Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Information => Outdoor News and Events => Topic started by: admin on March 18, 2010

Title: The Natural Way Of Not Getting Lost
Post by: admin on March 18, 2010

Quote

Could you find your way around without the use of a map or any instruments? Natural Navigator Tristan Gooley explains how to avoid getting lost using nature as your only guide.

It surprisingly easy to determine direction without the aid of instruments and only by reference to natural clues.

Using these simple clues to work out which way you stand, before you reaching for the map or GPS, sharpens the senses and brings the world to life.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8568000/8568282.stm

Title: Re: The Natural Way Of Not Getting Lost
Post by: Celt_Ginger on March 18, 2010

I wrote a section for the NIBA website about this very subject a number of months ago.
www.bushcraftni.com
Look under "Skill sets and photos"

Title: Re: The Natural Way Of Not Getting Lost
Post by: DryBag on March 22, 2010

Good stuff.  My sense of direction's terrible, so any info helps.

Celt,
Your point number 4 - tree stump growth rings - the centre will be closer to the south side.  Why is that?  I'd always assumed that the tree would grow faster on the side facing the sun, so the rings would be wider on the south side making the 'centre' point closer to the north. 
(might explain why I get lost so often)

John

Title: Re: The Natural Way Of Not Getting Lost
Post by: Celt_Ginger on March 22, 2010

I'm not sure why it happens. It just does. The first recorded example of this was by Leonardo Da Vinci, though it was also widely known by the North American Indians. The New York State Forrest Commission tested 700 Black Spruce trees and 94% showed the centre ring closer to the South side of the tree.