a reading in the direction
you think your trail is, and then start
out. Make sure you mark your trail on
the way out- overturn large rock, use
red tape on tree trunks, or, in extreme
cases, blaze your trail by marking large
trees with your knife or break off tree
branches. Once you have exhausted the
possibility of finding the trail or
road, follow your trail back, and repeat
in the opposite direction.
Listen for sounds - cars on highways,
railroads, human voices. Sound carries a
long way in the bush, so stop and
listen. Look for signs like smoke
curling, which can mean a fire from a
campsite or a cabin. |
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In a situation where you will need to set-up
camp, make sure you stop about ½ hour before
dark to give yourself time to set up a shelter,
make a fire for the evening, and gather enough
firewood to last you the evening.
Always keep your head. If you do not panic, and
you follow the hints of nature, you will make it
back to civilization in one piece. |
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For More Information
http://www.adventuresportsonline.com/navigationtrail.htm |
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