QUESTION: Hiking routes: what to do if you get lost?

Finding yourself in a situation where you are lost during a hike in an unfamiliar area or in the wilderness, it is important not to panic and to act coolly. For the topic "Hiking routes", this is one of the most critical survival and safety skills. The first thing to do is to stop, calm down, take a deep breath, and carefully look around for familiar landmarks, sounds of civilization, or human traces.

Next, you should use all available technical means to determine your current location. Take out your smartphone or GPS navigator, check for a cellular network signal, and open pre-loaded offline maps of the area. If navigation devices are discharged or not working, try to remember the last passed landmarks, the direction of the sun, or terrain features.

If you cannot orient yourself independently, use a pre-prepared action plan in case of unforeseen failures. For this, it is useful to always have 2–3 alternative communication options, contacts of rescue services or a guide, and a pre-planned evacuation route. Having such a Plan B significantly saves nerves and allows you to make the right decision without unnecessary fuss.

When contacting rescuers or loved ones, clearly state your coordinates or describe visible landmarks, as well as the health condition of the group members. If there is no communication at all, stay in an open and safe place, make a fire to produce smoke signals, and wait for help. Proper preparation, including a detailed study of the route and the availability of backup communication means, helps to successfully resolve any emergency situations on a hike.