| Camping and hiking are wonderful ways to get | | | | wilderness areas usually blows from the |
| close to nature. Adventuring in the wilderness is | | | | northwest, so the tall pine trees will lean slightly to |
| uplifting and refreshing. However, there are | | | | the southeast. This is another way that can be |
| something important things that every camper | | | | quite accurate. The old folk tale about moss on |
| should be aware of on a camping trip in the great | | | | the north side of trees, can't be relied on for |
| outdoors. | | | | positive directions, as moss can grow on all sides |
| If you're heading off into a remote area, there is | | | | of a tree trunk. |
| always the possibility that someone, adult or child, | | | | Follow a stream downhill. This generally leads to |
| will get lost. Prepare everyone in your party | | | | civilization. (In the US that is.) Don't walk along the |
| ahead of time with the do's and don'ts of | | | | immediate bank, where there are many thickets, |
| navigation in the wilderness. | | | | bog holes, side streams, and swamps. Follow the |
| Someday you WILL become lost if you wander | | | | general water flow and it will lead you out of the |
| the backwoods long enough. The important thing | | | | woods. |
| is to be prepared when it does happen. | | | | When you finally realize that you are lost, stop, |
| Have you ever heard the old adage, "Indian no | | | | don't make the search into a foot race between |
| lost; teepee lost." Be at home in the woods, and | | | | you and the rescuers! In most parts of the US |
| you'll never be truly lost. A night in the woods | | | | you can't be more than 24 hours away from |
| can't be too uncomfortable if you know how to | | | | searchers, if you will just cooperate. |
| deal with the situation. | | | | Sit down think things out. Build a campsite on a |
| Standard advice to a lost person: Don't panic. | | | | riverbank or lakeshore if possible. Gather as much |
| Everyone feels some trepidation, but never loose | | | | wood as you can before nightfall. Try to make |
| your sense of reason. Stop and listen to common | | | | yourself comfortable next to your campfire |
| sense. Don't let fear take over your sensibilities. | | | | throughout the night. |
| Even experienced woodsmen have been lost, and | | | | The next morning is the time to go about getting |
| panicked, then lost their life after becoming | | | | yourself rescued. Gather up a large armful of |
| disoriented, losing their reasoning abilities to panic. | | | | green branch and pile them on your campfire. The |
| Instruct children what to do if they should | | | | smoke will billow into the air, making it simple for |
| become separated from you. Give everyone a | | | | searchers to find you. Don't build more fires, just |
| whistle to hang around their neck. Teach a child | | | | keep the one you have billowing smoke into the |
| that if he becomes lost, people will be looking for | | | | air. Sooner or later the forest service will see the |
| him, and not to hide from the "strangers" that are | | | | smoke, and come to check out what's happening. |
| trying to help. Of course, they should know to be | | | | Wave a piece of clothing (preferably light-colored) |
| cautious around strangers at all other times. A | | | | to signal that you are unhurt. Even if the plane |
| recent boy scout who was lost in a Utah | | | | leaves, stay put. They are probably radioing to |
| wilderness, stayed hidden for several days while | | | | the ground crew your location. |
| searchers combed the woods around him! | | | | Stay by your fire, even when you hear people |
| Make sure your child understands that he shouldn't | | | | approaching. It's dangerous to leave the fire |
| keep wandering when separated. Stop and wait | | | | blazing. Also, the sounds in the woods can be |
| for someone to come, instead of wandering | | | | deceiving. You may just be running in the opposite |
| farther away from the searchers. | | | | direction of the searchers if you head off after |
| Never head into the woods with out the basics | | | | voices. Give them a chance to find you. If you |
| along with you. Bring a map, compass, matches, | | | | have a gun, fire a shot. If not, shout loudly. |
| and knife on every hike. You never know when | | | | Getting lost can happen to anyone, even |
| something unpredicted will happen. | | | | experience backpackers. The most important |
| Bring along a compass and map of the area in | | | | thing, is to stay sensible and help yourself by |
| which you are traveling. In these days of | | | | helping the searchers find you. |
| technology, a GPS is indispensable on wilderness | | | | True wilderness survival is a matter of prevention |
| backpacking and camping trips. | | | | and preparation. If you are prepared every time |
| Tell someone where you are going and when you | | | | you enter the woods, you'll never be caught |
| expect to return. If you do this, rescuers will | | | | unprepared. Then you can enjoy the wilderness |
| know where to start looking. | | | | fully, be confident and even if you get lost, it's |
| There are many ways to find your directions in | | | | just another adventure! |
| the wilderness. The most common way is to | | | | Copyright 2004 Camp Spot all rights reserved. |
| locate the North Star at night. The wind in | | | | Republished with permission from author. |