Unless they’d made a hobby out of orienteering or something it’s doubtful that doing that would have entered most girls’ minds, probably going to get flamed but it’s one of those gender differences we’re not supposed to notice. Most guys would probably realize what direction the nearest town was and just go due east (or west or wherever it happened to be in relation) toward it, knowing that they’d encounter a road even in rural Iowa. I’m always amazed at people lost on mountains overnight in populated areas. Just look down, see those lights? That’s where the people are. Go there.
“I’m always amazed at people lost on mountains overnight in populated areas. Just look down, see those lights? That’s where the people are. Go there.”
And look out for bears along the way! ;)
I run Topo Maps on my iPhone. You can download the 1:50,000 maps.
If I’m going somewhere I download the maps that cover that area.
Handy little bugger. Works like a GPS with map features.
Use it mostly when I’m wandering the back woods of Uwharrie NF here in NC.
Only problem is it and programs like “Map My Hike” eat phone batteries in a few hours. I only run the map app for a “look see” every now and again - and carry a recharge power pack.
Most places you have to get up a hill to get phone coverage.
It's near Effigy Mounds National Monument, and from maps, it looks like certain areas are pretty remote, especially for tired, cold, bug-bitten, nettle-scratched and scared women at night.
Men get lost, too, in the wilderness but maybe a little more remote, not always. David Paulides has several books about people who get out in National Parks and just disappear, no trace to be found. It's very sobering.
He's written about Bigfoot, too, and I don't get too excited about that. Maybe I would if I thought I saw a big hairy creature. Oh wait . . .they had big feet, too.
But back to the women, there's got to be more lessons in here about getting re-oriented if you become lost. That Yellow river is one of the snakiest ones I've ever seen.
Experienced female backpacker here, with both wilderness survival and snow survival courses as background. Sometimes hard to tell when going “due east” or due any direction. Most lost people who don’t have a compass walk in a circle even if they try to walk in a straight direction because the human body will tend to favor one side over another. One wilderness rescuer told us that he always finds his lost victim if he searches in circles emanating from the point of origin. All of his rescues were guys, so what kind of guy thing are you referencing? ;)
Orienteering is a great sport and a great survival skill.
Guys out there: want to take your date on an interesting adventure? Take her orienteering! There is probably a group in your area.
” I’m always amazed at people lost on mountains overnight in populated areas.”
Here’s one for you. 18 year old got lost in the forest just outside the smokies for 11 days.
Teen walks out of Smokies after 11 days missing
http://www.smokymountainnews.com/news/item/20594-teen-walks-out-of-smokies-after-11-days-missing
He and his father were hunting ‘sang and got separated.
Granted it’s the wild TN side between Joyce Kilmer and the Park but still the old follow-streams-downhill rule wasn’t followed.