7 Wayfinding Methods in Nature: Don't Get Lost!
Navigating in nature... Nature enthusiasts truly understand the value of being immersed in the great outdoors. Whenever they get the chance, they eagerly grab all their camping gear and set up their campsites as soon as possible. Camping not only allows you to live close to nature but also teaches you how to benefit from it, making it a challenging yet enjoyable sport. Many people engaged in this activity prefer to explore nature, find direction in the wilderness, notice the beauty of their surroundings, and take walks in the forest to record these beauties rather than spending their days sitting in camping chairs. However, during forest hikes, if you're not careful and get lost in the lush greenery of the trees or the chirping of birds, you can stray too far from the campsite, or even get lost.
In such a situation, without panicking, first try to remember the direction of your campsite and the direction you started walking. If you didn't bring a compass or have lost it, the wonders of nature such as the sun, stars, and moon are ready to guide you. Let's take a look at navigating in nature together.
FOLLOW THE SUN
If you're outdoors and hiking during the daytime, you're very lucky. As you know, the sun always rises in the east. So, if you stand with your right arm pointing east and your left arm pointing west, the side your face is towards will be north, and the side your back faces will be south.
WATCH ANT NESTS
You're not the only one living in harmony with nature in the area you're in, and you need to be able to notice the small clues left by other creatures. Ants, who leave clues for you, build their nests facing south.
OBSERVE THE FORMATIONS OF MOSS
Moss, which creates stunning sights in nature, usually forms on the north side of rocks and trees, so moss can be your guide to the north. The most important thing to remember here is that in very damp places like lake shores, moss forms in moist areas, so it doesn't always indicate north. Therefore, looking at the moss that forms on the exposed surfaces of trees in open areas will guide you more accurately.
DISCOVER THE POWER OF SHADOWS
Although this method requires more time for navigating in nature, it's worth knowing because it always shows the right direction no matter where you are in the world. Find a long stick from where you are. It could be any tree branch close to a meter in length.
Fix the stick to the ground in an upright position. You can use stones to stabilize it. Mark the end of the first shadow formed by the sun with a stone or leaf so that it doesn't disappear. After about half an hour, mark the end of the second shadow formed. Finally, draw a line that connects the two ends. When you take the first point to your left and the second point to your right, the direction you're facing indicates north.
LOOK TO THE TOPS OF TREES
Trees play a crucial role in navigating in nature. They provide the most observation opportunities in forested areas. There are many clues hidden in trees that you need to know. Generally, trees have very few branches extending to the north. Just look up from the ground to observe this. Another clue is that the surfaces of trees that generally face north are much more humid than those facing south.
LEARN THE POLAR STAR AND CONSTELLATIONS
During clear nights when the sky is visible, the polar star manages to attract attention more brightly than other stars. To notice the polar star, you need to find the constellation of the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper. Learning the constellations is quite important for navigating in nature.
TRACK THE NIGHT'S PATH WITH THE MOON
If the sun is shining during the day, there's a moon to help you navigate in nature at night. If the moon appears before sunset, the illuminated side indicates the west direction, and if it appears after midnight, the illuminated side indicates the east direction. When the moon is in a crescent shape, draw an imaginary line from the two ends of the crescent. If the line resembles the letter 'b,' the ends of the crescent indicate the east; if it resembles the letter 'd,' the ends of the crescent indicate the west.
As you can see, when you can observe nature correctly, it never leaves you alone. It becomes a faithful helper, a friend, always by your side.
