Should I keep walking in the dark if I'm lost or is it safer to stop?

Stop. Darkness in the hills is absolute, and without a functioning torch, navigation becomes dangerous guesswork on steep ground with hidden drops. Staying put is the correct tactical decision, not giving up.

How do I stop losing body heat to the cold ground overnight?

Sit on your rucksack, sleeping mat, rope, spare clothing, or even dry bracken—anything that creates a barrier between you and the ground. You lose heat to cold surfaces faster than most people realize, and insulation from below is just as important as layering on top.

What are the signs that someone with me is getting hypothermic?

Watch for confusion, slurred speech, uncontrolled shivering, and apathy—especially if they insist they're fine while clearly deteriorating. That's a medical emergency requiring immediate action.

If Things Go Wrong

Surviving an Unexpected Night Outdoors

An unexpected night outdoors happens when you're lost, injured, benighted or trapped by weather, and survival means staying dry, maintaining core temperature and making yourself visible—not hiking through darkness or attempting descents you can't see.

9 September 20268 min read