Note to self: Next woodland walk, take fully charged phone, bear spray, granola bars and when I get lost, phone a friend! ;)
We have a lot of acres in woods and it was easy enough for me to get lost right here ‘at home!’ After six years now, I finally have our land broken down in my mind into ‘rooms.’ Beau has only had to physically come FIND me, once. I was on the other side of the ridge, and below him, so I just started yelling, LOL!
But, if you’re in unfamiliar territory, it can be pretty scary; especially at night.
Off trail can be scary in daylight, at least finding directions. I often find the cell phone is useless, I don't even get coverage at home unless in the open. And GPS a problem with any forest canopy. Just have to pay attention I guess.
I was always pretty good at dead reckoning and a Topo map showing major features. I can usually bound myself with landmarks — streams, rivers, escarpments, peaks.