The ability to navigate among unfamiliar places is an important quality of a modern, competent tourist. This means, first of all, not to get lost in an unfamiliar place, to establish your location in time by the sides of the horizon and geographical objects, and to find out the direction of further movement.

It’s good when an experienced instructor takes a compass on a hike; this is not always the case in unprepared groups. If tourists find themselves in an unfamiliar area without a compass, there is no need to despair. There are many ways to navigate the terrain without this device and it’s worth getting to know them.

Tree navigation

If tourists find themselves without a compass in an unfamiliar forest area, you need to look carefully at the trees. In the south, the tree crown is more luxuriant and there are significantly more leaves. The densest branches in the dense forest develop here; the sun heats them better. Trees reach out for warmth with every leaf. In the north there are much fewer leaves and branches.

The method is not absolutely correct; allowances must be made for prevailing winds, the presence of moisture, and soil types. It is more reliable to navigate along lonely growing trees than in a dense forest.

The bark on trees will tell you a lot when orienteering. Tree trunks from the south are heated better than from the north. It is the southern side of the trunk that is lighter in bark and drier. On the heated southern surface of the trunk you can see clots of resin. The secondary layer of dark, cracking bark on pine trees forms on the trunk from the north. After rain, the trunks of pine trees darken from the north and dry out more slowly due to a lack of sun rays.

You can navigate by the bark in a birch forest; from the south it is always lighter, more elastic and thinner. Roughness and cracks, dark growths form on the trunks of birch trees from the north. Birch is a very flexible, thin-trunked tree in young forests; the tilt of the trunk will indicate the direction of the prevailing winds.

You can navigate by the cut down stump, you just need to look at it carefully tree rings. Where the gaps between the annual rings are larger - south, and where the rings are located close to each other - north. It’s good if you come across a clearing with cut trees along the way. Even a few stumps will help confirm your orientation assumptions.

In the forests along which the tourist routes pass, there are special signs, called tourist labeling. They are painted on the trunks along a planned route, always from the nearest populated area.

Orientation by mosses and lichens

moss on the tree

This is perhaps one of the most popular ways to navigate the area. Trunks large trees in the forest, aspens, poplars, firs, cedars from the north are covered with various lichens and mosses due to excess moisture. Even if the entire tree is overgrown with moss, from the north its thickets are denser and wetter. This is noticeable if you examine the trunk at the bottom. On boulders, screes and kurumniks from the north of the stones you can also observe thickets of moss and lichen. These are plants that cannot tolerate direct sunlight, bright light and intense heating. The soil north of the rocks feels wetter to the touch.

Orientation by anthill

Stump with anthill

Anthills are built by insects in the south of mountain slopes, trees, large stones and stumps for good heating by the sun. Ants are very heat-loving insects and carefully maintain the microclimate in the home. From the south, where the sun warms better, the anthill has a long, gentle slope. The steep slope of the anthill always faces north. The paths of heat-loving ants run from the southern side of the anthill.

Orientation by temples and glade pillars

Orthodox churches and Catholic churches are built oriented towards the cardinal points. Just look at the crosses located on the Orthodox church, the lower part of the lower crossbar points to the south, the upper to the north.

The entrance to the temple and the bell tower are located on the west side, the altar in the church is located on the east. In Catholic churches, on the contrary, the altar is located in the west. By Muslim mosques It is more difficult to determine the sides of the horizon; they are oriented towards Mecca. Likewise, Jewish synagogues are oriented toward Jerusalem. Although the doors of synagogues and mosques are in the north.

If you manage to find a clearing in the forest, if necessary, you should look for a post with bright numbers on it. They will point tourists to the square number topographic map terrain. The smallest numbers of the cutting column will point to the north.

Orientation by the sun and stars

To navigate by the Sun on a bright sunny day, you should wait until midday. At this time, the luminary is at its zenith, any shadow cast by objects becomes short. You should stand with your back to the luminary; the tourist’s shadow will indicate the direction to the north. The south will be behind the traveler. On his right hand will be the east direction, along left hand– Western.

In the off-season, on spring and autumn days, the sun will rise strictly in the east and set in the west. At noon in any season, the star is in the south and every shadow points to the north. On winter days, the sun will rise from the southeast and set from the southwest. On summer days, the sun will rise from the northeast and set from the northwest.

Any traveler has an idea of ​​the constellations of his northern sky. Today, almost every schoolchild can find the stars Ursa Major and Ursa Minor in the sky. But although tourists may theoretically know that the North Star is the end star on the tail of Ursa Minor, finding it can be quite difficult. The advice to help with this is to find the two terminal stars in Ursa Major and mentally continue the line connecting them to the bright Polar Star. Standing facing it, the tourist will look north.

