def count_guard_positions(map_lines):
    # Convert the map to a mutable 2D list of characters
    grid = [list(row) for row in map_lines]
    rows, cols = len(grid), len(grid[0])
    
    # Directions: UP=0, RIGHT=1, DOWN=2, LEFT=3
    directions = [(-1, 0), (0, 1), (1, 0), (0, -1)]
    
    # Find the initial guard position '^'
    start_pos = None
    for r in range(rows):
        for c in range(cols):
            if grid[r][c] == '^':
                start_pos = (r, c)
                grid[r][c] = '.'  # Replace '^' with '.'
                break
        if start_pos:
            break
    
    # Initialize guard state
    current_pos = start_pos
    current_dir = 0  # Start facing UP
    visited = {current_pos}
    steps = 0
    
    # Large safety limit to prevent infinite loops in case something goes wrong
    max_steps = rows * cols * 10
    
    while True:
        steps += 1
        if steps > max_steps:
            # If something is wrong, break out to avoid infinite loop
            print("Exceeded maximum expected steps. Stopping.")
            break
        
        # Calculate the next forward position
        dr, dc = directions[current_dir]
        next_r = current_pos[0] + dr
        next_c = current_pos[1] + dc
        
        # Check if moving forward would leave the grid
        if not (0 <= next_r < rows and 0 <= next_c < cols):
            # The guard leaves the mapped area here
            break
        
        # Check if the next cell is an obstacle
        if grid[next_r][next_c] == '#':
            # Can't move forward, turn right
            current_dir = (current_dir + 1) % 4
            continue
        
        # The next cell is free, move forward
        current_pos = (next_r, next_c)
        visited.add(current_pos)
        # Continue forward in the same direction on the next iteration
    
    return len(visited)


# Given example grid
example_grid = [
    "....#.....",
    ".........#",
    "..........",
    "..#.......",
    ".......#..",
    "..........",
    ".#.^......",
    "........#.",
    "#.........",
    "......#..."
]

result = count_guard_positions(example_grid)
print("Result:", result)