Duane
OK Fair...
Start by going to REI.com and watch the compass classes, they are really good.

What I was aluding to was, if you were lost before you found the compass in your pocket, then we assume that you also probably did not have a map, or else you would have had a compass.

I don't want to find your quote, but it was to the effect of "gee I wish I had a compass [and presumeably a map]" , and I was just wondering how the compass that simply materialised would have helped you find a heading to your TH, not that you couldn't cleverly follow it, but frankly those are clever ways, and easier than dragging a long pole. I keep trying to get Bigfoot to leave the pole and club at hi cave but when you camp with a guy who catches and eats raw fish, well, as long as you camp up wind from him its cool and entertaining.
Jim