For Method 1:

Bright, direct sunlight (for the day methods)

A traditional (not digital) watch with rotating hands

A straight, stiff, very thin stick, approximately 1/8" wide and at couple of inches long. A pencil or pen will do in a pinch.

For Method 2:

A stick! A straight, somewhat sturdy stick, about eight inches in length.

Bright, direct sunlight

For Method 3:

More sticks! Fortunately, they're always around when you need them. You'll need two straight sticks of uneven length, somewhere around a foot in length.

Method 1: 5 minutes
Method 2: about 1 hour
Method 3: 5 minutes

2torial #0472: Learn2 Improvise a Compass (Day and Night) "North? That's UP, right?" Whether climbing at Annapurna Sanctuary or wandering in the local park, it's a good idea to know your direction. Knowing that the sun sets in the west doesn't do the trick. But even if celestial navigation is more reliable, how does it help on a day hike? This 2torial will cover three different methods, two by day and one by night: Use your Watch, Use a Stick, and By the Stars. Each of these methods will enable you to better understand your locale--there is actually a basis for navigation, you know. If you have become lost, don't panic. Relax, sit down, and come up with a solution to the problem, or at least a plan. If it is Daylight Savings Time, turn your watch back an hour before you calculate your direction. Method 1