Hunter, 72, survives 19 days in snowy California wilderness

Reuters via Yahoo News ^ | 10/14/13 | Karen Brooks

[GOPJ]

You’re right - that’s one tough old man...

[Resolute Conservative]

Compass and a map is all I have ever needed.

[RedMonqey]

you merely need to always travel downhill and eventually you will end up in civilization.

To be more precise, follow a stream.

No matter how it twists and curves it will eventually cross a bridge or roadway or lead you to more navigatable waterways that is heavily used.

This works for swamps because even they drain somewhere, albeit at a much, much slower pace..

In deserts, look at a distance object,and make a straight path towards it.

Or at the very least track the sun.

But, it is wisest to stay put, especially if you have told others that you have plans to be in that area and suppose to be back at an certain time.

Had a great Den father in cub/webelos who inisted we know this.

[RedMonqey]

I used to think traveling in circles while lost was a made for TV thing. Wrong!

There's a simple reason why lost people go in circles... One leg is longer than the other and it applies to everyone!

The human mind doesn't perceive the minute differences and is "tricked" into thinking it is going straight when it is traveling is a slightly arc pattern.

I'm sure those with knowledge beyond a mere Webelo scout(me)and have actual military training can expound more on this subject...

[driftdiver]

Or if you have a general idea of the area you can use a compass to make your way to a road or trail that you know is somewhere to the east.

[driftdiver]

Yeah I was in Florida, there is no downhill, or uphill or hill.

I got lost in dense vegetation heading to my treestand. Was pissed at myself since I had those glowing nighteyes all the way to within about 4 feet of the tree my stand was in. Still managed to get turned around in the extremely dense brush on a moonless early morning.

[PeterPrinciple]

One leg is longer than the other and it applies to everyone!

---

There is some debate whether the problem is that one leg is longer or one is shorter.

It also appears that only 50% have the problem?

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/is-one-of-your-legs-longer-then-the-other.html

Thank you for my morning humor.

[driftdiver]

Its not the leg length but length of stride and having to walk around obstacles. People tend to choose either left or right more often resulting in an overall circle.

If you can choose landmarks correctly you can counter this tendency.

[no-s]

you merely need to always travel downhill and eventually you will end up in civilization.

That thesis could kill you in winter on the coastal ranges in northern California (where the guy was lost). The ravines are where it's coldest, it's slippery, it's wet or frozen, and getting out once you're downslope may be impossible. The whole thing may end up in a pond or a marsh or an expanse of bottomless green-shaded mud. Or at the edge of cliff overlooking the ocean. Searchers can't see into the ravines so they won't see you or your signals.

[SVTCobra03]

I will not go into unfamiliar woods without a handheld GPS.

You might also want to take a satellite phone with you.

[driftdiver]

I just skip all the middlemen and take a search and rescue team with me. Its heavy but the feeling of safety is priceless.

[RedMonqey]

Yeah a compass is always good to have in one’s pocket when venturing in the woods but it seems those need it the most, “green” hunters or the urban dwellers out to “experience” the glories of nature, never have it.

Not that would matter, I doubt they wouild know how to use it...

[RedMonqey]

I stand correct on the generalization but stand pat on the rest.

Not sure what was humorous but if you found it funny, no problem here.

I love a good laugh, even if it was unintended! ;-)

[RedMonqey]

Its not the leg length but length of stride and having to walk around obstacles.

Yeah, no arguement here.

In dense woods where the canopy does't allow distance view of landmarks, one lines up two trees with a third ahead in as straight as possible direction and walk to the second tree, lined up the third and look for a fourth and proceed, looking backwards for any course corrections.

Then repeat until help or civilization is found.

[driftdiver]

I couldn’t even do that in this case. There was no moon and it was pitch black. The trees and vegetation were so dense you could see about 5 feet with a flashlight. A compass was the only thing that allowed me to get my bearings. I could have waited until dawn but was a little nervous since it was public land and deer season.