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I know to put the torches on only one side and I tried using signs but I still seem to be getting lost. Any tips? Is there anyway I could use the map to help me and what directions does x, y, and z stand for on the map?

Redstone dust?

Sand pillars on the pathway with one side of it having one torch and the other having two (one means going deeper, two means going out)?

I will use signs with arrows and specific directions if I'm caving in a system that keeps getting me lost. It's a high initial investment but works out well in the long run. (At least for me.)

The single easiest way it to use torches. Two birds, one stone. While exploring a cave, place torches either only on the left wall, or the right wall. that way, if you put them on the left while going into a cave, you just need to make sure the torches are on the right wall to get out.

For me the easiest way not to get lost is by placing torches on the left going in, so to find my way back out the torches will be on your right.

Quote from Losttiger89

For me the easiest way not to get lost is by placing torches on the left going in, so to find my way back out the torches will be on your right.

Quote from Mustache_Guy

The single easiest way it to use torches. Two birds, one stone. While exploring a cave, place torches either only on the left wall, or the right wall. that way, if you put them on the left while going into a cave, you just need to make sure the torches are on the right wall to get out.

This. I always noticed that I would put torches on my left side when exploring, so I decided to make a conscious decision to make sure any branch I made in a cave I would put the torch on the left side going in, and make sure that I could try to make it noticeable to get back. Unless you get a really huge system that constantly branches, 9/10 you'll be able to get back out of a cave system if you do the left going in, right going out method.

I too use the left side wall as an initial guide, but when getting into complicated areas it does seem to help to pick a single path, usually the most direct, and place redstone torches every once in awhile just far enough so you can see the next one from the one your at. Then you can branch off of your main "red Line" and as long as you can get back to a redstone torch you'll always be able to find your way back, and not just a random way back but the exact same one you used to get into the most complicated of tunnels.

I must have magnificent navigational skills, I don't need any of these tricks.

Had a huge problem with this haha! If I couldn't find my way out I often found myself just digging my way out.

Thanks for all of the tips guys! I'll maybe try using redstone torches for the more complicated paths.

Well to get through caves and not get lost I suggest using glowstone,redstone torches, or some block not found in caves(bricks, wood, wool, etc) If none of these work then try mining your way out if you get lost. Or have a friend with you so he can help. I hope this helped, and have fun exploring!

I tend to use the items I have with me, which is mainly cobblestone and torches. For example, if I find a cave and want to explorer it, I would start putting lights down. If at any point it seems like I could get lost, I start putting torches on the walls. I have my little system that helps me find my way out. Lets say I jumped down from a ledge that is barely visible or it might seem like I could just walk right past it. I would put one torch and then another right above it, meaning that I have to go up. if I see a fork in the cave, I mark the the area where I first came through with 2 torches on both sides of the cave.

If at anytime I want to save my supplies, I break down a piece of the wall and make it into an arrow showing my way out and then fill it in again because you'll never see a world generated arrow made of cobblestone where Stone should be.

Dig up.

I too use the "torch trick".
However, if you're still getting lost you're not using enough torches. I also use double torches to mean "climb up here".

It highly depends. How complicated, and how big is the cave? For me it seems to take a good memory to get out of a cave. Once i dug my way up, ended up close to one of my houses. Whats your gamertag? Mine is Starry NIghtt (my sister chose it)

I'm working an insanely large cave system. To navigate I used to use torches, but found I couldn't light the cave enough if all my torches were dedicated to directions. So I now use different torches, Lighting torches, and direction torches. Here's how it works.

Direction torches could be redstone torches, If you need to differentiate. Also, I usually put a redstone star on on ground near a direction torch since the splash of red stands out in the cave-scape.

I also don't use the left right rule. My direction torches "point" to the way out. If you place a torch on a "north" wall the tip of the torch (since it's tilted \| ) points south. This would be a "go south" marker. If it's on the floor near a ladder or stare up, it points up, if it's on the floor near a ladder or stair down, it points down.