Years ago I use to hunt big wooded areas and it seemed back then there was always snow (not any more). I always had a compass with me and would take some road bearings before heading in. It became very useful one day when, on top of the snow already on the ground a huge snow blizzard hit while i was a few miles into the woods. Visually had no idea of which way was north, south, east or west. I couldn't see far enough to recognize any of the mountains or valleys though everything looked different during the snow storm anyway. I just kept peeking at the compass while walking in the blinding snow. In no hurry I eventually came out on the road where my vehicle was about 100 yards away. It was easy walking in but the snow was easily 1.5 feet deep by the time I found the road and still snowing hard.
If I can't see or hear vehicles on the nearest road my compass is with me. Now-a-days it's pretty easy to go any where you want with the phone GPS apps but the old compass is still with me along with food, coffee, water, too many clothes so I can sit without getting cold and multiple of those 10 hour heated hand warmers in a small backpack.