From the large animals that prowl the forests and make their dens in the desert to the insect ecosystem that ensures our survival in its own way, and the beautiful scenery that houses us all, it’s easy to see why backpackers are so passionate about their hobby.
But this same love of exploration can be dangerous, especially if you’re lost in the wilds. The most important thing to do before you enter any hiking trail is to read the park signage designed to educate intrepid explorers like you. On top of that simple but often ignored helpful step, try these 5 tips to avoid getting lost when you’re backpacking.
1. Stay on the Trail
Yes, it sounds like general advice, but how many times have you seen something just off in the distance and decided to check it out? Whether it’s a river running through the woods, an animal they just had to see, or something shiny, it’s common for a lot of backpackers to leave the trail in search of something intriguing. After all, that’s why you went there, right? To explore!
But stepping off the trail is a quick and easy way to get lost, especially if you’re in an area where everything looks the same, like a forest. If you must leave the trail, never go so far that you can’t see it, and always look for markings that tell you where you are.
2. Bring Travel Tools
How will you know which way you are going? Many amateur hikers rely on their phone’s GPS system, but what happens when you lose service or your battery dies? Be sure to bring a navigation tool. It can be as basic as a compass or a multi-purpose tool like a Swiss Army Knife with a compass feature.
Always keep a flashlight with extra batteries in a watertight container in your backpack. Although the goal is not to get lost, if you do, having a rain poncho, a lightweight tent, and extra food and water are literal lifesavers. Don’t forget the first aid kit, matches or a lighter to start a fire, a flare, and sunblock.
3. Listen to the Weather Forecast
Lots of people think the weather forecasts are just as often wrong as right, but the reality is that when there’s a prediction of bad conditions, you don’t want to take the chance that it’s accurate when you’re on a trail. Not only is it miserable to be stuck in wet, cold precipitation, but it can be dangerous and difficult to stay on the trail.
Look at the weather for the actual area you’ll be hiking in, not the surrounding town or city. Check it again before you get out of your car and enter the trailhead, or, at the very latest, the last point you have cell service.
4. Use Your Phone Smartly
The days of needing to be near an outlet to charge your phone are long over. However, you should still use your phone wisely, even if you have a solar charger. Unless you’re using an app as your navigation system, keep the phone on airplane mode or off until you need it.
If you choose to use a backpacking app to track your path, be sure to familiarize yourself with it before you go hiking. These apps can come in handy whether you have cell service or not, but if you don’t know what you’re doing, you may not have prepared the program to work when you need it most.
5. Stay Aware
Are you backpacking to get from Point A to Point B, or to enjoy the scenery and time you have in solitude? Regardless, it’s vital to your safety that you stay aware of what’s going on around you. Watch your surroundings and look for any landmarks that might help your internal location system if you get lost. Keep an eye and ear out for changes in the noise around you, which can be warning signs that a predator is nearby that could force you off your trail.
Situational awareness is similar to a GPS in our brain that can keep us safe and alive — if we choose to use it. Stay aware, and you’re less likely to get lost.
