@a13x916

1 week ago

Not a true getting lost/survival situation but I still would like to share my experience with the TOGR community. I went on a solo overnight trip to an area I've never been to before couple of years ago. I brought a ton of gear and was certain I had everything that I needed. I got to my destination spot for the night which was a valley in a canyon alongside a little creek with no other live soul around for miles and decided to break camp. The first thing I decided to do is to charge up my phone which was the primary tool for navigation (alltrails app with option to download the map offline and use it when no cell service is available). Through out the day I used up my phone battery to nearly zero thinking it's not a problem because I had a powerbank and a solar panel. My whole world turned upside down when unpacking my electronics bag and realizing I left my phone cable at home. I've never felt this level of panic and anxiety in my life. I was in the middle of nowhere with no idea on how to get back. I was about 8.5 miles away from starting point and my initial thought was to hurry back to the car with vague memory of the trail path that I've taken to get to camp but with sun already setting I knew it was a bad idea. Another issue was there very few water sources along the trail so even though I had more than a day worth of dehydrated meals I would still need water to cook it. I made the decision to stay at the camp and craft a plan for the morning. First thing I did was turn off my phone and place it in my pocket to keep it warm because I knew the temperatures would drop in the 30s and will completely kill the battery. I didn't eat dinner or sleep well that night. When I woke up in the morning, I filtered two 1 L bottles and filled up a 2 L reservoir with creek water. I started my ascend out of the canyon with little issue because there was only one path in and out but I knew the trail paths will split once I'm at the top. I got out of the canyon and headed in the direction where I remember I came from up until the point where the trail split and I had no idea which way to go. I powered up my phone and was luckily able to see the direction I'm supposed to be heading. I headed in the right direction but then once again came across the terrain I was not familiar with. I powered up my phone again which once again surprisingly turned on and it showed me that I have walked past the trail that I'm supposed to be on by a few miles. The option to walk back was not good because I didn't know how much more I can rely on my phone and I've already missed the turn out once so how am I going to find it again. I saw on the map that there is a trail next to me that leads in the direction of my starting point so I decided to take a chance with it. Another wave of panic and anxiety came over me when about a mile in there was an old sign saying the trail is closed. I decided to keep pushing through as options to go back were even worse. The trail path ended up being not too difficult at all, a few fallen down trees and washed out trail but overall it was an easy hike. The sign of relief came when I finally stumbled upon an old miner basket (not sure what it's called) and I knew exactly where I was. I got off the trail in one piece and realized how hungry and dehydrated I am (was saving water just in case I would not be able to get out). The gas station burrito and gatorade I bought on the way home tasted like the most delicious food I ate in my life. Anyways, this is my story where I truly felt like I was in a survival/getting lost situation even though it really was not. Strength and Honor! Have a great day everyone! PS: please excuse my many grammar mistakes :))))

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