Problems or complications usually arise with navigation when trail conditions change or become obscure slide over trail. Often hiking parties are mismatched in abilities and one person falls behind, becomes disoriented and ultimately lost. Become lost after taking a shortcut. Cutting switchbacks will many times lead to disorientation or going down the wrong hill or drainage. They are very dependent on travel aids and trails for navigation.
Drainages are an often-used path of travel.
Significant numbers of persons wander about and go cross-country. Those who traveled the greatest distance from the PLS also descended by roughly proportional amounts. The subjects were usually responsive to searchers. The subjects were usually young and in good physical condition but not prepared. Skiers Most are young, generally under 35.