Some orientation's techniques without a map or compas

There are several methods that allow us to find North with varied accuracy whe We don't have a compass as our main guidance tool. The most effectives one I know are the clock method and night stars orientation.

Clock Method
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We can use a needle and watch the position of the sun to find north with ease. To do this, we must know the solar time, for example, in Spain and countries in its timeslot is around two hours less at official summer time and one hour less during winter.

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In temperate zones of the northern hemisphere, if we align the hour hand (small) with the sun, and forming a bisector with the number "12", clock is always south.

In temperate zones of the southern hemisphere, is the number 12 which should point to the sun, and the north is tangent with the bisecting line formed with the hour hand.

Night stars Orientation
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At night, as long as the sky is clear, guidance by the stars is effective and simple.
In the northern hemisphere, the polar star always indicates north. This star is the last one located in the tail of Minor Ursa and, although shown as a very bright star in almost all illustrations, its light is so pale that it is often not easy to see. However, it is easy to be guided by the Big Dipper to locate the point where the polar star is. You only have to extend four times the distance separating the two front stars of the Big Dipper.

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In the southern hemisphere we should look for the "Southern Cross", a diamond-shaped kite constellation. If we extend the length of the comet four times and a half, the imaginary point we locate always indicate the south.

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I am very interested in the Night Stars Orientation. I went outside to look at the stars and like always they aren't visible here in central Georgia. I'm definitely going to read up on this topic more.

 

Some people who grew up near the woods, exploring them growing up, often develop a natural sense of direction. I guess it's natural if you learn through living, and if you did not have the luxury, people need to learn it the hard way, by camping a few times a year, and maybe hope that something sticks, in case you will ever need survival skills in real life. Stars are also an important marking system, especially different constellations and significant stars. But you can only use it at night though, and for the daytime, the sun is your only friend, and is the only reliable mark in direction for the uninitiated.

 

I grew up and the woods were not that far away. Close to the woods was a creek and as kids we would always play there. Growing older we learned about orientations while camping with other kids and that taught us a lot. Without that experience and the help of others I would be lost.

 

I have a terrible sense of direction for the most part.. I should really take the time to teach myself some techniques like this.

 

One I like is the Shadow stick method, but on the fly the watch method is very easy and quick.
Both the sun and the moon follow similar east to west patterns... So Yeah If its early in the morning or late during the day that to is a quick way of easily orientating oneself.. also noting the side of where your shadow falls, and if you walking back to note its on the opposite direction (this is obviously Time dependant, but the correction casn be made upon observing the time it is)