![]() ![]() Point the hour hand (the little hand), on your watch at the sun.If you look up and see a flaming ball in the sky, this could be the sun These are the direction, for those of us, in the Northern Hemisphere! If you are in the Southern Hemisphere, then your half-way point will be pointing North instead of South! You can use your watch to determine direction. The Rock, or first marker indicates West and the current tip of the shadow indicates East. Draw a line between the rock, or other marker, and the current tip of the shadow. In a while (15 minutes or more) the Shadow will have moved.Put a rock, or other marker, on the tip of the shadow, cast by the stick.Stick a stick or branch into the ground.However, there is a more accurate way to use the sun. For example, if you want to travel North and the sun just rose you can keep it directly to your right and you will be moving in the correct general direction. This can give you a general method for navigation. Obviously, the sun rises in the East and sets in the West. If you find yourself lost without a compass, this could be your best bet. The sun and stars have been used for land navigation for thousands of years. This should roughly take you back to the point where you began. As you walk towards the tree, you should notice that the peak will move from directly to your right to slightly behind you and to your right. The mountain peak is now directly to your left and the tree is directly behind you.Īt this point, you can turn back toward the tree with the peak on your right and start walking towards the tree. You head north for about a mile and notice you are lost. This should give you an idea of where you need to head to get back to where you left the trail.įor example, you notice before you leave the trail to the North that there is a mountain peak to the NW and a tree taller than all of the others to the South just off the trail. If you get to the point at which you feel like you are lost, get to a high area and locate those same landmarks. They should be large enough that you can see them from a distance. In order to do this, you need to note the location of landmarks before you leave the trail. You can also use landmarks to navigate without a map. Your goal is to get to a linear landmark that will guide you back to safety such as a road, trail, river, stream, or shoreline. Rotate the map until you have your estimated distances right, and then triangulate your rough location.įrom there you should be able to determine the best general direction in which to travel. You will need to see at least two landmarks to orient your map.Įstimate your distance to each landmark and then find the landmarks on your map. Note down where you see these landmarks in the area. It could be a mountain peak, a hilltop, or you could even climb a tree. Your first step is to get to a high point from which you can see a long way in all directions. Both topographical and road maps often have landmarks on them such as mountains, bodies of water, trails, and roads. If you have a map but do not have a compass, you can still potentially find your way. ![]() Do not rely upon technology to save you, but certainly use it if you have the capability. It could be trees, mountains, or even heavy clouds. This means that anything between you and that signal can shut the device down. Satellite images and GPS work by receiving a signal directly from a satellite in space. ![]() However, these devices can get wet, can be broken, or can lose signal. Most phones have the ability to track your location on a satellite image. Yes, having a cell phone or a GPS device can get you to safety. Let’s get this one out of the way right upfront. Here are some methods that you can try to help you get back to the trail: 1. Stay calm and come up with a logical plan to get where you need to be even without a compass! When you lose your cool, you typically do not move in a logical direction. Your life is now in danger.īut do not panic. You’ll start to pick up the pace which most often makes things worse.įinally, you realize you are completely lost and must try to plan a route to get back to safety, but you forgot to pack your compass. Unfortunately, in most cases you will be heading further away from the trail and further into the wilderness. ![]()
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