Survival Navigation Skills! Is this Frontier Marking Method Obsolete? Blazing the New Way.

[@HuntCreekBushcraft]

Great advice here. Seems so simple that we tend to not practice blazing when roaming about areas that we feel we’re adequately familiar with. Then you get so busy following deer signs or looking for paw paws that you completely lose your bearings. And all at once the terrain looking backward (or campward or trailward) is unrecognizable. True story: just last month (with permission) I crossed over the property line in our woods into our neighbor’s woodland to check a paw paw grove 100 yards off our trail system. I know that grove and portion of woods and have been there tens of dozens of times. But it’s become overgrown now and the old trails are indistinguishable and blocked by downed ash trees. Well , I found the paw paw grove, but never thought to take a knife or bandanna or compass or gloves or water or anything with me. (Because “I didn’t need it”) and spent the next 45 minutes walking is circles through the multiflora rose, sweating, cussing and pitted out because I’d lost my way in an overgrown summer woods 1/2 mile from home. Am I an idiot? Yes. Did I learn my lesson? Yes. Is this a valuable video reminder? Absolutely!

[@golem2866]

I’m very familiar with blazes and ribbons on trails for years but some reason using the knot as a directional orientation just gave me the “no sh!t…” surprised look. I appreciate your common sense approach to things.

[@northwind7409]

Just as you suggest turning the tape knot toward the 'outgoing' side of the tree, I prefer, in the case of cutting a blaze on a tree, to make the outgoing mark a bit lower than the incoming mark on the trunk. This way, if I get turned around, I know which way I had been going (right or wrong).

[@ramblynrocketeer]

Simple technique yet extremely important! Liked how tying off shows direction 🧭 stay safe & Keep blazing new trails 🌲🌿🌳

[@QuesttogetontheAloneShow-qq3cz]

Great tip on the knot, Thanks for sharing Dan. Awesome video.

[@karenbruster1693]

Nice hint about the knot

[@myronhudson1067]

Awesome! I've been using ribbon for years, whenever I bushwhack. It never occurred to me to use the knot to indicate direction of travel. Huh? That alone is worth the price of admission here. I'll add that whenever traveling on or off trail, it is best practice to always study your back trail as you go. That once saved my ass before I started using ribbon.

[@fredflintstone6163]

Been meandering and wandering in the woods off trail slmost 70 years i often use landscape features for knowing ehere i am i rarely take compass or water always snack on wild foods snd drink from spring seeps or streams exploring for resources intimacy with the land been lost several times just camped out snd wandered more the next Day always found something that i used to get back thank s

[@sinisterthoughts2896]

I worked out the knot for a bearing concept a few years ago, having a trail is important, but having a bearing as well is invaluable.

[@offthearrowshelf]

We use something similar when setting our archery courses and routes. We use red and white hazard tape on the trees to mark the route but we try to ensure you can see 3 marked trees so you have a clear route. We found put the tape on the trunk is better than branches as branches can break and then tapes on the ground. Thanks for sharing

[@andydaniels3029]

Huh…I never knew “blazing a trail” spoke to an actual physical act in the pathfinding process til this video. Thanks for the info! Side note: had to add my own movie quote here; “Haven’t you ever been lost? Hmmm... been fearsome confused for a month or two, but I ain't never been lost!” Nathan Wyeth and Henry Frapp, The Mountain Men…decent movie.

[@EricEsquivel_Brazil]

Thank you for sharing this tips!! Excellent content, from a Brazilian follower.

[@johnbland1422]

A roll of blaze orange plastic ribbon is always in my pack. I can always get back to my starting point. A hunter taught me this, 40 years ago. Always go back and retrieve your ribbon, the forest service also will mark trees with ribbon. I leave about a 6" tail the direction I'm traveling. S bit easier to see.

[@shadowstalker130666]

Great video! I carry that neon pink tape myself, because there's nothing even close to that color in nature, so it's instantly eye catching. I do leave long tails to flap as well, but I reuse tapes all the time and carry precut 2ft lengths.

