Some people enjoy traveling in the wilderness to experience the beauty of nature. What should you do if you lose your compass while out in the wild?
Below, we’ll teach you how to determine direction without a compass.
Method/Steps
If you have a watch, you can align the hour hand with the direction of the sun. After 30 minutes, check the direction halfway between the 12 o’clock mark and the hour hand—that direction is south.
When the sun casts a shadow, find a straight, long stick and stick it into flat ground. Then, mark the tip of the shadow. Wait 30 to 60 minutes, then mark the new tip of the shadow. Next, place one foot on each of the two marks. The direction you are now facing is north.
If you’re at night, you can find the North Star to determine direction. First, locate the Big Dipper. Above the edge of the Big Dipper’s bowl is the North Star, and the direction the North Star points to is north.
If you get lost in a forest in the wilderness, look for a lone large tree—the side with denser foliage indicates the south. You can also find a fallen tree and examine its rings—the side with sparser rings is the south.
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