Stay put or try to find your way?

Bumpkin · 07-21-2010, 04:58 PM

If you get lost do you stay where you are and wait for help? Or do you try to find your way out? If I was really, really lost I'm sure I would end up getting myself deeper into the problem by trying to find my way. I have a terrible sense of direction.

outdoors Joe · 07-21-2010, 10:05 PM

It's so easy to get lost in the woods. If I was in a spot where there were roads fairly close in all directions, I'd try to find my way out, being very careful to keep going in the same direction. If I was in a place with few roads, I think waiting for help might be best.

Bradsalex · 07-22-2010, 01:01 AM

Well it depends on the situation... am I alone or with a group. If I'm with a group I would try to remain in the same location where I got separated hoping they would come back to that area and retrace their steps. If I were alone I would surely make my own way out. I am fairly good with knowing which direction I'm going and which direction I came from. I don't have trouble recognizing previous areas that I've already passed because I try to pick out the stuff that sticks out in the surrounding area. A crooked tree or something that just isn't the norm. I don't think I would have much of an issue getting myself un-lost.

Charlene · 07-22-2010, 09:07 PM

I think it would depend on whether I was alone or with a group, as well. If I were separated from a group I would stay put. If I was alone, I would keep moving and try to leave markers for myself. If nothing else, at least I'd feel like I was trying to do something...rather than sitting and hoping someone finds me.

KeikoOka · 07-23-2010, 02:30 PM

If I am alone and I have my compass I will probably try to find my way. I have a very good sense of direction. If I am with a group we always tell people to stay put if they get lost.

southerngal · 07-24-2010, 11:00 AM

I think if you are with a group it is always best to stay put and this is where those survival whistles come in handy. If I was alone though I would attempt to find my own way out.

fresh · 07-24-2010, 07:01 PM

It really depends on the situation and the extent that I get lose. Usually I try finding my way myself because that is when you really learn but I do not want to get stuck out in the middle of nowhere neither.

Bruen · 07-25-2010, 03:13 AM

I've never gotten lost in the woods, but you know what they say..never say never. I have a good sense of direction and I always have my compass with me when I'm in the woods. I'm usually the one who finds the missing people. So I'd try to find my way out.

northernbushape · 07-26-2010, 05:56 PM

For me it depends on the situation and the likelihood that I will actually be able to walk out from wherever I am. I have been caught without navigation with a buddy many years ago and we did in fact make a 2 mile circle right back to where we started from. All we accomplished was getting hungry. The underbrush was nuts and it took the better part of 6 hours to make that small journey. I wanted to stay put, but my buddy talked me into going for it because he was certain he could find the mystery road that turned out to be in the opposite direction to where he figured it was. We found it by fluke the following day when we heard a logging truck in the distance and followed the sound. After that we simply walked to our camp which was maybe half a mile beyond that. The whole time we were maybe a mile from our camp, but completely disoriented.

Nobody wants to be stuck in the wilderness against their plans, but realistically, I would also not be one to blindly grope around in mountain terrain in the pitch-black of night, nor would I attempt heavy forest travel by night where there was no trail. The underbrush and dead-fall can be very hazardous.

If I knew I could make my way to a road or a river etc that would lead to me being found or hitching a ride, I would go for it, but if not, I would definitely stay put, build a shelter, and a big signal fire.

Lots of damp pine bows will make plenty of white smoke that can be seen for miles. My hope would be that a forest ranger or conservation officer would see the smoke and investigate. I would also waft the smoke up in groups of 3 puffs like native smoke signals. The groups of 3 are generally recognized as distress signals.

I don't think there is a cut and dry answer to this question as each scenario will dictate your priorities. For me I would weigh out the consequences to my life and safety and make the appropriate decision based on all the factors. I cannot do much of anything if I have broken a leg stumbling around.