Lost in the Fog? Here’s the Easiest Way to Stay Safe

Ever been so sure you knew exactly where you were… until suddenly, you didn’t?

That’s what happened to us on the Ben Lomond plateau. One minute, we were confidently navigating familiar ground. The next, a thick fog rolled in and erased every landmark we thought we knew.

Here’s why even familiar terrain can turn dangerous in seconds:

The Gut-Check Moment

We’d spent heaps of time in this area. But as the fog cleared just enough to reveal a peak, we realised something chilling: we couldn’t recognise it at all. Our brains just couldn’t make it fit.

And when we finally spotted the ski lifts, kilometres away, we realised we’d been facing the wrong direction entirely. If the fog hadn’t lifted, every move we made would have taken us further from safety.

The Rule That Matters Most

Navigation skills aren’t just for blue-sky days. They’re for when everything you rely on disappears.

Here’s the rule:
If you can’t confirm your position, stop moving.
Get your map out.
Work the problem from where you are, not where you think you are.

Every confident step in the wrong direction is a step further from safety.

Want to know where your own preparation gaps are?

Take my free Multi-Day Readiness Quiz. It only takes two minutes and gives you an honest snapshot of where you stand.

THAT’S ALL FOR THIS WEEK

Thanks for reading Mowser’s Musings. I hope this helps you hike further and happier.

Until next week, keep exploring.

Mowser

Discover more. Hike further.

P.S. I’m building something for hikers like us. It’s called Peakbound. An app designed to simplify multi-day trip planning. Route, gear, meals, logistics… All in one place, built on the methodology I’ve refined over 34 years.

We’re launching soon, and I’d love you to be part of it.