Table: determining parts of the world by the sun

other methods

Forest inhabitants will help tourists navigate the terrain without a compass or map. The squirrel inhabits only hollows protected from the prevailing winds. Insect paths on tree trunks are often on the south side. Migratory birds In the spring they fly in a northerly direction, in the fall - to the south. In spring, the snow begins to melt on the southern slopes of hollows and ravines, and the grass here is subsequently thicker and taller. In summer, on hot days, there is lush grass on the northern side of buildings, stones, and forest edges. The soil is drier and berries ripen earlier on southern slopes.

Using a nail, a sewing needle, or a piece of wire, you can make a homemade tourist compass. At the same time, you need to understand that it will point to the magnetic pole and there will be a small error. This piece of steel must be magnetized by rubbing it on wool. In one case, it can be tied on a long thread by the center of gravity, it will rotate and stop in the north-south position. In another case, a magnetized needle is placed on a dry leaf in a small pond, the needle will indicate the north-south direction.

Given all the knowledge about orienteering without a compass, you should remember that you should not use one or two methods. Use your knowledge repeatedly, test it and if several observations are correct, the group will find the right direction.

One of the most important skills of any hunter is the ability to navigate the area, or at least have an idea of ​​where to go next. First of all, to do this, you should correctly establish the cardinal directions, namely, which direction is north. There are several methods for finding cardinal directions.

Establishing compass directions is,
perhaps the most famous method. In this case, everything is quite simple - N-North, W-West, E-East, S-South. But it just happens when
you have a compass with you, which, unfortunately, is not always the case, in most
cases, we walk without a compass. Therefore, it is recommended to know the methods without
compass to determine cardinal directions.

On a sunny day
You can use a watch instead of a compass

This method is based on movements in one direction - visible
the daily movement of the Sun and the movement of the clock hand. Hour hand on normal
the dial circles the circle twice during the day, and the Sun during this time
the sky “goes around” only once. It follows from this that the hour hand, unlike
moves away from the Sun twice as fast. If the watch is placed horizontally and on
Direct the sun in the hour hand (the minute hand is not taken into account),
then the hour hand and the Sun will be directed south at this time. Clock position
do not change and after a few hours we look at the location of the clock hand and
Sun. The hour hand, for example, at 17:00 will point to the number five, and
The sun is opposite the number three (this is when viewed from the middle of the dial). It follows from this that the hour hand is from
the southern direction made an angle twice as large as the Sun. Similar
the result will also be obtained for other time intervals. Thus,
You can determine the cardinal directions on a sunny day using this method at any hour.

Subsequence
problem solving

• Manual
  We place the watch or pocket watch with the dial up, horizontally.
• Hourly
  We try to direct the arrow as accurately as possible to the Sun (where it will be
  the direction of the minute hand does not matter).
• Corner,
  obtained between the number "one", the middle of the dial and the number where
  The hour hand is directed at this time, divide in half. The straight line that
  divides this angle in half, will be approximately directed to the South.

The hour hand should always be directed towards
The sun is something to keep an eye on.

Determining the sides
light according to the clock and the moon

The cardinal directions are determined by the Moon in the same way as
and according to the Sun, but with a slight difference. In case of establishing cardinal directions according to
The Moon must first determine after what time the Sun
position itself where the Moon is currently located.

To determine the cardinal directions:

• Radius
  conditionally divide the lunar disk into six identical parts and establish
  how many parts will be in the visible part of the Moon's disk.
• TO
  Now we add the number of shares to the hour of observation, or vice versa,
  we take away. If the Moon is waning (can be seen in the sky left side disk
  Moon), then you need to add, and accordingly, if the Moon arrives
  (visible in the sky right part lunar disk), then subtract.
• Received
  We mark the number on the dial and combine it with the course to the Moon. Where is the South?
  will indicate the line that in winter divides the angle between the number “one” and the line on
  The moon, and in the summer between the number “two” and
  line to the Moon.

Determining the sides
light according to the North Star and Ursa Major

Almost always the North Star is combined with the “pole
world", which means it is always located above the northern place of the horizon. Many
Polaris is believed to be the brightest star. But she really
actually no brighter than such stars as No. 1 and No. 2 of the constellation Ursa Major. They
indicate a course towards the North Star, which is almost in a straight line and
passes through these stars. Against the sky, the apparent distance from star No. 1 is equal to the distance between star No. 1 and No. 7
or more than five and a half times the distance between stars No. 2 and No. 1.

Knowing the course to the North Star, knowing its visible interval from
star No. 1, you can accurately determine the north direction. You can even determine
when the North Star is not visible because of the clouds, but stars No. 2 and No. 1 of the constellation
Ursa Major is clearly visible.

Determine the cardinal directions in northern latitudes on lighting
sky at night

In northern latitudes the Sun is from the beginning of spring to September
It descends relatively shallowly below the horizon. This situation and comparative
the proximity of the places of sunset and sunrise makes it possible during the indicated periods
time of year to explain this phenomenon.

