I got lost in nature
- Wild Dirt
- Nov 15, 2023
- 2 min read
A guide to get back safe with no connection
It's autumn, the leaves are falling and the temperatures are dropping. It is the perfect setting to lose yourself in the trees and enjoy an autumnal retreat. But 'Folklore' stops playing, and suddenly 'lost in the trees' takes on its literal meaning.
First of all, don't panic. It may sound cliché, but it is essential in a situation like this. Also, don't walk long distances if you're unsure where you're going. Even if your battery is dead, there are plenty of clues that nature gives us to help us find our way when we get lost.
Get a compass
It may sound like an ancient and somewhat mystical accessory. Still, it can be handy for orientation, as it clearly marks north and south.
Follow the sun
With the sun as your reference point, you have several options:
- Find the sun. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. So if it is in the morning, your shadow will be cast to the west, and if it is in the afternoon, to the east.
- Are you wearing an analogue watch? If so, use it. Point the hour hand at the sun. The centre between the hour hand and 12 o'clock on your watch indicates south in the northern hemisphere.
Moss on trees
Moss often grows on the north side of trees because that is where the sunlight is least likely to reach. So, if you find it, you can use it as a clue as to where the north side is. Walk in the opposite direction to where you found it.
Using the sea
If you have the sea nearby, try to find a landmark that you can use as a guide and follow it.
Walk at night?
When it gets dark, look at the stars. Look for the North Star; it will help you identify the North.
