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Find north with a stick and shadow
A shadow moves west to east through the day — that gives you a true east-west line.
AlfieAesthetics — The Primitive Compass
Step-by-step
Push a straight stick vertically into flat, level ground in the sun.
Mark the tip of the shadow with a small stone. Wait 15-20 minutes.
Mark the new tip of the shadow with a second stone.
The line between the two stones runs west-to-east; first stone is west.
Stand with the first stone at your left foot and the second at your right — you're facing north.
Tip: Longer wait, more accurate line. This works anywhere the sun casts a shadow.
Related outdoor skills
Educational reference only. Wilderness conditions change fast — practice in low-stakes settings, take a certified wilderness first-aid course, and confirm regional regulations before you rely on any of these skills in the field.