It all began simply. A hiking trip in Colorado with just the basics. Trail Mix. Water. Backpack. Matches. I had decided to wander off the path earlier because I had hiked here so many times before. I thought I knew the area well enough. The sun was beginning to sink below the horizon and the temperature was dropping. I had always enjoyed hiking in the late fall. The daytime temperatures were perfect for hiking.
I continued walking through the forest. The trees in front of me looked just like the trees behind me. I had no indication of where to go or what to do. Since I hike here all the time I figured hiking without a compass would be fine. I decided to continue walking in a straight line. A tree would stop my progress every now and then but I did my best to continue straight. I quickly became thirsty and hungry. I had finished my trail mix around 3 pm. My water was low so I used it sparingly.
I walked through the trees and could make out the night sky through the trees. The forest yielded itself to a river which I came to. I had to make a decision. The temperature had dropped to around 35 degrees Fahrenheit and I was growing cold. I hadn’t dressed for this weather. I could either build a fire and boil some water or follow the river north. South would only lead me deeper into the wilderness.