Post by mud on May 22, 2012 20:44:15 GMT -7
I will attempt to resurrect this from the other place.
Learn to use and carry a compass and map...
Seriously though, there are many tricks to finding your way in the wild. I am map obsessed and often find myself doing nothing but picking out features in my area just to have something to do.
Telling direction using the sun:
There are a couple ways of doing this. First, find a straight stick about 3 ft long and stand it as close to vertical as possible. Note where the end of the shadow is with a rock or anything you may have. Wait at least 15 minutes and mark the shadow's new position. Take your straight stick you had standing up and connect the two marks, this will give you your east/west line. North and south will be at right angles. In the northern hemisphere the sun will be on the south side of the stick.
The second method is much like the first but requires more time but is more accurate.
Find that same stick and place it as you did in the first method in the MORNING. Now take some cordage and a small stick or your knife and tie from the stake to the knife at the EXACT spot the shadow ends. Now make a clean clear mark by dragging your knife/stick around the stake. When the shadow extends again and touches the arc mark that one too. Now use your stake and line them up and you should have a very accurate depiction of direction. You can split arc down the middle to get your north/south line while the stake on the ground gives east/west.
Now your in the woods and they are unfamiliar. When trekking through unfamiliar lands, find and remember landmarks both near, mid and far ranges as vision permits. As you are walking stop and look behind you so you know what the terrain looks like. Pick out markers, odd trees, rocks near the trail, anything that is out of place and would be easily seen. How often you do this depends on how thick the foliage is. When hiking to a destination, once you have your bearings and land mark in front, turn around and find one behind you. Many people tie ribbons or use thumb tacks and reflectors in trees. I prefer to leave things unmolested unless I have to stack a rock for a marker. Once past I will remove the mark.
Maps. Study study study. I have never been lost (not saying I can't just I have not yet) and I credit that to finding land marks. Those landmarks can also be found on maps. Take some time and look over the both topo and or street maps of the area you intend to be hiking/moving through. Knowing how far creeks are and which roads they cross is very valuable information.
If it gets dark on you, make camp if you can. Moving at night is dangerous and if you are NOT lost, moving at night will likely make you that way. If you must move at night, know how to find north as well as recognize landmarks and features in the dark. If you do not have this skill you could be risking not only your life but the lives of those who may be looking for you.
Finding the north star is easy. Find the big dipper, little dipper and you can find north. The north star is at the end of the handle on the little dipper.
Learn to use and carry a compass and map...
Seriously though, there are many tricks to finding your way in the wild. I am map obsessed and often find myself doing nothing but picking out features in my area just to have something to do.
Telling direction using the sun:
There are a couple ways of doing this. First, find a straight stick about 3 ft long and stand it as close to vertical as possible. Note where the end of the shadow is with a rock or anything you may have. Wait at least 15 minutes and mark the shadow's new position. Take your straight stick you had standing up and connect the two marks, this will give you your east/west line. North and south will be at right angles. In the northern hemisphere the sun will be on the south side of the stick.
The second method is much like the first but requires more time but is more accurate.
Find that same stick and place it as you did in the first method in the MORNING. Now take some cordage and a small stick or your knife and tie from the stake to the knife at the EXACT spot the shadow ends. Now make a clean clear mark by dragging your knife/stick around the stake. When the shadow extends again and touches the arc mark that one too. Now use your stake and line them up and you should have a very accurate depiction of direction. You can split arc down the middle to get your north/south line while the stake on the ground gives east/west.
Now your in the woods and they are unfamiliar. When trekking through unfamiliar lands, find and remember landmarks both near, mid and far ranges as vision permits. As you are walking stop and look behind you so you know what the terrain looks like. Pick out markers, odd trees, rocks near the trail, anything that is out of place and would be easily seen. How often you do this depends on how thick the foliage is. When hiking to a destination, once you have your bearings and land mark in front, turn around and find one behind you. Many people tie ribbons or use thumb tacks and reflectors in trees. I prefer to leave things unmolested unless I have to stack a rock for a marker. Once past I will remove the mark.
Maps. Study study study. I have never been lost (not saying I can't just I have not yet) and I credit that to finding land marks. Those landmarks can also be found on maps. Take some time and look over the both topo and or street maps of the area you intend to be hiking/moving through. Knowing how far creeks are and which roads they cross is very valuable information.
If it gets dark on you, make camp if you can. Moving at night is dangerous and if you are NOT lost, moving at night will likely make you that way. If you must move at night, know how to find north as well as recognize landmarks and features in the dark. If you do not have this skill you could be risking not only your life but the lives of those who may be looking for you.
Finding the north star is easy. Find the big dipper, little dipper and you can find north. The north star is at the end of the handle on the little dipper.