3. Determining Time

via: FM 21-76

(1) Move the stick to the intersection of the east-west line and the north-south line, and set it vertically in the ground. The west part of the line indicates 0600 hours, and the east part is 1800, ANYWHERE on earth, because the basic rule, described in 1c in “Finding Direction by Day” above always applies.
(2) The north-south line now becomes the noon line. The shadow of the stick is an hour hand in the shadow-clock and with it you can estimate the time using the noon line and the 6 o’clock line as your guides (fig. 2-6). Depending on your location and the season, the shadow may move either clockwise or counterclockwise, but this does not alter your manner of reading the shadow-clock.

Knowing how to tell direction with nothing more than the sun and the stars is of vital importance when trying to survive.  If technology fails we will have nothing more than our own instincts and training to help guide us so that is why we should always be prepared for whatever is to come!

For more on these tips, be sure to visit Art of Manliness.

Photo Source: Greg Rakozy