1. Finding Direction by Day

via:FM 21-76

(a) Steps to follow. Find a fairly straight stick about 1 meter long and follow these steps:

Step 1: Push the stick into the ground at a fairly level, brush-free spot where a distinct shadow will be cast. The stick need not be vertical; inclining to obtain a more convenient shadow, in size or direction, does not impair the accuracy of the shadow-tip method.
Step 2: Mark the shadow tip with a small peg, stick, stone, twig, your finger, hole in the snow, or other means. Wait until the shadow tip moves a few inches — using a 1 meter stick, 10 to 15 minutes should be sufficient.
Step 3: Mark the new position of the shadow tip.
Step 4: Draw a straight line from the first rock to the second rock and extend it about a foot past the second rock.
Step 5: Stand with the toe of the left foot at the first rock and the toe of the right at the end of the line you drew.

Next: Finding Directions at night

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