Being well prepared is the best way to prevent getting lost outdoors. 

Know Your Limits

Challenging yourself in the outdoors is great, right up until it isn’t. Fitness, weather, terrain, and experience all influence how hard a track really is.

• Build up difficulty gradually.

• If a route is beyond your navigation or backcountry skills, go with someone more experienced or choose a different track.

• Remember: mental fatigue is as real as physical fatigue when the weather turns or visibility drops.

• Leave your pride behind. Always be willing to turn back, set up camp sooner than expected, or wait out bad weather.

Think Twice About Solo Missions

Solo hiking is magic, but it demands more planning, more gear, and more discipline. If you’re going alone:

• Carry a PLB or satellite communication device (non-negotiable).

• Share your full plan with someone reliable.

• Stick to the trip intentions you’ve logged.

• Be extra realistic about distance and difficulty. There’s no backup if you twist an ankle 10km from the trailhead.

Understand the Weather

Weather in the backcountry is unpredictable. Make sure you know what you’re walking into and be prepared for the weather to change on the way, especially if you’re heading into alpine areas. 

Read more: How to Find and Accurate Weather Forecast for Hiking

Tell Someone Exactly Where You’re Going

Trip intentions save lives. Before you leave, share:

• Your exact route and expected timing

• Start and finish points

• Names and numbers of everyone in your group

• Whether there’s mobile or satellite coverage

• What to do if you’re overdue

• Fill out the DOC intentions book at any huts you pass by or stay at

Carry the Right Gear (and Know How to Use It)

What you pack depends on the location, weather, and length of your trip, but certain items are essential on any hike:

• Navigation (map + compass + offline digital map)

• First aid kit

• Extra food and water (carry more than you think you need)

• Good quality outdoor clothing

• Warm layers and rain protection

• Emergency shelter, bivvy, or survival blanket

• Torch/headlamp with spare batteries

• PLB or inReach device

Gear isn’t useful if it stays in the bottom of your pack untouched. Practice using your navigation tools and safety equipment on easy tracks first.

Food & Water: Carry More Than the Bare Minimum

Food

Pack enough for your planned trip plus extra, especially on longer or remote hikes. It can be as simple as throwing in a couple of extra noodle or pasta packets and a few extra nut bars. Those extra calories could keep you going for another week or more in an emergency situation.

Water

General guidance:

• Under 25°C: ~1 litre per 10 km

• Over 25°C: ~1 litre per hour

If the route has natural water sources, carry a filter straw or tablets.

Read more: How to Filter and Purify Water When Hiking

Safety Apps Worth Having

Download offline maps and emergency tools before you leave reception.

• NZ Topo50 (North and South Island versions available)

• Topo Maps NZ

• iHikeGPS NZ

• PlanMyWalk (More for planning before a hike)

Even experienced hikers take a wrong turn. The moment you suspect something’s off, your best move is to stop, breathe, and think.

1. Stay Calm

Panic leads to poor decisions. Slow your breathing. Sit down. Drink water.

2. Stop Moving

Wandering makes things worse. Stop immediately and stay where you are while you assess.

3. Think Back to Your Last Known Point

Ask yourself:

• Where was the last place I was certain I was on-track?

• Have I passed a junction, stream, marker, or ridge recently?

Check your map, GPS, and surroundings. Sometimes it’s an easy fix.

4. Retrace Your Steps (Carefully)

Walk back a short, safe distance if you believe the track is nearby and the terrain is manageable. If you’re unsure, don’t push further.

5. If You’re Still Lost, Stay Put

This is the hardest step for some hikers, but it’s the one that gets you found fastest.

• Find a sheltered spot out of wind and rain.

• Put on warm layers and conserve heat.

• Avoid burning energy by pacing or exploring.

• Ration food and water.

Searchers work methodically. Staying in one place helps them locate you faster.

6. Make Yourself Easy to Spot

Improve your visibility for ground and air searchers:

• Lay out bright clothing or gear in an open area

• Stamp a large X or arrow in snow, sand, or tussock

• Whistle or call out at intervals

• If safe, light a small fire. Start with dry wood to get a good coal bed and then lay green material or wet branches over the top to create a smoke signal.

Use three signals at a time (whistle blasts, shouts, torch flashes, etc.). It’s recognised internationally as a distress call.

7. Call for Help

If you have coverage or satellite messaging:

• Dial 111 and ask for Police

• Share your location details (GPS coordinates if possible)

• Conserve phone battery by turning it off between check-ins

• If you have a PLB, activate it immediately. Once triggered, stay where you are. Moving makes you harder to find.

8. Stay Together

If you’re in a group, do not split up. Keeping everyone in the same place makes rescue safer and faster.

Shelter, Warmth and Waiting for Rescue

Even if you’ve done everything right, rescue may take time depending on weather, terrain, and distance. Make yourself as safe and comfortable as the conditions allow.

• Stay warm, dry and out of the wind

• Use a bivvy, jacket, or foil blanket to retain heat

• If you have a tent and sleeping bag, set up camp and settle in

• Sip water steadily

• Keep morale up, especially in a group

You’re doing the right thing. Staying put, visible, and warm is your best chance of getting home quickly.

When Things Go Off Track

Getting lost in the backcountry is never ideal, but it doesn’t have to turn into a crisis. Careful planning, solid gear, and a calm, methodical response make all the difference. If you’ve shared your trip intentions, packed essentials, and know how to handle yourself when things go wrong, search teams will find you quickly.

Preparation keeps you safer. Staying put helps you get found. And with the right mindset, you can turn a stressful moment into a manageable one.

Start Here with the Right Gear