When Alyssa Chambers, 20, of Orangeville and Alex Lupu, 21, of Richmond Hill decided to take a short hike at Mono Cliffs Provincial Park last Friday, they weren't anticipating it turning into a 12- hour ordeal.

After departing for their hike early in the afternoon of January 2, the pair lost their way and ended up finding refuge in a park outhouse.

When the couple failed to return home and hadn't heard from, concerned relatives called OPP around 10 p.m. A canine unit based in Wasaga Beach, consisting of OPP Cst. Murray de Ruiter and the German Shepherd Maximus, was one of two dispatched to the scene and located Mr. Lupu and Ms. Chambers at about 2 a.m.

Both hikers, whose cell phones could not get a signal, came away from the ordeal unharmed.

Cst. de Ruiter explains that tracking dogs operate by picking up on the freshest scent and following it. "That made it a little difficult," he said, "because the area is popular for hikers and there were many different scents."

As for the hikers, Cst. de Ruiter says they did the right thing by staying in the outhouse until help arrived. "When you realize you're in unfamiliar territory, the thing to do is look for shelter and sit tight."

Ms. Chambers and Mr. Lupu also had the presence of mind to use tissue paper to fill as many openings in the structure as possible, and to line their shoes with tissue to help prevent frostbite.

The temperature that night fell to a low of - 7 C.

Cst. de Ruiter says hikers cannot be too cautious in their preparations, particularly in winter. He says they should have "some survival items" on hand, such as a flashlight and possibly a blanket.