Got lost last night....

N

newknife

Joined
Jul 6, 2008
Messages
588
Went for a hike last night and really got turned around. I went hiking at dusk in an area I'm not too familiar with. (We'll I did know that if I just hiked in one direction I would eventually hit the road.) It's amazing though how when you get lost everything starts to look the same! I had a flash light with me, a rat-1 folder, and a fire steel. After a while I eventually found my way home. Couple things I observed though was how when you get lost, especially at night in an area that's thousands of acres big, your heart rate can really pick up without you know it. I also got to thinking that if I had to spend the night out there it would have been nice to have a large fixed blade for battoning/chopping. Felt kind under knifed with my folder. Something I hadn't thought about much before.
 
Definitely true. It points out that that there isn't a "sense" of direction and visual memory isn't good to reply upon.
 
Glad it turned out to be a small matter! It's always a scary feeling at first though, no matter what. I have the habit of sitting down to make a cup of coffee when I get turned around.

Just curious, but do you believe you will be changing the kit you take with you on dayhikes, or changing the blade selection?
 
I'm glad you found your way out, and everything turned out o.k. In my opinion folders are for urban/workplace everyday carry, but for a woods hike (specially in unfamiliar territory) I'm never without my all time favorite pair; a Swiss Army Huntsman in my right pocket, and my USMC Ka-bar on my belt. Bails me out everytime!!
 
As others have posted, I'm glad you made it out and home safely! I would guess that you would have been just fine with the knife you had on you depending on your style of shelter building and fire prep.

I would also be interested what, if any other, gear you had with you. Coat, pack, emergency items, etc...
 
Been there before my friend
as soon as you realize you are lost use 3 rules...
STOP , DRINK AND THINK .

Don't let panic or worry cloud your judgement or rush you. Easiest way to hurt yourself or go the wrong way.

An amk heatsheet and a garbage bag should be in a jacket pocket with a fixed blade. Coupled with what you brought an impromptu overnighter is just a learning experience not life threatening.

Lots of good kit advice around here, make sure you work on the skills of using your gear(brain)and not just carrying it around.

You do carry a compass right? When lost do not count on your sense of direction aka "hike in one direction until I hit the road" Remember it was your sense of direction that put you there in the first place!

This was probably the incident that will propel you further and farther

regards
 
Easily done, glad it turned out ok for ya.
You mention going straight and hitting a road, did you know that going straight is actually quite difficult and that most people when lost nearly always veer to one side thus walking in a circle over a large enough area !
 
What never ceases to amaze me also is just how different the woods look after dark. I honestly don't do alot of hunting, but I have done my share of going to the stand before sun up or returning after dark. Once you get off the well beaten trail, it sure starts to look different. +1 on the good compass. I like the stop/drink/think also. Will try that next time.

Doc
 
Yea.. a lot of good advise. I hate to admit it, but after I made it home I got to thinking "hey stupid you could have just followed your own tracts in the snow back home". It's amazing the things you can forget or don't think of when you don't stop to think about the situation first.

I have the habit of sitting down to make a cup of coffee when I get turned around.
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I think that is a very good idea. Just stop, relax, and get a clear head. A clear head has to be one of the most important survival item!

Also, it's ironic because I have lots of other gear at home. Compass, lighters, fixed blade, all kinds of things. Over confidence though can be an enemy. I know the 15 acres behind my house fairly well. I had orginally planned on just going there for a walk but I continued walking farther....like I said a little over confident. Aside from learning what I mentioned above I also realize how valuable a lighter is. I had a firesteel with me but nothing really beats the convienince of a quick lighter when it's cold and dark. Don't get me wrong I've started a lot of lighters with the firesteel but I would prefer to have that as a back up.

Just curious, but do you believe you will be changing the kit you take with you on dayhikes, or changing the blade selection?
Click to expand...

I definitely plan on carring a more complete kit with me from now on and a fixed blade. It doesn't take a whole lot of gear to make your situation SO much better. Also, my fixed blade it 4 inches. I could definitely see the advantage of an even larger knife.

I also thought that if one was to go on a hike and REALLY get lost..like far away...it would be nice to have one of those little airhorns. People can hear those from a good distance.
 
little air horns? I never thought of that. I think a whistle would be better. maybe ear plugs too. Those whistles are very loud and small.
 
DrivebyTrucker said:
little air horns? I never thought of that. I think a whistle would be better. maybe ear plugs too. Those whistles are very loud and small.
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Yea...that would work well too, probably better because you wouldn't run out of air. I need to pick one up.
 
newknife said:
Yea.. a lot of good advise. I hate to admit it, but after I made it home I got to thinking "hey stupid you could have just followed your own tracts in the snow back home". It's amazing the things you can forget or don't think of when you don't stop to think about the situation first.

I think that is a very good idea. Just stop, relax, and get a clear head. A clear head has to be one of the most important survival item!

Also, it's ironic because I have lots of other gear at home. Compass, lighters, fixed blade, all kinds of things. Over confidence though can be an enemy. I know the 15 acres behind my house fairly well. I had orginally planned on just going there for a walk but I continued walking farther....like I said a little over confident. Aside from learning what I mentioned above I also realize how valuable a lighter is. I had a firesteel with me but nothing really beats the convienince of a quick lighter when it's cold and dark. Don't get me wrong I've started a lot of lighters with the firesteel but I would prefer to have that as a back up.

I definitely plan on carring a more complete kit with me from now on and a fixed blade. It doesn't take a whole lot of gear to make your situation SO much better. Also, my fixed blade it 4 inches. I could definitely see the advantage of an even larger knife.

I also thought that if one was to go on a hike and REALLY get lost..like far away...it would be nice to have one of those little airhorns. People can hear those from a good distance.
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more with your conclusions! An easy fire makes life better in a million ways when in a rough situation. Something I carry that makes all the difference is a few good hanks of fatwood. It's very lightweight, and totally waterproof. Takes a flame very easily, and doesn't easily extinguish. It's made my life easier more than once!

I wrote a small article on items I like to carry with me when in the woods, things that come in handy for moment-to-moment needs or for 'uh oh' situations. The only thing I carry always that I neglected to mention is a heavy duty garbage bag; they're considerably handy when you need insulation or help carrying leaves for a shelter.

http://woodsmonkey.com/index.php?op...e-bat-belt&catid=41:how-to-articles&Itemid=63
 
Air horns have a shelf life. Pea whistles have a shelf life as well, depending on what material the pea is made from. Anything is better than yelling.
 
A compass is essential. Look for something with luminescent accents that you can charge with a flashlight. Makes that night walking much easier. Also, get into a habit of scanning a map, even if its just a road map before heading in. Familiarize yourself with the boarders of the wilderness you are in, key landmarks. Just hitting a road, although psychologically helpful, may not get you out of harms way if you don't know which way to follow and how it can take you back to your vehicle or a safe area.

I agree on the comments about a folder. I never really felt I can trust them for anything hard and when it becomes your only tool, then you become even more cautious than you normally would with it. The exception I make is a SAK model with a saw. The saw will at least let you cut wood.
 
Rule #1 of hiking...

Never head out hiking without all the proper gear for an unexpected night in the woods
 
Would you be typing this had you broken your leg ?
Put a pack on. Next time you might not be so lucky.
Be careful out there and always expect the worse.

Every time you think " Oh I'll be back in an hour". Think Haiti.
 
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