So you are out on a nice backpacking (or hiking) trip and suddenly realize you don’t know where you are.  You know – the trail you were following just is not visible and when you turn around you can’t see it that way either.  What to do?

• Protect yourself for immediate danger.  Treat injuries and stay out of nasty weather.
• Calm down and get oriented.  Sit, relax, and do nothing.  Sometimes a change in attitude reveals important clues you overlooked.
• Stay put.  One of the few times you should move is if there is almost no chance of a quick rescue.  Another is if you can safely get to a much more visible location, like an open meadow.
• Provide clues to assist searchers.  Break branches, tie ribbons, and build rock cairns in obvious locations.  Light a smoky fire, blow a whistle, or use a signal mirror.  Make a big X on the ground (universal sign of distress) with gear or by digging an embankment in snow.
• Improve your comfort.  Set up a tent or build a shelter to get out of the weather.  Make sure you are still visible, however.
• Respond to searchers.  Believe it or not some hikers are too embarrassed to be found.