Travelers often use the map and compass to determine the direction of the onward route. However, there are situations when the compass is missing. In these cases, you can use alternative methods to help determine the desired side of the world, for example, east.
Instructions
Step 1
To determine the cardinal point, take your wristwatch and place it on a horizontal surface. If they show daylight saving time, move the clock hand back one hour. Turn the watch so that the hour hand points towards the sun. Imagine another arrow pointing to 12. The line that bisects the angle formed by these two arrows points south. The opposite direction will be north, west on the right, and east on the left.
Step 2
In sunny weather, place a tall stick upright on a flat, clean surface. Make a mark on the edge of the stick shadow. Wait 20-30 minutes and mark the edge of the shadow again. Draw a straight line from the first to the second mark. This line will indicate the east direction.
Step 3
At night, you can find a landmark by the stars. Place a stick at eye level. Set the second, higher one a little further so that their tips are in line with the bright star. Observe this star for an hour at 15 minute intervals. Determine the side of the world by its movement. If it moves up, then you are facing east, if down - west, right - south, left - north.
Step 4
The North Star will help determine the side of the world in the Northern Hemisphere. It is always motionless and points to the real, not magnetic, north. Find Ursa Minor in the sky. The last point in the handle of the bucket will be the North Star. Once you determine the direction to the north, you will find the east.
Step 5
Use trees as a guide on a cloudy day. This is not a hard and fast rule, but in general, tree trunks are overgrown with moss on the north side, while ants build anthills on the south. Once you have established where north and south are, define east.
