I grew up in the North County and frequently explored the woods on regular occasions, Boy Scouts, hunting, canoeing, and working, surveying and exploration.  I can recall times bushwacking on a cloudy day where you may get turned around right angles to the direction you were heading.  This can be avoided paying attention to a map and compass. Both parties in the book made significant errors.  I understand the Boy scout because he was disoriented after being unconscious, but he should have stayed put and his party should never have left him.  Rasmusson was inexperienced and wasn't paying attention to maps, compass direction or details.  But normally with common sense, friends, a map, a compass and a plan there should be no significant concern about getting lost.