If you're in a group, don't split up: you'll just make the search party's job even harder. Even if one of you does find the path...how will that person communicate it to the others?

2torial #0434: Learn2 Behave When Lost in the Woods (Continued) Retrace your steps (if appropriate) If you've decided to try and undo your error, then hike in the direction from which you came, keeping careful track not only of orientation but of time. If you've been lost for ten minutes but a ten-minute walk doesn't return you to your trail, you're just getting more lost. In such a case, pause and return to your original location, then try again. When retracing: Try tracking yourself: you weren't on a trail, so you probably left tracks you can follow in reverse. One handy trick is to frequently look over your shoulder as you're retracing--the idea is to recreate the view you had when you were walking there in the first place. Looking back might refresh your memory of a particular landmark, or help you recognize familiar terrain. If you don't have a compass: To be certain you won't stray from your intended direction, line up three landmarks in the direction you want to go, all following a straight line from your line of sight. Then walk in a beeline (i.e., as straight as possible), keeping the landmarks in sight. For a more detailed response, see 2torial #0472 Improvise a Compass (Day or Night) Leave a sign: As you go, it's a good idea to leave markers, or a sign, to help potential rescuers locate you. Ways to leave a sign include dragging a heavy stick, propping up sticks or rocks in unnatural ways or making a flag from a stick and some trash or a cloth. Step 4