How to improve my skills for navigating using the sun?

Understanding the Sun’s Path

The sun rises in the east and sets in the west, roughly following the horizon. To navigate using the sun, you need to understand its general path and how it changes throughout the day. For example, at solar noon (the time when the sun is highest in the sky), the sun is approximately due south in the Northern Hemisphere and due north in the Southern Hemisphere. In the morning and evening, the sun is lower in the sky and appears more to the east and west, respectively.

Observing and Estimating the Sun’s Position

To improve your ability to navigate using the sun, practice observing the sun’s position at different times of day. Start by noting the sun’s direction at solar noon and then observe how it changes as the day progresses. As a general rule, the sun rises about 1 degree higher in the sky each minute, so you can estimate its position by measuring the time of day and applying this rate. For example, if the sun is 30 degrees above the horizon at 10:00 AM, you can estimate that it will be 60 degrees above the horizon at 11:00 AM.

Using the Shadow Stick Technique

One simple technique for navigating using the sun is the shadow stick method. To use this technique, find a straight stick and stick it in the ground. Measure the length of the stick’s shadow and then wait for a short period of time (about 15-30 minutes). Measure the new length of the stick’s shadow and observe how it has changed. By knowing the direction of the sun and the length of the shadow, you can estimate your direction of travel and orient yourself accordingly.