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Build a stick-and-shadow sun compass
A shadow stick gives you a full compass rose anywhere the sun is shining and you have 20 minutes to wait.
BattlBox — Stick and Shadow Survival Compass
Step-by-step
Push a straight stick into flat ground in full sun.
Mark the tip of the shadow with a stone. Wait 15–20 minutes and mark the new tip.
Draw a straight line through both marks — this is your east-west line, with the first mark to the west.
Stand with the west mark at your left toe and the east mark at your right toe; you are facing north.
Mark north, south, east, and west on the ground so you can travel without re-checking.
Tip: For a traveling compass, draw the cross at camp and sight along the north line to a distant landmark before you move.
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.