All through the centuries, Tracking skills didn’t changed at all.
This art, infact kept the same rules and procedures.
Observation is the core of Tracking.
Observation not only allows you to develop a huge awareness of any specific scenario you are in (either urban and outdoors), but it provides all the elements necessary to reconstruct what really happened in a determined time/space frame.
As I often stress out with my students, no matter if you are an experienced backpacker, a truehiker, a long-time Survivalist or a simple oudoor enthusiast: the art of reading tracks can really come in handy, especially when the worst overcomes.
The possibility of being stranded, with no GPS, and no chance to call the Search and Rescue is not so much remote.
If you aren’t too rusty with your Tracking skills, you can be good enough to backtrack yourself by checking the design of the soles of your shoes (Trackers call it “pattern“).
Be extremely precise in doing it, as a miss-interpretation could lead you in following the tracks of those who passed before you.
Even considering a sudden change of the ground, you should be good in detecting your own trackline and reach your starting point.
If stranded, you can actually overcome panic. Infact, if you stay focused and if you keep control of your anguish, then you can consider the features of the specific spot you are.
Any road visible?
Any sound I can easily connect to men-made?
Are there any sign of urbanization on sight?
Any trace, on the ground, of recent passage of people?
If you feel familiar enough in what you see on the ground, you can follow the tracks previously other individuals left, always considering to descend towards the closest road.
If you have no other chaces than spending the night out, you can look for a proper area where to settle your camp.
Apply Observation and Tracking Skills to check a safe place, away from any wasp nests or widow maker.
Stay at proper distance from any animal passage.
Avoid taking advantages of any den, even if it seems old or abandoned.
Then you can come along tracking fresh animal tracks to locate the proximity of wadi to collect water to filter and purify.
Don’t forget to look carefully at the ground in order to chose the proper place/s where to set traps.
About the Author
Article by Kyt Lyn Walken. Official Representative and Instructor for Hull’s Tracking School and Certified Conservation Ranger for the NGO Conservation Rangers Operations Worldwide. Kyt will be in the UK running a workshop 18 – 20 February, 2022 Telford, Shropshire (U.K.) “The Art of Tracking Class” with FERAL YAMYAM BUSHCRAFT School.
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