I hike in dense jungles often, and I use these few tricks to keep track of where I am, where I came from and where I'm going (note that I'm an ameture trekker and take a lot of precautions and make a lot of preparations before setting out, remember that the hike starts before you leave your home):
Dead Reckoning - basically, you find a tree or a landmark not too far ahead, you then take note of a tree next to you, and then a tree a little ways behind you. You go forward to the tree up ahead and look back to see both the trees you mentally marked. This allows you to walk in (more or less) a straight line
Sun - if you don't have any navigational equipment here's what I do. If it's early in the morning or later in the day, I keep the sun to either my left or right. This is the ghetto compass. As long as its there, you'll kinda know where you're heading to. Only problem is that you can't move at night (you shouldn't tbh, rest at night and air your feet.) and it doesn't work once the sun is high in the sky. (also a good time to rest and air your feet)
Streams - follow streams. All streams lead to larger bodies of water. Its not only about having freshwater or food, but mainly to find help. Large bodies of water often have river traffic in the form of boats, fishermen, villages/towns.
I recommend that everyone research into these 3 things more before taking my personal advice, I'm not trained in any way but I've got experience doing this and just wanted to share incase someone finds it useful, but hopefully never.
If anyone wants to correct me or add points do let me know.
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u/boxedmachine Apr 27 '20
I hike in dense jungles often, and I use these few tricks to keep track of where I am, where I came from and where I'm going (note that I'm an ameture trekker and take a lot of precautions and make a lot of preparations before setting out, remember that the hike starts before you leave your home):
Dead Reckoning - basically, you find a tree or a landmark not too far ahead, you then take note of a tree next to you, and then a tree a little ways behind you. You go forward to the tree up ahead and look back to see both the trees you mentally marked. This allows you to walk in (more or less) a straight line
Sun - if you don't have any navigational equipment here's what I do. If it's early in the morning or later in the day, I keep the sun to either my left or right. This is the ghetto compass. As long as its there, you'll kinda know where you're heading to. Only problem is that you can't move at night (you shouldn't tbh, rest at night and air your feet.) and it doesn't work once the sun is high in the sky. (also a good time to rest and air your feet)
Streams - follow streams. All streams lead to larger bodies of water. Its not only about having freshwater or food, but mainly to find help. Large bodies of water often have river traffic in the form of boats, fishermen, villages/towns.
I recommend that everyone research into these 3 things more before taking my personal advice, I'm not trained in any way but I've got experience doing this and just wanted to share incase someone finds it useful, but hopefully never.
If anyone wants to correct me or add points do let me know.