Buzz
If you find yourself in the wilderness without a compass, there's no need to worry! You can still figure out which way is true north, whether it's day or night. By observing the sun, the shadows it casts, and the stars above, you'll have no trouble heading in the right direction.
Steps
Using the Shadow-Stick Method During Daylight
Find a straight stick at least 2 feet (0.61 m) long. In a wilderness setting, you'll likely find plenty of branches around you. A straight stick of at least 2 feet (0.61 m) will cast a clear, noticeable shadow, helping you determine the direction. The longer the stick, the longer the shadow, making it easier to see.
- The stick's thickness can vary, but one around 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) works well in most cases. If the sky is cloudy, using a thicker stick can help create a more visible shadow.
Note: This technique requires a straight stick. Using a bent or crooked stick will throw off your results, as the shadow will not be aligned correctly.
Place the stick into flat, clear ground. Insert the stick so that it stands upright. If the ground is hard, use a knife or another tool to create a hole. Observe the shadow the stick casts—this is what you'll rely on to determine your direction.
- Use rocks or dirt to secure the stick upright.
- Ensure the shadow falls on flat ground, free from grass or plants. Uneven or grassy ground will distort the shadow. Clear the area if necessary.
Position a rock at the end of the shadow. This marks where the shadow initially ends. It's important to mark the original spot, as the shadow will shift as the sun moves across the sky.
- Since the sun travels from east to west, the shadow will move in the opposite direction. The original shadow's location marks your westernmost point.
Wait for 20 minutes. This gives enough time for the sun to shift, altering the shadow's position. If the shadow hasn't moved enough in 20 minutes, wait an additional 10 minutes.
- If you have no way to track time, simply observe the shadow. Once you notice it moving, mark the new location and continue.
Mark the new location of the shadow. As the sun moves, the shadow will shift eastward. Place either a rock or stick at the new shadow's endpoint.
- Be sure to use something that won't be blown away. If you lose track of both shadow locations, you’ll need to start over.
Draw a straight line between the rocks. As the sun travels westward across the sky, the shadow's new position will be further east. By linking the two rocks, you create an east-west line, which is the first step in determining the direction of north.
- To connect the rocks, you can either draw a line in the dirt or place a straight stick between them.
Label the original location with a ‘W’ and the new location with an ‘E’. This creates a makeshift compass so you can easily differentiate between the directions.
- Keep in mind that a compass shows North, East, South, and West in a clockwise order. If you forget the sequence, just remember the phrase "Never Eat Soggy Watermelon" to recall the correct directions.
Place your left foot on 'W' and your right foot on 'E' to find north. Once you're in this position, your front will be pointing north, and your back will be facing south. This completes your makeshift compass. The direction you're facing is true north, as you're relying on the sun's position, not Earth's magnetic field.
- If you want to keep track of directions, mark an ‘N’ where your front is facing and an ‘S’ where your back is facing.
- This technique works the same in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The only difference is that in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun will be behind you, while in the Southern Hemisphere, the sun will be in front of you.
Using an Analog Watch and the Sun
Take off your analog watch and hold it in front of you. Get a clear view of the watch face and observe where the hour and minute hands are pointing.
- For this method, ensure you’re using an analog watch with hour and minute hands. Digital watches won’t work for this technique.
Point the hour hand towards the sun if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, the sun always moves toward the south. To begin finding the north-south line, align the hour hand of your watch with the sun's position.
Find the midpoint between the hour hand and 12 o’clock. In the Northern Hemisphere, this midpoint represents the north-south line. True north is the side opposite the sun.
- Some analog watches come with an adjustable bezel for directional use. If your watch has this feature, set the arrow at the halfway point between the hour hand and 12 o’clock.
- Keep in mind that this method isn't entirely precise due to global time zone differences, but it will guide you to the general location of true north.
Point the 12 o’clock mark toward the sun if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere. Then, find the halfway point between the hour hand and 12 o’clock to determine the north-south line.
- In the Southern Hemisphere, true north lies toward the sun.
Use 1 o'clock instead of 12 during Daylight Savings. Depending on the time of year and location, Daylight Savings might be in effect. This method remains the same, but because of the 1-hour time shift, use 1 o’clock instead of 12.
- Daylight Savings occurs between March and November in regions that observe it.
Finding the North Star in the Northern Hemisphere
Find the Big Dipper constellation. Also known as Ursa Major, this constellation is crucial for locating the North Star (Polaris), the star that indicates true north in the Northern Hemisphere. The Big Dipper is one of the largest and easiest constellations to spot on a clear night.
- Named after its spoon-like shape, the Big Dipper consists of some of the brightest stars in the sky. Look up and find the cluster of stars that form this shape.
- Despite its fame, the North Star isn't the brightest star in the sky. Use the Big Dipper to guide you to it.
Locate the outer edge of the Big Dipper. The outer edge, resembling the end of a spoon, consists of two stars. These two stars are known as the “pointers,” as they direct you straight toward the North Star.
Draw an imaginary line from the pointer stars. Extend this line through the top of the spoon. The North Star is located at the end of this line.
- The North Star marks the tip of the Little Dipper’s handle and is the brightest star in that constellation. If you see a small, spoon-shaped cluster of stars near the North Star, you’ve found it.
Face the North Star. When you're facing the North Star, you're directly facing true north. This enables you to determine the other directions.
- Remember, when facing north, the directions to your right, left, and behind you are east, west, and south, respectively.
Estimate the distance if the sky is cloudy. On cloudy nights when the North Star is hidden, you can still find the Big Dipper and estimate how far away the North Star is.
- The North Star lies roughly six times the distance between the two pointer stars. Measure the space between these stars and multiply it by six to get an approximate distance to the North Star.
Using Stars for Navigation in the Southern Hemisphere
Identify the Southern Cross constellation. In the Southern Hemisphere, the North Star isn't helpful, so you'll need to find true south using the Southern Cross. This constellation is visible year-round in the Southern Hemisphere.
- The Southern Cross is made up of four bright stars that form a kite shape when you trace their outline.
Locate the pointer stars. Two bright stars outside of the Southern Cross are known as the pointers. These stars are nearly aligned with the two closest stars of the Southern Cross.
- These pointer stars are among the brightest in the Southern Hemisphere. If you’re struggling to find the Southern Cross, the pointer stars are an excellent starting point.
Draw an imaginary line down from the longest angle in the Southern Cross. The two stars, Gacrux and Acrux, are the farthest apart in the Southern Cross. Imagine a line extending between them and continue it at the same angle.
- To visualize the line, hold a stick straight out in front of you.
- Keep in mind that the line’s position may change throughout the year as the constellation rotates with the Earth.
Draw an imaginary line from the midpoint between the pointers. Just as you did with the Southern Cross, locate the midpoint between the two pointer stars and extend a line from there. This line should cross the one you drew from the Southern Cross, marking true south.
- Find a natural landmark to use as a reference, like a tall tree, to identify where the two lines intersect, which will point you to true south.
Rotate 180 degrees with your back facing south to face true north. Once you’ve identified true south, simply turn around by 180 degrees to face true north. Ensure that you rotate precisely 180 degrees, or you might end up off-center, not facing the exact direction of true north.
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In case you're lost in the wilderness, one of the most important survival tips is to stay where you are. This increases the chances of rescuers locating you quickly and getting you to safety. Moving around complicates things, as rescuers will need to track your movements, which slows down the process.
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If you have a GPS device or even just your phone, use it to load a map of your surroundings along with your GPS coordinates. This can be extremely useful in pinpointing your location and assisting rescuers.
