Sunset showed me the right path when markers failed

I was hiking the Pine Ridge loop and all the trail blazes were faded from rain. I got turned around three times near the same rocky outcrop. Then I saw the sun setting right behind a distinct tree shape on the ridge. I used that tree as a guide and bushwhacked toward it. This led me to a clear game trail that connected back to the main path. Now I pick a natural marker like a weird tree or big rock when trails get sketchy. Feels great to solve a puzzle the woods threw at me.

5 comments

5 Comments

stella_black331mo ago

Nice! I always watch the shadows for direction too.

abbyharris1mo ago

Unless they're lying...

the_david1mo ago

My buddy Nate had a coworker who kept calling off sick last summer. He said it was migraines but his Instagram was full of beach day posts. The real kicker was a Tuesday he called out, then posted a lunch pic with a time-stamped receipt from a restaurant two hours away. People think they're being slick but the truth always comes out in some small, stupid detail. Nate said it's like watching a bad magic trick where you can see the strings.

jordan_henderson1323d ago

Shadows are great for finding north, but they shift through the day so you need the time. AbbyHarris has a point about the lying thing too, because some people just fake the whole story. It's wild what details people miss when they're trying to cover their tracks.

lewis.gray23d ago

What's the dumbest detail you've ever seen someone slip up on?