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.

To complete this How-To you will need:

A stick
Two rocks
The ability to locate constellations

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.

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Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• camping
• compass
• directions
• how-to
• howcast
• outdoors
• wilderness
• woods

[sdustin85]

if you cant remember how to use two rocks and a fucking stick dont go wandering off in the by yourself.and btw if your that stupid what are you going to do once you figure out where north is haha?

[Maginel73]

When he kicked up his heels, he farted...

[GPakz]

Walk in any direction, eventually you'll find a civilization. This is 2012, we humans have successfully paved over most of the earth.

[johnfatbelly]

at 1:49 does it really cost that much to buy a magnet stick in water

[alexgao814]

step 1 say map

step 2 louder!

step 3 EVEN LOUDER!

step 4 listen to an annoying map sing

[amethysts1997]

what happens if ur lost in the southern hemisphere?

[Jetbus90]

isn't it morning son east sun set west?

[1466002]

a compas doesent cost 300 bucks one like that costs only a few sents

[sdustin85]

@endimion17 Oh As in... You're a fucking tool? Thank you for the grammar lesson now i definately understand.

[codybrady100]

he got ripped off he payed 300$ for a compass

[endimion17]

@sdustin85 It's YOU'RE, not YOUR, you ignorant twat. Learn your fucking language.

[Nubs4TheWin]

Step 1: Go mining

Step 2: get iron and redstone

Step 3: Make a compass.

Step 4: go home and play more Minecraft