[@BrosephRussell]

Awesomeness 👌 great for showing us

[@freddyoutdoors]

Good idea if you have trouble finding your way back to camp

[@randymacsgarage]

worked as a surveyor for awhile in the 70 s there is one more blaze indicating a turn. also similar to the flagging knot you would hack a side to the tree so there would be three marks always keep to left or right your preference kool beans

[@shanehanson1268]

Great video as usual Dan keep it up 🤘

[@gud2go50]

Great to know! Thanks.😊

[@Musicandcoffee247]

Excellent points here.

[@greyscout01]

It's the simple things... like using the ribbon knot to orient direction. Thanks

[@i.m.askance7996]

When exploring new areas for picking mushrooms I always take along a gallon Hefty bag full of precut ribbons. I wrap them on branches on the way in, and pull them down on the way out.

[@JohnTBlock]

"Ah ain't NEVER been lost, but I was a might CONFUSED there, for a couple of days!" Daniel Boone

[@TerryCam]

Nice job!

[@akbychoice]

I’m not relying on electronics in the woods, batteries die, electronics can fail, signals can be non-existent. Rock cairns can be good for trail markings.

[@pawpawthebeagle9442]

Agreed. Just throwing it out there that if you have an electronic light source, preferably with a focused beam of light, at night an alternative can be double-sided, tacks that you stick into trees during the day time (or night) to mark your trail. If you have a way of interpreting your tacks that you remember, and is uniquely your information only, and is for not being tracked by others purposes, you can strategically place them so only you know how to interpret them. All examples and things said, better not have a Walking Dead, Daryl Dixon type tracker looking for ya lol 😉

[@carlplath1]

I did that with the Boy Scouts I worked with. Fluorescent colors were important on night hikes.

[@johnbohlsr9721]

I use the ribbon to mark the path to my hunting spot. If I don't come back to the cabin when I said I would, others have a way to get to where I said I'd be.

[@StevenSkidmore-hw8dg]

Very good video Dan man , I'll bet you never get Lost , thinks for this video .

[@R.C.1161]

If your tape seems to go missing. Yea. I have it :) Dead reckoning and a compass is the only way to go.

[@nathanwhite5602]

Good job on the video

[@johnnyrebel5458]

The only thing I would add to that is when taking turns/corners double tape it. I also utilize reflective pins for around camp or long hiking trips.

[@surjitpuri4839]

In mountaineering,we make cairn with stones

[@benw5691]

Great video.

[@AliveDeejay]

I came up with an idea back when minecraft was new and i was playing. When i went into caves and/or started digging in random directions, i always put the torches on the walls not just for light, but also in a way so they would point to the exit no matter where i am. That way i had light, knew where i had to go and also knew where i didn't explore yet. With the tape i would move the knot to the side where i came from (e.g. camp). It would be counter intuitive for me if the knot points away from camp, i might get confused and wouldn't know if it's fork of my marked trail when going back. Getting back to camp would be my priority = the direction the knot is pointing towards. Either way, great tips! I bet there are even more genius ways to mark a trail that would work also at night or in bad weather (e.g. snowy winter, when stuff gets covered).

[@randywarnock2937]

I have been backpacking for since man first walked on the moon. I used to see large blazes on huge old growth trees leading to fire lookout sites in the PNW.

[@BuckMckawtheotherone]

Yes, saving the environment, or saving a life (yours or someone else's). Truly, in that situation, is is best to be judged by twelve than to be carried out by six.

[@jonfisher9214]

If you don't want to cut a blaze and have nothing to tie around the tree you can use a withy or a pine tree root. It might be a bit harder to spot but it's very unnatural looking. I've used them to mark good fishing spots on a very samey looking and long stream in the past.

[@mistysmeanderings6428]

I use that exact same color tape to mark when I leave camp to go to the restroom at night. You can easily spot it with a headlamp in the dark.

[@adrockey]

Great video

[@bravotwozero535]

I recently took a shortcut off a main trail and the track just disappeared. Fortunately there were blazes in the direction I was travelling so I didn’t have to bushwhack my way through. It also kept my girlfriend calm as she insisted we were lost.

[@benterwellen]

Good info, ty

[@MrSjGibbs]

Crape paper rolls work too, and they will quickly disintegrate.

[@jasongarling20]

I was going to stay in the woods until your next video... but I don't have a Jackery or Bluetti nor solar panels to charge them! So if you are going through your warehouse and find some you aren't using or don't need because you have upraded.. I would definitely be interested! Or an amazing GAW!? Or if your heart is just moved to help out a brother in need... I'm here for you my guy!

