How To: An Emergency Land Navigation Tutorial

I've always appreciated the saying, "It's not about the destination; it's about the journey." Surely, stopping at a random stream, pond, or pier to open the car trunk, grab your collapsible-pole and throw a few casts is entertaining, but a strategically planned trip is a core element to a larger plan to simply "get away from it all." A big part of my joy of fishing is the extent to which it’s actually an expedition, rather than merely an activity. From the initial conceptualization of the intended trip—to dropping your bags and flopping on the couch back home, fishing trips are excursions.

That being said, what unfortunately happens far too often are people becoming lost outdoors. Sometimes they forget their modern devices; sometimes said devices fail. Having even basic knowledge of traditional land navigation techniques could mean the difference between life and death.

The most efficient ways to figure-out a situation are through the simplest channels available, and with the fewest required resources. The Shadow-Tip Method of determining direction is an excellent example. It can be conducted in most environments, and is extremely accurate. Please refer to the following step-by-step tutorial:

• Preparation of the platform (area): Find a flat, level clearing. Be sure to choose a spot that provides vivid shadow projection.
• Gathering of materials: You’ll need a rigid stick (about the circumference of your larger thumb and approximately as long as your dominant arm—from elbow to finger tip), and two marble-sized stones
• Construction/arrangement of materials: At the center of the chosen clearing, place the stick firmly into the ground, perpendicular to the surface. Place the first stone at the tip of the projected shadow. Wait (by assisted timer, or counting out-loud) 12-15 minutes (12 for assisted; 15 for counting).
• Device operation: After the determined period of time, place the second stone at the tip of the shadow’s new location. Remove the stick from the ground (or use a second straight stick of equal/greater length) and trace/draw a straight line between stone #1 and stone #2. Trace/draw another line perpendicular the existing.
• Deciphering of device: The first line you’ve drawn is the west-to-east line (stone #1 will always represent west).  From it, you can determine your north/south accordingly.
• Departure from point of navigation: After determining which direction to travel, pick an obvious fixed point in the visible distance (+/- a football field away) and tread directly toward it. Once there, look back to you point of origin, realign it with your location, and pick another fixed point in your direction of travel. Repeat until necessary for rescue or return.

The Shadow-Tip Method is a simple, yet potentially valuable skill to learn for anyone planning to spend a period of time in an isolated wilderness setting. With it—and literally NO man-made items required; you can determine direction accurately, which may be crucial. I recommend learning it, but I hope you’ll never need it.