For almost 6 months in northern regions and at night
time of day, the light part of the sky is northern, and the dark part of the sky is southern. This phenomenon
on South former USSR not observed because the Sun is at night in summer
days deep below the horizon.

Cardinal directions
determined by the location of anthills

Ants build their “dormitory” mainly in places where it is easy to
the sun's rays penetrate. Most of the sun's heat and light will fall on
anthill, if it is located
from the adjacent tree trunk to the south, otherwise the anthill will not get
the sun's rays from behind the tree trunk itself (it will simply cover the anthill).
In an effort to gain more solar heat and sunlight, ants
instinctively build their “house” from the tree trunk to the south.

Cardinal directions
determined by moss

Moss or lichen grows mainly in the northern
side of tree trunks in their lower part.

The northern part of the tree is less heated by the sun, so in
tree bark stores more moisture, and this promotes better growth
moss.

Cardinal directions
determined by annual rings and stumps

On tree stumps, the annual rings on the south side are wider from each other
friend, but from the north it is closer. But
this sign is used only in some cases when the tree was growing before felling
separately, not shaded by branches, trunks, or branches of neighboring trees.

Thus, on stumps located in the thicket of the forest, determine the cardinal directions by annual rings
not worth it. This method can only be used for a single tree,
growing in a forest clearing.

So that the trip for forest gifts is not only exciting activity, but also have a good rest, it is necessary to prepare and adjust all equipment in advance. Don't forget your compass, although you can still find your way home without one. Every mushroom picker should be able to navigate the forest well. Remember a few simple signs first.

Mushroom picker's reminder

• Those growing on open place The branches of the trees are longer and thicker to the south, and the trunks of the northern side are covered with moss.
• There are more spots on the trunks of birch trees on the north side.
• You can determine the cardinal directions by the cuts on the stumps: the annual rings on the southern side are wider, and narrower on the northern side.
• On stumps and boulders, the soil on the south side is drier than on the north side, and moss grows on the north side.
• Ripe lingonberries and cranberries are brighter in color on the south side and lighter on the north.
• On coniferous trees, resin accumulates more abundantly on the south side.
• An anthill near a tree trunk, stump or stone is located on the south side.
• Bees usually build their nests on rocks and in tree holes facing south.
• If you are walking far into an unfamiliar forest without a compass, then try to remember any noticeable landmarks along the way: swamps, a stream, a river, a lake, a path, a road, the noise of a car on a highway, the sound of wheels on a railway, as well as country roads with high-voltage electricity. power lines, poles, towers, unusual trees, intersections, forks in roads, etc.
• It is best to bypass the swamp; few mushrooms grow there.
• The direction North -> South is not difficult to establish using a watch. To do this, the clock is set to horizontal position pointing the hour hand towards the sun. The angle between the hour hand and the direction towards number 12 on the clock dial is divided in half. A line passing from the center of the clock through the middle of the corner will always indicate the direction North -> South. Remember that before 12 o'clock the south will be to the right of the sun, and after 12 o'clock to the left.
• At night it is not difficult to navigate by the moon. The full moon is opposite the sun, which means that at seven o'clock it is in the west, at noon in the south and at 19 o'clock in the east. A straight line drawn mentally through the two extreme stars of the Big Dipper, which has the shape of a bucket, will go to the bright Polar Star, which is always in the north in our hemisphere.
• You can tell the time using the so-called “green clock”. There are quite a few plants that have the property of opening and closing their flowers at the same time. So, rosehip opens its thorns at 4-5 o'clock, poppy - 5, dandelion - at 5-6 o'clock, flax - at 6-7, loach - at 8, coltsfoot - at 9-10, fragrant tobacco - at 20, violet - at 21 o'clock.
• In spring and summer, a mushroom picker can quite accurately navigate in time by the voices and singing of birds. So, long before dawn, the trills of a nightingale are heard - this means it is 2 o’clock in the morning. At 2-3 o'clock the robin and skylark wake up, and at about 3 o'clock the quail wakes up. By 3 o'clock the cuckoos wake up. At about 4 o'clock the chaffinch and bunting sing at once, a little later - the starling and wagtail. And only the couch potato sparrow sleeps until 5 am.
• Remember that in the second half of summer the sun is in the east at 7 a.m., in the south at 1 p.m., and in the west at 7 p.m.
• Flowers and plants are sensitive to weather changes. They can help the mushroom picker determine the weather for the coming days. Before bad weather, wood sorrel and wood grains disappear, sweet clover and dandelion flowers smell strongly, and the flowers of coltsfoot and thistle close.
• Other natural phenomena can predict the weather. The birds in the forest stopped singing - there will be bad weather. Mosquitoes hover in a heap - to cold weather, and if they squeak and sting, it will be rainy. If the smoke from the fire rises in a column - towards the bucket, spreads along the ground - there is bad weather. The spider arranges its web like a wheel - there will be clear, dry weather.

