Tell direction by time and sun?

[thegratenate]

I would like to know how this is done. I don't own a compass but always were a watch. I appologize for my ignorance but I am willing to learn.
Thanks.
Nate

[luigi]

Ok here we go:

If you have a stick, use the stick perpendicular to the soil to project a shadow, mark the end of the stick with something (a rock, an X, etc). Wait 15 minutes and repeat. If you then draw a line using the 2 marks you have the East-West direction. If your first mark is on your left and the 2nd one on your right you are facing North.

Using a Watch:
Point the hour hand to the sun, then Bisect the hour hand and the 12 oclock mark and you have the N&S line. In the souther hempisphere point the 12 o'clock mark. Ignore DST if you are in a country with DST. This works better and better if you are far from the equator.

I hope it helps.

Luigi

[thegratenate]

Ok here we go:
. Ignore DST if you are in a country with DST. This works better and better if you are far from the equator.

I hope it helps.

Luigi





Still learning here, does this mean that in the winter I add an hour?
Thanks.
Nate

[trax]

I often used this technic in outdoor (not in survival situation, but for practising...), and it always worked !
Maybe someone will be able to confirm or not, but sometimes I heard it was more precise to use GMT. Maybe it's not necessary, because this way to find geographic North is not expected to be exact, but just a way to orient yourself...

[luigi]

If your timezone is GMT -4 your watch should be in GMT -4 and not in a different timezone due to DST changes. Just make sure about the timezone of the place where you are or where you go and that will work fine.

Luigi