If you’re lost without a compass and you need to determine the direction of travel, first remember a few key principles about the earth’s relationship to the sun. In the northern hemisphere, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. And when the sun it at its highest point, it will be due south in the sky. Seasonal variation affects the accuracy of these general rules; they are not exact although these principles can help you determine direction.
When the sun is at his highest point in the sky, objects directly below don’t cast shadows. But at any other time of day, the sun creates shadows that move in a clockwise manner in the northern hemisphere. Knowing this relationship between the sun and shadows, it’s possible to determine both direction and general time of day. Follow these steps to learn how.
