Got stuck on a ridge in the Smokies when my map tore in half

I was hiking the Appalachian Trail near Clingmans Dome last October when a surprise gust ripped my waterproof map right down the center crease. I had no cell service and the fog rolled in so thick I couldn't see 20 feet ahead. I had to backtrack using rocks and tree bark patterns until I found a blue blaze trail to follow down. Anyone else navigated with nothing but instinct when gear failed?

3 comments

3 Comments

wadeg922mo ago

That bark trick is actually solid, most people overlook it.

the_spencer2mo ago

Could you use the north side of tree moss as a backup compass if your actual one broke?

amymason5d ago

That bark pattern trick only works if you know which species you're looking at though. Did you happen to already recognize the local tree bark from previous hikes, or were you just guessing at patterns until something lined up? I'm curious how much prior knowledge actually saved you versus plain luck in that fog.