Seat of your Pants Navigation

---

These methods will give you only a general direction, and are in lieu of map and compass or GPS

Lunar Orientation
If the crescent moon rises before the sun sets (a first quarter moon), its illuminated side will face west.

If it rises after midnight (a last quarter moon), the bright side will face east.
(The North Star is more reliable, but but try this lunar method if the stars are obscured).

Using a Clock Face
Hold an analog watch flat, with the hour hand aimed at the sun. South will be halfway between the hour hand and 12. North is 180 degrees in the opposite direction Adjust for daylight-saving time by using 1:00 instead of noon.

Wearing a digital watch? Just draw a clock face on the ground. This technique works for North America below Alaska.

Estimate Distance Traveled
The average footstep is 30 inches, and most folks walk about 2.5 to 3 miles per hour over flat ground.

Find North Using Stick & Shadow Method When the sun is casting shadows, place a 3 foot stick vertically into flat ground. Clear the area around it of debris. Mark the tip of the shadow with a rock. (A). Wait at least 15 minutes and mark the end of the shadow again (B). The line connecting the marks roughly coincides with the east-west line. A line perpendicular to this l ine indicates the north-south line.
Estimating Daylight About 4 fingers of your outstretched hand between the sun and horizon indicates 1 hour of sunlight remaining. Each additional finger represents about 15 more minutes.
The Sunflower, or Compass Plant The name "compass plant" derives from the behavior of its leaves standing upright with their edges set north-south.   The leaves are vertical to enable them to better withstand the hot summer sun
Wilderness navigation using moss Good luck in the desert....the old saying that moss grows on the north side in the northern hemisphere is only partially accurate. Moss and lichens do not necessarily thrive where they receive the most shade but - and this is important - where the moisture is retained the longest. Humidity is an even greater factor than shade. Each locality has its difference in climate, and you should determine for yourself which side retains moisture the longest in your particular area. Only in this way can mosses and lichens be a valuable guide to direction.