Finding Your Direction

Using the Sun and Shadows

A method that is easy to use when you have sunlight is the Shadow-tip method.

The Shadow-tip Method

You probably know that everywhere on Earth, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. So, the following steps are the same wherever you are.

  1. Find a straight stick about 3 feet long and a reasonalbly level (and brush free) spot on the ground. This is to ensure that the stick will cast a strong shadow.
  2. Hammer the stick into the ground so that is stands upright. It doesn't have to be perfect, just keep it reasonable.
  3. Mark the tip of the shadow cast by the stick.
  4. Wait untill the stick's shadow has moved approximately 1.5 - 2 inches...this usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.
  5. Mark the tip of the second shadow.
  6. Draw a line from the first mark through and about a foot past the second mark.
  7. Stand so that your left foot is on the first mark and your right foot is on the end of the line you drew.

If you are in the northern temperate zone, you will be facing a nothernly direction. Recall that if you are facing the north, then east is to your right, west is to your left, and south is behind you.

If you are in the southern temperate zone, you will be facing a sourthern direction.

Using the Stars

If the night is clear you should be able to see many stars. If you know which direction you need to travel, you can look to the North Star for direction. If you walk towards the North Star, you are traveling in a northern direction. Therefore, you can use this information to determine all directions relative to north. In order to locate the North Star, you should remember that:

  • - All stars revolve around the North Star.
  • - The North Star is the last star in the handle of the Little Dipper. However, it is often difficult to see the entire Little Dipper constellation.
  • - The easiest way to locate the North Star is by way of the Big Dipper. A line drawn from the two bottom stars of the Big Dipper's bowl will point to the North Star.