PSR ExpertPrimitive Survival Rating

Navigation & Signalling

Sun & star orientation

Pre-compass cultures used solar arcs and star paths; still useful when electronics fail.

1 min readLow energyMedium reliability

At a glance

Energy investmentLow energyObservation only—until you start marching.
ReliabilityMedium reliability
Time15–30 minutes for a bearing sense

Materials

  • Clear sky
  • Stick shadow method
  • Northern/Southern hemisphere star knowledge

Steps

  1. 1Shadow-stick: mark tip shadow; wait 15+ minutes; the line approximates east–west.
  2. 2At night, find your latitude’s reference stars if you know them.
  3. 3Confirm with terrain—never trust a single cue.
Orientation without a compass: a shadow stick with pebbles marking two shadow tips, and above it the Big Dipper pointing at the pole star
The sun gives you a line by day and the pole star holds it by night. Neither one needs a battery.

Common mistakes

  • Overcast sky
  • Magnetic anomalies near metal (if using compass later)
  • Confusing hemisphere star rules

Region fit

Best in: Desert, Mountains, Coast & swamp · Poor in: Temperate forest, Tropical jungle, Snow & ice

  • Temperate forestPoor fit
  • Tropical junglePoor fit
  • DesertGood fit
  • MountainsGood fit
  • Snow & icePoor fit
  • Coast & swampGood fit

Fit keyGood fitPoor fitAvoid

Other methods

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