There are few things in this world more frustrating than getting lost while on a wilderness hike. You’re tired, hungry, and thirsty and that’s when you’re feeling good! If you lose it because of a navigational mistake, the situation can become dangerous quickly.
Whether you’re new to outdoor recreation or just want to improve your skillset, here are some common mistakes that get made by even experienced hikers:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Always carry a map and compass |
| Pay attention to landmarks |
| Tell someone your planned route |
| Practice orienteering techniques |
| Familiarize yourself with maps and compasses |
| Use natural indicators for navigation |
| Stay oriented at all times |
| Avoid common wilderness navigation mistakes |
| Invest in classes or workshops to improve your skills |
| Stay calm and avoid panicking in case you get lost |
(Note: The markdown table syntax creates a border around the table, which may not be visible in all formats or platforms.)
Forgetting That You Need A Map
It’s easy to think that you won’t need a map, because you have a compass. This can be a mistake, however.
While maps are not always accurate (they’re drawn by humans) and can be difficult to read in the field, they still give you information about where you are on the planet in relation to where you want to go.
They also provide additional information about what terrain might be ahead of or around the corner from your current location.
Any good navigator will tell you that maps are not a substitute for good navigation skills; instead, they should be used as an aid when using those skills.
Without this knowledge of how to use both tools together effectively, it is possible that one could end up lost in their own backyard!
Wilderness navigation can be challenging and mistakes can lead to dire consequences. Make sure to read our guide on the top 10 wilderness navigation mistakes to avoid to stay safe and ensure an enjoyable wilderness experience.
Relying On Your Gps
A GPS unit is a great tool to have in the wilderness, but it’s not infallible. GPS units can’t tell you how to get to your destination, nor can they tell you how to navigate in the wilderness if there are no roads or trails.
They also don’t know what to do if you’re lost—they can only guide you back on course once you figure out where that course is!
That said, a GPS unit can be a lifesaver when there’s no other way of finding your way around but it shouldn’t be considered an end-all-be-all solution for navigation in remote areas.
Pros and Cons of Relying on GPS for Wilderness Navigation
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Provides accurate and real-time location data | Electronic devices can fail or run out of battery |
| Can offer detailed maps and satellite imagery | GPS signals can be obstructed by natural features or interference |
| Can help track progress and plan routes | Heavy reliance on technology can hamper development of wilderness navigation skills |
| Can provide emergency communication options | Users can inadvertently wander off course without realizing it |
| Can offer additional features, such as weather alerts and wildlife tracking | Users may miss out on potential learning opportunities and natural experiences |
| May be more user-friendly than traditional navigation methods | Over-reliance on GPS can pose a safety risk in the event of failure |
Relying On Your Smartphone
Relying on your smartphone. This is a mistake that many people make, but it’s not the best idea. Smartphones are not designed for navigation and they don’t have any of the features you need to be successful at navigating in the wilderness.
They aren’t waterproof, they don’t have compasses or maps on them, and they can run out of battery power or get damaged or lost—all things that happen more frequently than we’d like to admit.
Access to clean, safe water is crucial for survival, especially in emergency situations. Learn more about the best water purification tablets for emergencies in our guide to stay prepared and safe in the outdoors.
Misinterpreting A Feature On A Map
You’re in the wilderness and you have to navigate. You use a map and compass, but what if you misinterpret features on the map? This can lead to serious mistakes.
The first thing to understand is that maps are not always 100% accurate. They are based on best guesses by people who work for companies that sell maps, and they can be wrong. Sometimes they are just bad guesses, but sometimes they might not know something important about where they are mapping or how to draw a map with accuracy.
Before going out into the backcountry, take some time learning how to read maps (and compasses).
Learn what different symbols mean so that when you encounter them on your hike or expedition, it will be like seeing old friends again instead of something strange and foreign!
Top 5 Map Reading Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistakes | Description |
|---|---|
| Misinterpreting a feature on a map | Misunderstanding or misidentifying a map feature, such as a contour line or topographical symbol, leading to incorrect navigation decisions |
| Incomplete or outdated maps | Not having an up-to-date or accurate map, or not referencing all necessary maps for a given area |
| Over-reliance on technology | Relying solely on electronic devices to navigate, without backup methods or manual navigation skills |
| Failure to orient a map | Not properly orienting the map to match the direction of travel, leading to incorrect navigation decisions |
| Lack of scale or distance reference | Not using the map scale or distance reference to estimate distance and travel time accurately |
(Note: This table is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for proper wilderness navigation skills and techniques.)
Taking The Wrong Bearing
Make sure you have a map and compass.
Check that your compass is working properly by using it to determine the cardinal direction (north, south, east, west) of something nearby.
Double check that you’re using the correct map for your orienteering adventure. A topographic map will be much more useful for wilderness navigation than an area road map printed on thick paper stock since it depicts contour lines and other features helpful to navigation.
Confirm that you’re taking the right bearing with respect to magnetic north (which is not always obvious). You can do this by checking which end of your compass needle points toward “N” when suspended in mid-air; if it doesn’t point northward correctly then adjust accordingly with a tiny screwdriver or coin until it does so
Building a shelter in the wilderness is an essential skill for wilderness survival. Check out our comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to build a shelter in the wilderness to stay safe and protected during your next adventure.
Not Using Your Compass Properly
You have your compass in hand, but don’t know how to use it. You need to make sure you’re using it correctly.
Your cardinal directions are North, South, East and West (or NSEW). These will help you determine direction. If you don’t know how to hold your compass properly, or if the hand of its needle is not aligned with the north end of the card reading “N”, then check that out first.