[@user-yu1zp2vu9x]

Thanks for sharing

[@randywarnock2937]

I worked on wildfires for over 30 years and we always used flagging for many reasons. I used candy stripe ribbon to mark hot spots.

[@apar1560]

👍👍👍 awesome

[@jbashore3468]

When are you getting T6Zero tarps back in stock?

[@devinking8051]

I found when flagging a line in Search and Rescue, to tie flagging tape before you do get too far from the last one. Also not sure if you have the option, but here in Canada I can get biodegradable colored flagging tape(will take a year or so to disappear). I like to use it as a way to ‘leave no trace’.

[@308dad8]

Blazing is always cutting bark off. But flagging tape is cheap and can be had virtually everywhere, Walmart and tractor supply sell it too and all sporting goods store or sections in department stores sell it.

[@MBraun-gr8ye]

I would recommend. If you're lost and want to be found. Bring a sharpie with you. Mark the first blaze ribbon of any info for someone trying to find you.

[@petridish3045]

"I’m lost" join the club brother.

[@joeyhardin1288]

As Tom Massie, "Buzzard's" son would say, "You ain't lost if you don't care where you are!"

[@StrategicSelfRelianceDefense]

Not getting “lost” in Pennsylvania when the most remote point in the state is only 2.7 miles from a road…lol. Great video sir.

[@shakescan]

Helps me, I'm in Maine. Lived years in Colorado Rockies. Jackson Hole Wyoming. Alaska. There's places I've been and different places these survival instructors have been you do not want to get lost, it is very easy to do, and at some point if you are need to make a decision. Sure it's 2 miles to the nearest road. Don't fall down a mineshaft or off a cliff. I don't know how it is in Pennsylvania but Alaska, watch out for that moose. Thorny patch. Sheets of ice. A lot of times if these situations do come around it's because of some event. Weather has thrown me off a couple times. Closest encounter I ever had with a bear was after extremely heavy wind, then hail, then sunset. Then along comes a bear. That's what happens. Going down a river and capsize. Hypothermia from the getgo. That's how it starts. Turn around and nothing looks the same. At all.

[@shakescan]

I could walk in a wrong direction and go 100 miles. And depending on the weather cross a trail and not know it. Seen entire forests explode in ice and everything fall down.

[@StrategicSelfRelianceDefense]

@@shakescan Colorado 8 miles. Wyoming 21.7 in Yellowstone. That’s as remote as it gets. You can die on one acre but that’s as remote as it gets.

[@StrategicSelfRelianceDefense]

@@shakescan not in the lower 48. There is no point that remote.

[@TheBanjo53]

Lol I remember a line from a movie, " I have never been lost, but a powerful confused once".

[@mymorphcaptain4477]

I use bread crumbs.

[@GmaCynD]

Lol

[@jonfisher9214]

That's how you end up getting eaten by a witch. I wouldn't recommend it.

[@mymorphcaptain4477]

@@jonfisher9214 they prefer me to eat them.

[@bkay1067]

Also write a note on the first flagging ribbon , so other people looking for you, will have a better clue , where and how to find you , , , on a small piece of thick cardboard place 9 reflective head tacks in a tight square on each side , then wrap with ribbon , add a second color ribbon to write on 😊

[@Flashahol]

My cousin bought me a pack of "Blazing Tape" and I always thought they just couldn't call it Fuc**** tape. Now I know better...

[@williamobraidislee3433]

Reminder: night nav sux!

[@leemckinney6471]

Didn’t know this was a real thing I do this so I don’t get lost but I keep a sharpie and mark my own symbols on the tape

[@trixiesamson7589]

If i ever get lost deep in the woods! I would start a wildfire! Lmao

[@andredejonge5255]

Last summer we had no pink ribbon ( but my girlfriend had a pink bikini 😉😁) Thanks for the vid. & greetings from 🇳🇱 Amsterdam

[@worm_vaquero]

Cap, Europeans don't wear bikinis.

[@i.m.askance7996]

Did you hang the bikini on trees?!?

[@asmith7876]

Got a roll of orange tape in my pack as we speak. Handy if you're in a new area bushwhacking.

[@FATTONYKAUAI]

We still use this in Hawaii. Ever take the dr. Pepper can trail🔥🚬🔥🔥🚬😂

[@wesvan6]

You can also drag your feet in the dirt.

