Hiking in wilderness areas can be challenging and, if you get lost along the way, downright frightening. If you are considering a sojourn into the backcountry or largely untouched wilderness, it is vital that you understand the basics of navigating the wilderness if you do not have or lose your compass or GPS unit.
The first key to finding your way back is knowing the location of your starting point. Your average walking speed is also important in order to determine the distance you’ve traveled from the starting point. The typical adult averages about 3 mph. One of the most useful tools to any hiker navigating the wilderness without a compass is a map, preferably of the topographic variety that will display the contour of the terrain. When you know you are headed into remote territory, it’s always a good idea to attempt to source a map that will convey necessary information.
Even without a map, a distant landmark can be used for navigational purposes, provided that you knew the position of the object at the start of the hike. This “catch” feature, which may be a mountain of a certain shape or the only one in the area capped with snow, can put a disoriented hiker back on course. A “handrail” is to a hiker something that can be followed for some distance, such as a creek or canyon, and may even lead back to the starting point. An “attack point” is something specific, such as the confluence of two identifiable rivers, which can be used to ascertain your exact location.
An analog watch, one with an hour and a minute hand, can be used in lieu of a compass to help hikers in navigating the wilderness. In the Northern Hemisphere, compass points can be determined by pointing the hour hand directly at the sun and ascertaining the point between it and the 12 o’clock position, depending upon whether it is before or after the noon hour. It is also possible to navigate the outdoors at night by using the North Star, remembering that it will remain stationary no matter the time.
In following the simple rule of staying on the prescribed trail and taking note of markings along the path, you should be able to determine your location without any additional aid.
Featured Image from Dennis Buchner/Unsplash
