What should I do if I get lost on a hiking trip? Tips on getting lost while hiking. If you get lost or if you are lost for an extended period of time, stay put, especially if you feel there is a good chance...
If you get lost or if you are lost for an extended period of time, stay put, especially if you feel there is a good chance people are looking for you. If you are moving around, it is harder for them to find you. Obviously try to be aware of your surroundings and try to retrace your steps as best as possible. It all depends on how long you have been lost. If you are only lost for a couple of hours and you are by yourself, no one is really going to know that you are lost. So if you have been lost for 8 - 10 hours or overnight and someone is expecting you back at home, they will probably have people out are looking for you eventually. If you are lost overnight, stay put. You want to find a warm place to hunker down for the evening. That could be a tree well or a cave if you can find one. It will be like a little place to sleep with twigs.
Definitely try to make a phone call with your cell phone if you do have cell reception. Build a fire that creates a lot of smoke with wet wood to show your location if people are looking for you.
