After realizing you are lost while hiking, what should you do next?

When you realize that you are lost while hiking, orienting your map to align with the terrain and landmarks is crucial for effective navigation and ensuring your safety. This method allows you to accurately assess your position in relation to recognizable features around you, such as mountains, rivers, or trails. By properly orienting your map, you can identify where you might have veered off course and better plan your next steps.

This approach helps in visualizing your route and understanding your surroundings, which can significantly reduce panic and enhance decision-making. It empowers you to make informed choices about which direction to take next and can lead you back to familiar paths or help you find your way to safety.

In contrast, starting to walk in a random direction can lead to further disorientation, while trying to retrace your steps without a map may not be effective if you cannot accurately identify where you went wrong. Contacting someone for help is useful, but getting your bearings first by understanding your current location can make the communication process more effective when asking for assistance.