How to Survive if You Get Lost in the Backcountry
That sinking feeling when you realize you’re off-trail and lost in the backcountry is hard to ignore. The instinctive response while staring at a maze of trees or an endless expanse of rock and bush, where everything looks the same, is to panic. But that won’t do you any favours. Whether it’s accidentally getting separated from your group, taking a wrong turn or simply losing track of your surroundings, getting lost in the backcountry can happen to anyone, even the most seasoned adventurers. But by taking the right steps, you can significantly reduce the time it takes to be found safely. Here’s what to do if you realize you’re lost in the backcountry.
Stay Calm and Assess the Situation
“In a survival situation, the first threat may not be the lack of shelter, water or food, but how you deal with basic instincts—the fight or flight reflex,” explains Sandra Riches, executive director of BC AdventureSmart. “This is an instant decision on your part to either stand and face a threat or to run.”
Staying calm is essential for clear thinking and smart decision-making. To help you assess your situation and plan your next steps, Riches suggests using the acronym S.T.O.P (Stop, Think, Observe, Plan), a simple but effective way to stay focused and in control.
Stop: Find a safe place to sit, take deep breaths and resist the urge to bolt in any direction out of fear. Instead, assess the situation by checking if anyone is injured or needs emergency care.
Think: Try to recall your last known location and when you last knew exactly where you were. Consider how long you’ve been lost and look for landmarks like mountains, rivers or trails that might help you reorient. Also, consider how and when you’ll contact Search and Rescue (SAR).
Observe: Pay attention to your surroundings, the time of day and changing weather conditions. Riches advises scanning the area for a safe spot to set up a shelter or an open clearing where SAR teams could easily spot you—while being mindful of any immediate hazards.
Plan: Take time to strategize. Riches suggests using your essentials to respond to the emergency, like starting a fire if restrictions allow and putting on any extra warm or waterproof clothing you have.
Stay Put
Wandering aimlessly can make it harder for SAR to find you by increasing the search area. Once you realize you’re lost, the only reason to move is if you’re in immediate danger. “Place yourself in a safe location that is not exposed to hazards such as swift-moving water, on top of or below a cornice, near slippery ledges, on an open spire exposed to the sun or near a tree well,” says Riches. “You will be found faster and often in better condition by staying put, helping SAR volunteers locate you quicker. If you move around, it’s more difficult for searchers to find you, and you’ll place yourself in danger.”
Conserve Energy and Stay Warm
Focus on staying warm and visible. Build a shelter to protect yourself from the elements, which will not only help retain body heat but also make you more noticeable to SAR teams. If conditions allow, start a fire, keeping in mind any hazards and restrictions. Aside from providing warmth and comfort, a fire can also send up smoke signals during the day and provide a light source at night, making you easier to spot. Riches also suggests keeping warm by building a nest using materials like sticks, branches, lichens and moss to keep you off the ground.
Ration Water and Use Navigation Tools
Even more essential than food, managing your water supply wisely can prevent dehydration and help sustain your energy. Take small, regular sips to stay hydrated, and if you need to find more water, look for natural sources like streams or lakes, purifying the water before drinking it. Before you move away from your original spot to find water, use your map, compass, GPS or phone to pinpoint your location and mark your path to avoid getting even more lost.
Make Yourself Visible and Signal for Rescue
Make it as easy as possible for SAR to spot you by wearing bright clothing and creating signals like an “X” or an arrow pointing in your direction—in an open area—with rocks and logs. If you have any brightly coloured gear to spare, like hats, gloves and stuff sacks, hang them on nearby trees to make yourself more visible.
Three short blasts on a whistle are universally recognized as a distress signal, making it a simple yet powerful tool in an emergency. “The best help is the one closest to you, and a whistle is easy to have clipped on a zipper tab,” says Sebastien Marcoux, Visitor Safety Advisor for Parks Canada. “Make noise periodically to up your chances of being heard.” If you have a mirror, use it to catch the sunlight and signal passing aircraft. Alternatively, the reflective surface of an emergency blanket can also pick up the sunlight and help you get noticed.
Don’t count on your phone as your main lifeline. Marcoux recommends carrying a satellite communicator like InReach, SPOT or Zoleo. “Most of them now have two-way communication, allowing for better information exchange between the user and the rescuer, enabling a more efficient response. Some devices need to pair with a mobile device, so it is important to know what one is getting and how to use it,” he says.
Take These Preventative Measures to Stay on Track
Whether you’re hiking, camping, climbing or paddling, even on a short-day trip in a well-traveled area, getting into the habit of sharing a trip plan with an emergency contact is a must. “A trip plan is the single most important thing one can do. It is extremely difficult for SAR responders to figure out where to look if they don’t know where one was planning on going,” explains Marcoux. “Depending on the situation—in winter or during a traumatic incident—it may make a significant difference in survivability if searchers have to first check multiple trailheads, boat launches or recreational campsites to find a vehicle or some clues before even starting down a trail or shoreline, which is complicated enough.”
In the trip plan, include details like where you’re going, your planned route, the gear you’re carrying and when to expect you back, along with clear instructions about when your emergency contact should call SAR if you miss your check-ins.
While apps like AllTrails and onX Backcountry are convenient for navigation, they’re not foolproof, and your phone battery can die. That’s why Riches recommends you bring along some tried-and-true tools to stay on track. “For outdoor enthusiasts, it’s crucial to enhance navigation and route-finding skills by carrying at least a map and a compass, and know how to use them. Research your route or trail before heading out and, during your adventure, pay attention to your surroundings, like natural features and trail markers, to keep oriented.”
Before setting out on any outdoor adventure, it’s crucial to equip yourself with the right knowledge and skills for the activity you’re tackling and the season you’re in, as this prepares you to handle the specific challenges of the different activities and environmental conditions. “Prioritizing training not only enhances your skills but also fosters confidence in your abilities while exploring the great outdoors,” says Riches, referring to activity-specific training like avalanche skills for winter backcountry trips, navigation, route-finding and wilderness first aid.
She also points out that while many focus on physical training for outdoor adventures, far fewer consider the mental preparation needed. “Your first line of defense in any situation you might encounter while enjoying the great outdoors is your common sense.”
To thrive in the outdoors, Riches says to know your limits. Be confident enough to call it a day if conditions shift or you’re not physically up to the challenge ahead. Run through survival scenarios in your mind and imagine a positive outcome every time. “Without mental strength and endurance, your physical strength and skills can be severely compromised. Remember to train your mind as often as you train your body.”
