Another common error traps careless hikers who decide to drop their packs and dash up to some scenic overlook, then forget precisely where they left their gear. On a trip many years ago into Utah's Maze, I encountered a pair of hikers who'd dropped their packs to go in search of some petroglyphs. They'd set their packs right on the trail and continued up a narrow canyon, undoubtedly assuming that there was no possible way they could miss their packs upon their return. During their descent, however, they'd followed the dry river bottom rather than taking the parallel trail up on the stream bank that they'd followed on the way up. By the time I encountered them, they'd already walked a good half mile beyond their packs. Fortunately, I had noted their packs and was able to tell them where they were. If you do choose to leave your pack (or camp) for a short jaunt, make sure you note the landmarks nearby very carefully. {Put sidebar on keeping track of your position in a desert canyon here}

While it’s important to keep track of your gear, it’s even more important to keep track of your companions. Staying together prevents a lot of unnecessary confusion. Early in my climbing career, I set off to climb a peak in the Sierras with a much older and wiser companion. He stopped to adjust clothing, but I continued on and turned up the wrong gully. He continued on to the right gully and spent the rest of the day wondering what had happened to me. I finally stopped and waited for him. Eventually I descended to our camp and spent the rest of the day waiting for him to return, which he did in late afternoon. My impatience had cost me the summit. If your companions are behind you and out of sight when you reach a trail junction or other fork in the route, be sure to wait so they know which way you went. If you must separate, be sure to agree very clearly on when and where you will meet up again.

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