Retracing your route

Going back the way you came is often the safest choice when weather turns, someone is hurt or you're unsure of the way ahead. You already know the route works, so it removes a lot of guesswork.

Make it easy before you need it

The time to prepare is on the way out.

1. Turn around regularly and look back. Paths look very different in the other direction.
2. Note landmarks at every junction: an odd-shaped tree, a large rock, a stream, a gate.
3. Record your route. The app can record your trail as you walk, and you can drop waypoints at junctions, water and key turns.
4. Note the time at major points, so you know roughly how long the return will take.

Retracing with the app

Use "Back the way I came" to reverse your recorded trail. The compass will point you to each point in turn. Check the fix age and accuracy on screen; an old or inaccurate position can mislead you, especially under trees or in steep valleys.

Retracing without the phone

• Follow your landmarks in reverse order, ticking them off as you pass.
• If you walked on a compass bearing, walk the back bearing: add 180 to your original bearing, or subtract 180 if it was over 180.
• Use your pace count or the time taken to judge when you should reach each point.
• Look for your own signs: footprints in mud or snow, flattened grass, broken twigs.

Marking a route

If you have to leave a path, for example to look for water, mark your way so you can return to it.

• Use small piles of stones, sticks laid in arrows or strips of cloth tied at eye height.
• Make each mark visible from the previous one.
• Remove temporary marks on your way back where you can, so they don't confuse others.

If you lose the trail

1. Stop. Don't keep walking in hope.
2. Go back to the last point you were sure of, if you can find it.
3. If you can't, follow the steps in the guide on what to do if you are lost.

When to turn back

Turning back early is a sign of good judgement, not failure. Consider it when:

• the weather is getting worse
• you're behind your planned time and daylight is fading
• someone in the group is struggling, cold or hurt
• the route ahead looks more dangerous than expected

This article is in the Grid Survivor app, searchable with no signal. Get the app · £4.99