How do I find the direction north in the wilderness?

Question

If I'm lost does anyone know of a way to tell which way is north.... without the use of a compass.

Answer 1

If it's evening and the sky is clear, look for the north star. The scoop of the Big Dipper constellation points to it. Follow that direction and you'll head north.

You can also study the moss on trees, and if you know the nearest river, just follow streams downhill until they meet bigger streams and finally a creek or river.

With a needle and a cork and some still water, you could also make your own compass (unless that's cheating).

Answer 2

I guess you don't have a mobile phone with GPS either then?

The important bit:
At local time NOON the Sun is due SOUTH.

If the Sun is clearly visible and you have a watch with hands, then point the hour hand at the Sun. Half way between the hour hand and the 12 o'clock position is SOUTH. SO North will be in the opposite direction.
Note 1: It is the other way around in the Southern Hemisphere.
Note 2: You should really take off Daylight Saving Time to be accurate.
Note 3: This is very hard to do on or near the Equator or near noon..so hopefully your wilderness is in the Far North!
Note 4: DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN while trying this....it does really work.

Answer 3

If you have a watch, the position of the sun
can give you north during the day.
(Point the hour hand at the sun,
1/2 the short distance between the hour hand
and '12` is south, the reverse direction is north.
- A bit off if you're set to daylight savings time).
Note:
If you're in the southern hemisphere north and
south reverse in this proceedure.
If you're in the tropics, you need to know the
season as well.

PS That "moss grows on the north side of the tree"
is not too trustworthy.

Answer 4

If it is daytime, it's pretty easy, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. If it is dark, use the North Star.

Answer 5

If you wake up and the sun is rising and your facing the sun, North will be on your left and it will be on the right if your facing the setting sun.

Answer 6

This is the 21st century...

Dial 911
Turn on your GPS