Earlier this year, the family of a 63-year-old hiker went into a frenzy after the elderly woman went missing while hiking. According to NBC 4 New York, the woman’s family knew she was accustomed to taking long hikes on Sunday mornings. However, when she didn’t return home by 10 p.m. on Sunday, March 3, they became concerned.
Twenty-five hours later, with the help of law enforcement, rescue units, and social media, the woman was found safe. Police reports describe her as being disoriented and lost in the woods until she was found on Monday, March 4.
Hikers getting lost while exploring the woods and national parks is a serious matter. According to records obtained by the New York Post, at least 1,180 people were reported missing from U.S. national parks between 2018 and the first two months of 2023. According to a study from SmokyMountains.com, 41 percent of lost hiker go missing because they wandered off a trail and couldn’t find their way back.
Depending on how long you’ve been lost and what resources you have, getting lost while hiking can be a life-or-death situation. Travelers and outdoor explorers must know how to survive if they ever wander off the path while on a nature adventure. The folks at SmokyMountains.com identified the top four resources you need to survive if you get lost while hiking.
Warmth
The first thing travelers should seek out if they get lost while hiking is a source of warmth. If you’re hiking in warmer climates, this may not be as important during the day. However, temperatures drop at night and frigid cold can lead to frostbite and hypothermia. One of the easiest ways to survive getting lost while hiking is to stay warm. When Annette Poitras, 56, got lost hiking through Eagle Mountain in Coquitlam, British Columbia, her dogs saved her life. She’d injured herself and lost her phone. Her three dogs would rally around her at night to keep her warm. Finally, rescue workers were able to find her when they heard her dog barking.
Not everyone gets lost with canine companions. SmokyMountains.com suggests using extra clothing and camping gear, and even starting a fire to stay warm if you get lost. Other options include exercising to maintain body heat or digging a hole into the ground and covering it with dirt to stay warm.
Shelter
Finding shelter when lost on a hike or in the woods can be difficult. However, SmokyMountains.com suggests using what you can in the environment around you to survive. When 45-year-old, Alan Austin got lost in the backcountry of a ski resort, he had no options around for shelter. To survive, he dug a six-feet deep hole into the mountain using his hands and ski pole. He gathered branches from the surrounding trees to use as insulation so he could survive through the night in the snow. According to the study, most hikers who have survived going missing used branches, rocks, and other shrubbery to create a temporary shelter to protect them from the elements.
Water
An easy way to make getting lost while hiking even worse is to become dehydrated. Water is one of the most important things to keep handy when traveling in the outdoors. Whether you’re going on a quick nature hike or exploring more expert-level terrains, you should never venture out without water. Dehydration can lead to disorientation, heat stroke, hypothermia, and heat exhaustion. While conducting their research, SmokyMountains.com spoke with a hiker who got lost while exploring the lava field on Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii. After nearly two days without water, the hiker started squeezing water from moss and plants around him to avoid dehydration.
If you run out of your own water while hiking, the next best option is to find a stream or water source nearby. However, not all travelers have access to fresh water. The next best option is squeezing water from plants or seeking out puddles to minimize dehydration symptoms until you are found. According to the study, six percent of lost hikers surveyed said they drank their own urine to avoid dehydration.
Food
The last essential to have to survive getting lost while hiking is food. Depending on the length of the hike, not everyone brings snacks and food resources along with them. However, this could be the deciding factor in surviving being lost while hiking. The majority of lost hikers surveyed were able to survive off their own rationed food supply. But some folks had to resort to other means to survive, like eating berries, plants, and even bugs. Foraging and hunting are also an option for travelers with those skills.
It’s important to be proactive when exploring in nature. Anything can happen, especially while hiking alone. It’s important to remember these four essentials if you ever find yourself lost in the wild.
