Went with a buddy to visit another friend in Arizona many years ago, when I was young and dumb as the saying goes. Our Arizonan friend took us out into the desert to do some shooting. At some point he decided to walk over one of the many hills to "do his duty". Not to insult the man, but he was a bit absent minded, and instead of returning immediately he was mediating on the sights.
We waited a bit, and decided to head back to the truck. Yeah, right, all that sand and scrub looked pretty much identical. After about ten minutes of walking, our friend popped up over a hill, shouting for us. He had started looking for us, which was a darn good thing as we were heading, you guessed it, in the wrong direction. Hadn't a clue either.
Since then I've become a member of the local county sheriff's SAR (search and rescue) team. Our training with compass and GPS has been extensive, as has skill sets in tracking, fire-making, radio comm, impromptu bush camps, and other survival methods.
Unfortunately, all too often, Search and Rescue is actually Search and Recovery. I can only try to impress folks on the importance of taking appropriate gear, and even more valuable, letting people know where you are going. It is amazing how many hikers, hunters, and fishermen strike out into the wild without advising anyone of their plans. Even more mystifying are the number of people who head out woefully unprepared, improper clothing, no water, no food, no compass, etc.
I guess having had a taste, even if only momentarily, brought out my inner sissy, because I prepare ahead EVERY TIME nowadays. Having seen the dread results inflicted on others, it has only reinforced my determination to make it home.