How to make a compass in the wilderness for daytime navigation
Navigation at night can easily be accomplished via stars and constellations and various other means exist to make a rough estimate of direction, but during the day, to make an accurate assessment of north and south, you must have a compass. Here's how to construct a simple compass in the wild. Components…
How to read and use a topographic map in a survival situation.
Use of a topographic map in a survival situation Topographic maps describe the shape of the land and can be used (along with a compass) to help you locate natural and man-made features like woodlands, waterways, important buildings, and bridges. The information derived from a topographic map can help you…
Using a magnetic compass and triangulation to calculate the distance of a faraway object.
In the wilderness, it is sometimes useful to be able to calculate the distance to a faraway object. Using a compass and basic trigonometry (don’t worry, we’ll show you how), you can easily estimate the distance to a faraway object. This is possible using principles of geometry and triangulation –…
Using a Map and Compass
Parts of a Compass Most compasses have markings similar to these: (1) baseplate, (2) glow in the dark pointer, (3) ruler, (4) needle, (5) orienting lines, (6) direction of travel arrow, (7) index line, (8) declination scale, (9) orienting arrow, (10) housing, (11) dial, (12) scales Baseplate: the hard surface…
No compass available? Here are other means of determining north/south direction.
Stars can be used for navigation and a compass will provide an accurate assessment of north/south direction, but you can also use nature to determine the general direction in a pinch. Moss, puddles, snow melt patterns, rings in a tree stump, even animal behavior can be used to help you…
How to use the stars for navigation (in northern and southern hemispheres).
In a wilderness survival situation, you can determine direction using “markers” in the sky, constellations and key stars, that point the way North or South. The astronomical objects to use are dependent upon your location – Northern Hemisphere or Southern Hemisphere. The Northern Sky (Northern Hemisphere) In the northern hemisphere,…
An easy trick for using the Moon for Navigation.
Because the moon has no light of its own, we can only see it when it reflects the sun's light. As it orbits the earth on its 28-day circuit, the shape of the reflected light varies according to its position. We say there is a new moon or no moon…
How to use the Sun and shadows for navigation.
The earth's relationship to the sun can help you to determine direction (celestial navigation). The sun always rises in the east and sets in the west, but not exactly due east or due west. There is some seasonal variation in the exact direction that the sun sets – the sun…
