Stranded by sunset
When day hiking, there have been three times when getting disoriented just before sunset nearly-condemned me to spend the night unprotected outside.

First time was getting turned around in a part of the Grand Canyon called Surprise Valley. Every boulder and tree looked alike there and the camp was invisible in the monotony. Much shouting was required to establish contact.

Second time was missing a trail branch just north of the Mexican border where groups of highly-intelligent Coatimundi were running around. I thought those animals lived in Central America, and they unnerved me. Would they eat my face off?

Third time was in Carnarvon Gorge, Queensland, where I got confused in a campground by that weird Antipodean sun placement and monotonous eucalyptus woods.

Each time, though, I got it together before nightfall. Fourth time, though, sunset actually caught me as I was making slow progress through a wilderness full of boulders, cacti, and agaves. But that was a moment of grace. A full moon rose and saved the night.
(Perv With A Dog had his eyes pecked out by scrub jays on, Mon 5 Aug 2013, 8:38, Reply)