A GPS is essentially a high-tech compass. Compasses and GPS's are great if you haven't seen a map. It's important when you begin hiking to stop and really take a good reference point of where you're beginning, whether you're on a trail or not. It's easy to start on a trail and find cut offs or tributaries that go in different directions. You may choose to investigate one of them and get turned around. Always look for landmarks, check where the sun is, see where the road is, listen to your surroundings, and keep your eyes opened. Anytime you make turn, stop for a second and note anything that would give you a visual reference to where you made the turn, so you will recognize that when you come back.
