Tips to avoid getting lost — and what to do when you are

Each year, dozens of people get lost in the White Mountains and become the subjects of search-and-rescue missions. In most cases, people simply wandered off of marked trails and lost their bearings. Losing one's way in the woods can be an unsettling, frightful experience. If you follow the blazes or cairns, you should have no trouble. But, if you should find you've wandered off the path, stop immediately.

In many cases, you will find that retracing your footsteps will bring you back to the trail. If not, follow these steps:

• Stop and assess the situation.
• Stay calm. This is perhaps the most important thing to remember: If you don't stay calm, you can't think straight. If you can't think straight, you won't be able to help yourself.
• Orient yourself. If you have no map or compass, you can still get a general idea of your location. Remember: the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
• If you still can't find the trail, follow a river or stream downstream. You will eventually come to civilization.
• If you're lost above treeline, try to follow cairns and blazes. Familiarize yourself with major landmarks in the region, before you set out. For instance, on Mount Washington, if you lose visibility on the summit, traversing the mountain will eventually bring you to the Cog Railway tracks or the auto road, which you can then follow down. Beware of drop-offs.
• If nightfall approaches and you don't know where you are, it is usually wiser to stay put and try to find your way out in the daylight.
• If you have a whistle, blow it. The sound may attract help. (The sound from a whistle travels farther and is more easily located than the sound of a shout.)

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