It’s important that when trying to navigate by compass alone, you should always be moving toward something recognizable such as a landmark or trail marker as opposed to simply walking in a straight line because this is more likely to get lost when dealing with topographical features like ravines and gullies which can easily throw off your bearing if not using other navigation tools like GPS units or compasses with declination adjustments built-in which are used for areas where magnetic north varies from geographic north (which does occur).
A good rule of thumb is that anytime spent wandering around without knowing exactly where one currently stands could cost them days worth their life if they run into unexpected weather changes while being exposed out on open ground during these periods..
Failing To Adjust For Declination
Declination, the difference between true north and magnetic north, can vary depending on where you are in the world. If you’re using a map that doesn’t adjust for declination, you could be off by as much as 40 degrees!
To get rid of this problem, check your compass’s manual to find out if it requires an adjustment. If so, simply put your compass on level ground and rotate it until the red end of the needle points toward where it should be facing (true north). The needle will now always point to true north even when held vertically or horizontally.
Navigating the wilderness can be incredibly challenging, but it’s an essential skill for any adventurer. Check out our list of essential skills for wilderness navigation to ensure safe and enjoyable outdoor experiences.
Not Looking At The Big Picture
Going back to the map, it’s important to take note of what’s around you and how things look. It’s easy to get lost in the details of your compass reading or GPS coordinates, but if you’re paying attention to the big picture as well, then it’ll be easier for you to figure out where exactly you are.
For example: If I’m hiking through a forested area and see a mountain peak in front of me with snow on top (as shown below), then I know that I am traveling north because snow only sticks around at higher elevations during winter months.
Traveling Without Tools Or Skills
One of the most common reasons people get lost in the wilderness is that they don’t prepare for the worst. It’s easy to think of your journey as one that ends happily and without incident, but you need to be prepared for anything.
Before you go on a trip, make sure you have an emergency kit with some food and water so you can survive if something goes wrong. And while it might seem like common sense, make sure you know how to use all of the navigation tools (e.g., map, compass) in your kit before venturing out into unfamiliar territory!
Now let’s look at some other ways you can avoid getting lost on your next adventure:
Encountering dangerous animals in the wilderness can be a terrifying experience. Make sure to read up on what to do if you come face-to-face with a grizzly bear to stay safe and be prepared in the outdoors.
Letting Panic Kick In When You’re Lost
If you’re lost, staying calm can play a big role in helping you to find your way. Getting panicky and making poor decisions will only make things worse, so it’s important to stay levelheaded and work through the following steps:
Stay alert. If you’re tired or dehydrated, your senses will be dulled and your ability to pay attention to your surroundings will be reduced. This can lead to an increased likelihood of getting hurt while trying to get back out of the wilderness on your own.
Look for familiar landmarks if possible before nightfall sets in (if nightfall is imminent). You may be able to recognize where you are based on where the sun rose or set yesterday morning—if so, use that as an indicator for which direction home might lie when it’s dark out!
If none of these strategies work, there’s no shame in calling in reinforcements from friends or relatives who live nearby:
Let them know how far away you think they are from where they started out; tell them what type of terrain they’re walking across right now; describe any geographical features like rivers/lakes/mountains/caves near their current location; give them any landmarks such as trees bearing fruit (apple trees!)
Or rocks shaped like animal faces… anything that might help them locate themselves accurately enough at least until someone comes looking through all those coordinates sent over text message last night!
Conclusion
We hope that by reading this, you’ve learned more about the importance of navigation in the wilderness and how to avoid mistakes.
If you are new to navigating with a map, we recommend starting with an easier adventure and working your way up.
The more practice you have with your navigation gear before heading into the wild, the better equipped you will be when it comes time for an emergency.
Further Reading
If you want to learn more about wilderness survival and navigation, here are some additional resources to check out:
Top 10 Mistakes in the Backcountry by The Survival University: This article discusses the top 10 mistakes that people make in the backcountry and how to avoid them.
Wilderness Navigation Techniques by Miss Adventure Pants: This blog post outlines important wilderness navigation techniques, including reading a map and using a compass.
Top 10 List of Natural Navigation, Lostproofing & Orienteering Tips, Tricks & Advice by Wolf College: This list provides helpful tips for natural navigation and orienteering in the wilderness.
FAQs
What is wilderness navigation?
Wilderness navigation involves using various skills and tools to navigate in outdoor environments, such as using a map and compass, natural navigation, and other orienteering techniques.
Why is wilderness navigation important?
Wilderness navigation is important for several reasons, including staying safe and preventing getting lost in unfamiliar environments. It is also an essential skill for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and backpacking.
What are some common wilderness navigation mistakes to avoid?
Some common wilderness navigation mistakes to avoid include not carrying a map and compass, not staying oriented, not paying attention to landmarks, and not telling someone your planned route.
How can I improve my wilderness navigation skills?
You can improve your wilderness navigation skills by practicing orienteering techniques, taking classes or workshops, and familiarizing yourself with maps and compasses.
What is natural navigation?
Natural navigation is the practice of using natural indicators, such as the position of the sun and stars, wind direction, and the shapes of hills and valleys, to navigate in the wilderness.
Hi! I’m Hellen James, and I am the founder of Unified Survival. I have a deep passion for the wilderness and everything that goes along with it. I’ve been hiking since I was a child, and I grew up camping in state parks all over the country. But it wasn’t until recently that I learned how to survive in the wilderness.