The Self-Reliance Library
C12.S2.N01

The Self-Reliance Library · Natural Navigation

Navigating by the Sun

Find rough direction with sun path, shadows, and a simple shadow-stick line.

Core rule: the sun gives rough direction, shadows give a ground line, and landmarks confirm the read. Never treat a sun reading like exact compass degrees.

1 Sun Arc

east / morning midday high west / evening

Morning sun points you toward east. Evening sun points you toward west. Midday sun sits generally south in the Northern Hemisphere.

2 Shadow Stick

first = west second = east west-east line
  1. Mark the first shadow tip.
  2. Wait 15-30 minutes.
  3. Mark the second tip.
  4. First mark is west; second is east.

3 Hemisphere Rule

north hemisphere south hemisphere noon shadow north noon shadow south

Northern Hemisphere: midday sun is generally south, and noon shadow points north. Southern Hemisphere: reverse that rule.

4 Do This / Avoid This

Do this

  • Use flat open ground.
  • Wait for real shadow movement.
  • Check with landmarks.

Avoid this

  • Using one shadow mark.
  • Reading from a slope.
  • Calling it exact.

5 Field Practice

  1. Stop and face open sky.
  2. Make the quick sun read.
  3. Plant a straight stick.
  4. Mark the first shadow tip.
  1. Wait 15-30 minutes.
  2. Mark the second shadow tip.
  3. Read the west-east line.
  4. Check landmarks before walking.

Stop if shadow readings disagree with obvious land features. Repeat the setup on flatter ground or wait longer.