Looking for a different way to celebrate holiday season this time of year. For first time hikers, it is a good day to start looking for adventures somewhere maybe overseas or in the wild to get that first climbing experience or rather go to the beach.
I asked questions too when I started to get curious in mountain climbing and was able to get answered when I started to climb, before I become a full pledge mountaineer I was once a rat hunter at the farm in my home town.
There, I used to go alone, hunt and started to train like a true hunter and get familiarize with the trail, orienteering and of course be good at hunting rats or mouse sometimes wild birds but foundation of this all started in scouting.
A question from a newbie mountaineer:
Sir what do I need to do to avoid being lost in a climb? Or if I were lost in the wilderness how can I get out safely?
The answer :
“An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.”
Many people get lost in the Mountains and become the subject of search-and-rescue (SAR) missions. In most cases, people simply wandered off of marked trails and lost their sense of direction. Losing one’s way in the forest can be an unsettling & frightful experience.
It is very easy to get lost in a hike, especially if you are not used to wilderness navigation.These tips regarding survival in the jungle may very well save your life.
HOW TO AVOID BEING LOST:
1. RESEARCH: prepare yourself by reading articles & IT’s of your target mountain or outdoor destination. Read comments, blogs & experiences of hikers about your target climb.
2. LEAVE A NOTE: Leave a Note at home detailing your trek time IT and return date contact numbers of people in cases of emergency.
3. TELL A FAMILY MEMBER: Never leave for any hiking trip unless you tell a friend, or a family member, or both where exactly you are going, and what trail you will be taking.
4. PREPARE FOR THE WORST: learn basic wilderness survival skills & if its possible it is ideal to self contain & bring your own shelter,food,outdoor equipment & survival kit.
5. TREK WITH A COMPANION: If you become lost, Stick together. Avoid solo treks as much as possible.
6. STICK TO THE TRAIL: Always keep to the trail, never wander off. This will keep you from getting lost in the first place.
IF YOU’RE LOST REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING:
- STAY CALM : Panic is your greatest enemy. If you run wildly around, even for a little while you could lose your sense of direction completely. Try to remember how you got to your present location.
- HOME BASE: Establish a Home Base as soon as you become confused. There is a natural tendency to panic when you feel lost.
- START RETRACING YOUR STEPS: Retrace your steps on every turn that you make, and try to mark the direction you are taking. You got off the trail? maybe ten minutes ago, so if you track back more than that time, you know you are on the wrong track.
- LEAVE A TRAIL : Leave markers where ever you go, so you can return to where you are. Also, if someone tries to find you, they will look for markers. Trail Ribbons,Stack Rocks,Broken branches etc. when straying from home base its easier to backtrack by using trail signs.
- STAY PUT IF ITS NIGHTFALL: If you are injured, or if you are near exhaustion. It is smarter to stay put and try to find your way out in the daylight.
- SIGNAL FOR HELP : Whistle blast,fires etc. its a must to have an easily accessible whistle in you. Trust me a P50 whistle can save your life in emergency situations.
- CONSERVE: Conserve Energy as much as possible & Stay hydrated.
- REMEMBER THE LAST RESORT: Follow a drainage or stream downhill or downstream. This can be hard going but will often lead to a trail or road. and you will eventually come to civilization.
However life-threatening the situation, don’t panic, there’s always a way of ensuring your survival.
Learn the basics & With proper training in land navigation,trail scouting,trail awareness,trail vigilance as well as jungle survival & preparation…
I am sure you will find your way back home.
SAFE CLIMBING EVERYONE!
Credits goes to Sir Jay Z. Jorge
At present, I’m a proud active member of L.O.S.T. Mountaineers. League Of Summiteers and Trailblazers now became Trail runners soon to be accredited by PTRA and then we have this dream to be a Triathlete one day. Let’s go Multisports community. Me and my group lately are organizing climbs for first time hikers, climbers or wanna be and we would like to make your first time experience is truly the memorable one. Keep in touch!
