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An experienced, well-led group is unlikely to get lost.
A mobile phone with a map app or a handheld GPS is invaluable for resolving any uncertainty about location.
However, members of a group can get separated and then lost.
This is potentially very serious, especially if the members are inexperienced, unfamiliar with the terrain and location, and not carrying an emergency communication device. Major searches have resulted when a person has become separated from their group.
How can a group member get separated?
During the day’s walking
Leaders should be alert for the following factors which can lead to the group separating:
- The group is too spread out for the terrain, weather and conditions
- Indistinct tracks, e.g.:
- track enters an overgrown section
- track becomes ill defined
- track is intersected by animal pads (feral animals such as horses and goats create pads that look exactly like walking tracks)
- Fog or rain
- Someone takes a wrong turn at a track junction or change of direction
- Overconfidence in individual group members’ awareness of the terrain and ability to navigate independently
- Member leaving the track for a “side trip” for a view, photo or toilet break.
- Missing member may not be noticed until the next rest spot.
Lost from camp
While on the move, a well-led group will have the routines that ensure the group keeps together.
However, when in camp individuals or tent/food groups commonly “do their own thing” including collecting water or firewood, going for a stroll to nearby viewpoints; photographing landscapes, wildflowers and the sunset, or taking a call of nature.
Any of these activities can result in a person getting lost.
People who leave the campsite on a short task or side trip won’t have their pack and may not have a map, compass, communication device, torch, warm clothes, shelter, matches, whistle or water.
Some people may not be familiar with the area and terrain and may have not paid much attention to the surroundings when coming to the camp.
Some campsites may have a “catching feature” such as a coastline, river track or ridge that makes it easy to find for those that wander off.
However, other campsites may not be so easy to find again.
Examples of how people can get disoriented around campsites are:
- Water may be further down the gully than expected or in a different gully
- Firewood may be distant
- Scrub might be thick
- The summit may be further than it looked, or a wildflower elusive
- Fog might roll in.
An absence might not be noticed for a while. And soon it will be dark …
Once noticed, does anyone know where the person went?
“Let someone know before you go” can be overlooked when at camp.
This can also happen to a solo walker leaving a campsite or their pack. There is no-one to look for them or to raise the alarm and they will be without some or all of their gear.
Avoid losing a group member when in camp
Actions that can be taken in camp to reduce the chance of someone wandering off and getting lost include (especially for less experienced members):
- Brief the group on the surrounding terrain (features, tracks, hazards, etc.)
- Inform the group where water is available
For excursions from camp group members should:
- Advise others before leaving the camp area
- Consider going in a pairs
- Carry basic equipment, e.g. mobile phone, map and compass, whistle, matches, torch, water, jacket.
Avoid losing a group member while walking
A well-led bushwalking group can minimise the likelihood of members separating from the group during the day’s walking by considering:
- Appropriate group size for the trip (planning)
- Briefing the group on the day’s route and routines such as frequency of rest stops
- Setting off together and stopping to regroup at all track junctions, significant changes of direction, etc.
- Accepting and being familiar with the pace of the group (determined by the slowest member). No racehorses.
- Staying reasonably together in keeping with terrain and conditions, monitoring behind as well as in front
- Responding to changing conditions, e.g. bunch up in fog, scrub, off-track
- Knowing who is at the front and navigating, and who is the whip bringing up the rear (for larger groups), at each stage.
When a group is uncertain of its position
Avoid this situation by monitoring progress along the planned route, against time, map, track notes and GPS.
Circumstances such as a flat battery, fog, out-of-date map, overgrown track, a missing sign or just a lack of concentration can bring on a creeping or even a sudden doubt. If that occurs:
Stop. Bring the group together. Consult other navigators in the group, and follow the steps here: Lost?
When someone gets lost
On many occasions the person thought to be missing may return without assistance after resolving the situation themselves.
However, a missing person may have had an accident, medical episode or other problem that prevents their return. See: Group member lost.
An emergency call should be made when it is apparent that a missing person is lost.