Navigate by the night sky

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Using the Moon to find the Meridian

by Shaykh Idris
(Australia)

By the meridian, I mean the North-South line of the observer. Take a length of cord (even if you have to make it, or a straight stick) in your fingers, one hand extended at arm's length, one close to your shoulder. This is the proper length for each person.

Sight the horns of the Moon at the extended end, and see where the other end sits on or below the horizon. That is towards the equator, then at right angles to the Horns; that will mark the Polar direction. It makes no difference whatever phase the moon is in. Winter full moons will be more over head than Summer full moons.

Practice this method till you are comfortable with your accuracy. About two months will see you happy, as I found.

Learn more about wilderness navigation, both with and without a map and compass.

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Navigation by the moon

by Al
(Jackson Tennessee)

I always study in advance the times of the rise and set for the sun and moon. In the northern hemisphere when the moon is at its transit (mid point between rise and set) it is very close to due south.

A waxing moon always points west toward the sun and a waning moon always points east toward the sun. These are general directions of course.

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Finding Direction by the stars

by Shaykh Idris
(NSW Australia)

Capricorn looks like an arrow head, it points due South: Orion always rise in the east & sets in the West, the third star down, opposite the handle on the pot, is on the equator; using a cord or a bandanna, face any star or planet, arm extended, swing the cord at an arm's length, {shoulder to thumb & finger}till it arcs on the horizon, mark that spot, do the like with any other stars: soon you will have a pretty good idea of your meridian, or North-South line.

Takes a bit of practice to get the hang of it, but it works!

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A wilderness survival course will provide you with the practical experience necessary to handle many kinds of problems that could arise in the wilderness.

It's essential that you have some basic principles of wilderness first aid and know how to apply them, even under stress.

Building a survival shelter is an absolute priority if you face a survival situation in harsh or unpredictable weather.

Selecting appropriate gear is important to have a safe wilderness trip.

A "pocket survival kit" should be small enough to easily fit into a shirt or a coat pocket.

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Start to prepare your trip before you head for the trails!

Make sure you have the basic wilderness skills to safely enjoy your trip.