Got turned around in a whiteout on the Colorado Trail near Twin Lakes, my compass was useless.

3 comments

3 Comments

Yikes, that sounds absolutely terrifying. Getting disoriented like that is a real gut punch, especially somewhere that exposed. Glad you're okay to post about it.

sandragonzalez2mo ago

Totally agree with you @taylor632, that gut punch feeling is the worst. Been there on a ridge trail once. What saved me was forcing myself to STOP moving and sit down for a solid five minutes. You have to let your brain reset before you take another step. Always carry a physical map as a backup, because phones die or lose signal. That moment of panic is real, but having a solid plan helps you push through it.

thea7042mo ago

Oh man, that advice about stopping to sit down is so key. I had a similar moment last fall where the trail just seemed to vanish. That forced pause feels impossible when you're scared, but it really does clear the fog. A paper map is non-negotiable for me now, too. That little bit of prep makes all the difference when things go sideways.