[@308dad8]

Why can’t I see the whole title of these videos?

[@worm_vaquero]

Click on the video description

[@Zeppathy]

It's basically the same idea as leaving torches that point twards the exit in mincraft tunnels.

[@ThomasRandall-hb7ko]

How can you be lost when you are right where you are

[@B4Zathras2257]

What would be informative about the treetops?

[@YCIGAFSN]

I'm lost I've gone to look for myself. If I should return before I get back, please ask me to wait.

[@drlangattx3dotnet]

It is wrong to be cutting blazes up when you are lost. The woods will just end up having blazes all over the place. Blazes are for trails, not for wandering around. If you are lost, then you should first return to the last point where you knew where you were.

[@jeremymoses7401]

..... how do you propose you return to the last point you knew where you were? Seems to me that if you knew the location of the last point of where you were, then by definition, you are not lost. Some people have a natural inclination for direction and dont get lost or at minimum, lost easily. Thusly, its easy to forget that disoriention plays a large role in getting lost..... one might ask: are you even sure you knew where you were when you thought you knew?

[@drlangattx3dotnet]

@@jeremymoses7401 You have somewhat of a point but one should not be lax enough in navigating that you continue so long, oblivious, that you are, indeed unable to return to a point where last you were sure of your location. That is what you are doing when you are navigating. I have been navigating for 60 years, in the woods, on mountains, on the ocean, the coast. Alaska, Canada, Arctic, desert. Wilderness guide, professional mariner, ships, tugboats, sailboats, navigation instructor. I am a professional navigator and you should understand what I am saying and believe it. Here is an example. I was traveling in central Ontario lake country. Probably 100 miles from the nearest road. Traveling by canoe, portaging, paddling, portaging paddling. In this kind of country you monitor your location on the map minute by minute by minute (literally) cause it all looks the same from a canoe. We portaged into a smallish lake and paddled down expecting a portage trail on the left. Saw no trail. Explored a small ravine for a while. Nothing. What to do? We paddled back to the previous portage where we last knew where we were.. Perplexed. What is going on? we said. Finally, my wife said, "Maybe the map is wrong." Bingo! We figured that had to be the answer. Proceeding through the lake that did NOT have the portage, we reached its end and portaged to the next lake where we found the portage we were looking for. There was a lake that existed but was not on the map. We sketched a small correction showing the mystery lake and turned in to the local authorities. If you are wandering around till you cannot return to some last known point...then you are indeed lost. And that is a truly frightening thing. I have been "confused" but never lost. Being confused in worrisome enough. I recommend you not get lost in any real wilderness. Take your navigation seriously and always keep track of where you are.

[@drlangattx3dotnet]

I got long winded there but did not meant to talk down to you. But what I said is all true.

[@jeremymoses7401]

@@drlangattx3dotnet are you referring to your OP, or another comment made in response to mine? If its the primary, i didnt take it that way at all, just oversight. If its the latter and you made a reply, then i have no idea because i cant see where one was posted other than the "long winded" reference.

[@WilliamLocke-yl7on]

*Amazing video, you work for 40yrs to have $1M in your retirement, meanwhile some people are putting just $10K into trading from just few months ago and now they are multimillionaires*

[@Zeppathy]

How can you be lost? Turn on location on your phone. : p

[@ДмитрийБровин-б3к]

Кому-то будет важно и возможно спасет жизнь , но зарубки , хоть и самое простое и надежное могут подставить под штраф , а то и под срок (((( если это будет какая нибудь охраняемая или заповедная территория. Вариант с цветным скотчем , в этом случае, оптимальнее но менее удобен..

[@Anson120]

The Japanese use yarn. I dont wanna get into really where and why they do it. Life is dark. Aokigahara forest! cough.... cough.

[@johnwyman5939]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 🇺🇸🇺🇸🪓🔪👍🏻👍🏻

[@kennethwilson8633]

I wish you would stop showing the first way…have fun stay safe.

[@alanh4753]

Like it Dan. MAGA Pennsylvania! TRUMP 2024!

[@greedygringoprospecting6941]

gps. learn it. extra batteries. good. to go.

[@lens7859]

Ahhh the knots 🪢 who knew , great addition