How to Tell Directions without a Compass

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No compass or map? No problem. Figure your way out of the wilderness just by looking around you.

Step 1: Use the shadow stick method
During the day, try the shadow stick method. Find a stick about three feet tall and put it in a flat piece of ground with no greenery nearby. Mark the end of its shadow with a rock. Wait 30 minutes, and mark the tip of the new shadow. The connecting line runs from west to east, with the first mark indicating west.

Step 2: Observe any snow
If there is lingering snow on the ground, gauge where it’s located. In the Northern Hemisphere, there will be more snow on north-facing slopes, which generally get less sun.

Step 3: Inspect tree bark
Inspect older trees. In the Northern Hemisphere, the side of the tree with the thinner bark is usually facing southeast. Also, there tends to be more foliage on that side.

Tip
Contrary to conventional wisdom, moss can grow on sides other than north, so this is not an accurate predictor of direction.

Step 4: Wait until the sun begins setting
Wait until the sun begins setting. Whichever direction it’s going down is west.

Step 5: Look at the moon
If the moon is in a crescent phase, imagine a line running from its top tip to its bottom tip and continuing all the way down to the horizon. If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, the point where the imaginary line touches the ground is south.

Step 6: Find the North Star
If the moon is not in a crescent phase, find the North star by locating the Big Dipper and following the front edge of its cup from bottom to top, extending that line up about five times its length until you see a star.

Step 7: Walk in a straight line
Once you know where you’re going, walk in a straight line. To avoid accidentally veering off course, find landmarks to walk toward, and go around obstacles on alternating sides every time you come to one.

Step 8: Buy a compass
Buy a compass as soon as you get back to civilization.

Did You Know?
The magnetic compass was first used by the Chinese over 2,000 years ago.