When you go for a walk in a forest you don’t know very well, it’s good to know a few tricks, as well as apps that can help you find your way back. How do you avoid getting lost in the forest? And what if you get lost abroad? Find out how to relax safely.
What can you do to avoid getting lost in the forest?
Back in the days before phones, people observed their surroundings, which told them which way to go.
Moss
Moss usually grows on the northern side of trees, where there is the least light.
Trees
Trees growing on their own are usually fuller (with more branches) on the southern side. You can also work out the direction by looking at the stumps of felled trees – the rings on the trunk are closer together on the northern side.
Forest signposts
Forests are divided into sectors, each with its own number. You’ll find these numbers on low concrete posts placed along forest roads. Such a number is easy to find on a forest map on your phone.
The way back to the car
None of this knowledge will help, though, if we haven’t remembered where we left the car. Take a careful look at your surroundings before you give yourself over to the pleasure of wandering among the rustling trees or picking mushrooms. And if, unfortunately, you can’t remember where you left the car, use notiOne.
A small tracker hidden in your car will show you where the car is or where it was last seen. In the free app, you can check on the map where you parked your vehicle and which way to go.
You can also attach it to your keys. Even if you have them with you – all is not lost! Simply open the location history and check where the device’s signal was last picked up. That way you’ll know which way to head to get back to your vehicle.
Natalia found out for herself that it helps!
I got lost abroad
In times when everyone has a phone to hand, this seems like a minor problem. Indeed, with dictionaries, guidebooks and transport options on our phones, we don’t stop to think that we might get lost.
Before travelling to another country, though, it’s worth learning at least a few basic words that could help if your phone runs out of battery. Sorry, please, thank you, where is – these are the essentials. Add to that the words for bus, train, tram, taxi and hotel, and you’ll manage to get by somehow.
It’s worth asking the locals
Most of them will be happy to point you to the best restaurants, the cheapest shops or beautiful spots unknown to the “average” tourist.
For safety’s sake, it’s a good idea to share your location with someone close to you who isn’t travelling with you. This is possible thanks to the free notiOne app. Ask someone you trust to download the app and then add “Phone with notiOne” to their list. Then send them the code generated in your own notiOne app and entrust them with your location. Remember that you can stop sharing your location at any time, for example once you’re safely back home.
