There's nothing better than
being in the mountains.
The air is fresh and cool.
The scenery is like
the Lord of the Rings movies.
What could be better?
Suddenly, the weather is changing.
Fog hides everything.
In minutes, your hiking adventure
has gone from delightful to dreadful.
What could you do?
Your lifelong dream of hiking in
the Andes Mountains has come true.
You planned it for months,
and you've got your hiking gear.
The Andes Mountain range spans
7,200 km (4,474 mi),
along seven countries.
Only the Himalayas are higher.
And it's home to 99% of
the tropical glaciers in the world.
You've planned to enjoy
two days of scenic hiking,
and have about three days of supplies
for your adventure.
Suddenly, the weather changes.
You lose your bearings,
and your hopes of a dream
adventure disappear.
Preparing for this trip is vital.
Bring all the supplies you may need,
including water and food.
Bring the correct clothing and gear,
and don't forget your first aid kit.
And if possible, bring a GPS device,
it could come in useful later.
Also, plan your route in detail,
and let someone know where you'll be,
and when you should return.
This can make it easier if
a rescue team needs to find you.
Having good knowledge of the area
you are in is a must.
And once you're there, note landmarks
or geographical features
that could help you later.
Likewise, keep checking behind you,
to make sure the route
you took is still accessible.
And if you think you could get lost,
use anything around you
to mark that you were there.
If you do get lost,
the first thing to do is get your bearings.
Take your time,
and think things through carefully.
Remember your priorities.
If the light is fading,
and night is approaching, find shelter.
You do not want to be
navigating around in the dark.
If you have brought a tent or a tarp,
use it to build your shelter for the night.
If you don't have anything,
start collecting branches and wood
to make a shelter.
Find somewhere that's not
deep in a valley.
And hopefully, you'll have the protection
of a boulder in case of avalanches.
Making sure you rest is crucial
to having enough energy the next day.
One of the biggest dangers you'll face
is getting wet.
Try to keep as dry as possible.
Wearing wet clothes in cold weather
can easily lead to hypothermia.
If you do get wet,
change out of the wet clothes.
Avoid rivers and waterways if possible,
and if you need to cross them,
keep your spare clothes dry
so you can change into them
after crossing the water.
If you've watched any of our
How to Survive episodes,
you're probably thinking that this step
should be pretty high on the list.
And you're right.
In the Andes Mountains,
most places should provide
drinkable water.
Your best option is fresh spring water
if you stumble upon it.
But river water will suffice
if there is nothing else.
Be warned, though.
River water could still be contaminated.
So if you can, boil the water first.
Remember that I suggested
packing a GPS device?
Well, that could be your lifeline
if rescuers need to search for you.
Make sure not to move
too far from your location.
Build a shelter, and start looking
for extra water and food if you can.
Even though your friend and family
has alerted the rescuers to find you,
it could take them hours,
or even days, to find you.
Use this final step if you don't
have a way to communicate,
and haven't notified anyone
before your trip.
Surviving pretty much relies on
your abilities now.
Hike and move about during the day,
and rest as best you can during the night.
Wear brightly colored clothes
that help attract attention.
Finally, your best chance of escaping
is to follow streams and rivers
flowing downward.
This should eventually lead you to
lower ground safely,
and hopefully a settlement.
Being in the great outdoors
is exhilarating and exciting,
but don't let that give you
a false sense of security.
According to research,
in Yosemite National Park,
13 people get lost every day.
We know that's not the same
as surviving in the Andes Mountains,
but it's a good lesson to learn.
Remember 58-year-old
Raul Fernando Gomez Circunegui,
who got lost in the Andes in 2013.
He survived for four months
by finding a hut to use for shelter.
So remember, hiking in big mountains
is never a walk in the park.
Follow these steps to stay safe
on your next hiking trip.
You know what else
isn't a walk in the park?
Climbing Mount Everest.
Check out our episode on
How to Survive Mount Everest,
or any other episode of How to Survive.