Many companions accompany the mushroom picker during the mushroom season: morning and evening dawns, fog and dew, flowers and plants, pine forests and birch forests. The main thing is to be attentive and observant in case the right direction is lost. It can be determined by the signs known to you.

These methods, in general, are inextricably linked with the sun and are based on the fact that the emitted sunlight vital not only for plants, but also for insects and other living creatures.

Orientation by insects.

Even insects can help in finding the right path. However, it should be noted that the accuracy of orientation in this case is low, and may even be incorrect due to various factors. Remember to always use multiple orientation methods, especially when using plants, insects or animals. And only by comparing many signs (and not relying on just one of them) can you begin to move; otherwise, you can worsen the situation even further.

By anthills.

You can determine the direction of the ants by paying attention to which side of something (tree, bush, stump, etc.) they built their home. Usually an anthill is built on the south side of the object! You can also notice that the side of the anthill facing south is flatter.

By the hives.

The same method applies to wild bees, who usually build their homes on the south side of trees; bees also fly out of the hive more often in a southerly direction.

Bird navigation.

On the flight of migratory birds.

In the spring they fly north, in the fall they fly south!

By birds' nests.

Also, some birds nest more often on certain sides of the world. Swallows nest near human dwellings, weaving nests under eaves on the north side. The Syrian nuthatch prefers rocks from the east. Three-toed gulls, on the other hand, like to settle in the west or north-west of the rocks. Woodpeckers and owls create nests from the south.

You can also determine the time by birds; more about this in the next article.

Orientation by trees.

By the bark.

From the north, the tree is usually darker, rougher (and according to some sources, moss and lichens grow most of all on this side, but not everything is so simple. According to others, moss and lichens grow where they like best, without being oriented at all to the sides) , while on the contrary the south has lighter bark and smoother bark. However, attention should first of all be paid to separately standing trees, then there will be less chance of making a mistake.

Vertical dark stripes on some trees (pine, less birch) occur due to uneven drying of the tree after rain, and are usually found exclusively on the north side. However, when exposed to wood, constant strong winds, the line on it may shift.

By annual rings.

You should find a stump and look at the location of the annual rings on the cut. On the south side, the growth of rings will be more noticeable. They will be wider than from the north!

By the foliage.

You should also consider the foliage, which will be more abundant on the south side, and the foxes themselves will be more vibrant.

For juice and resin.

In spring, you can navigate by the tree sap, which appears on the side of the tree where its movement is more intense, namely from the south.
More intense resin leaks (for example on pine trees) are also found on the south side.

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correct orientation is the norm for a mushroom picker

✎ Why are there rules for orientation in the forest?

Unfortunately, getting lost in the forest is much easier than getting out of it. And therefore, you need to be well prepared for a trip into the wild, then navigating and finding your way back will not be so difficult. First of all, when going on a mushroom hunting trip, you need to take a compass with you, making sure that it is in working order. When entering a forest belt, you need to remember which side of the horizon the compass needle pointed to, and when returning, move in the opposite direction. Well, in general, in order not to get lost, and at the same time not to “break the woods,” you need to know the basic rules of orientation in the forest.

✎ What are these rules of orientation in the forest?

When going on a mushroom hunting trip, you should not neglect the appropriate orientation equipment! This is the basic rule of visiting wildlife And most important rule in unmistakable orientation on the terrain.

I. Rules for orientation in the forest(using props):

• By compass.
  

  Orientation rule➫ the short (blue) arrow always points to the north, and the long (red) arrow always points to the south.

• According to the area map.
  

  Orientation rule➫ all necessary landmarks are marked on the map of the area.

What should you do if you don’t have a compass with you or it’s broken and you don’t have the necessary map? That’s when you need to know the cardinal directions and non-standard orientation rules.

II. Rules for orientation in the forest(based on indirect evidence):

• According to the Sun.
  

  Orientation rule➫ The sun appears in the east and sets in the west, and at 13:00 it is exactly on the southern side of the horizon.

• Downwind.
  

  Orientation rule➫ When entering the forest, you need to remember the direction of movement of the clouds and determine your movement.

• By anthills.
  

  Orientation rule➫ all ants place their “houses” near the tree and not as expected, but on the south side.

• On the moss on the trees.
  

  Orientation rule➫ moss and lichens on the trunks of all trees are much better developed on their northern side than on the southern side.

• Along the treetops.
  

  Orientation rule➫ For every tree, its crown is always developed much more intensively on the southern side.

• By annual rings.
  

  Orientation rule➫ annual rings on stumps are eccentric (or rounded-elongated) only on the south side.

• Along forest clearings.
  

  Orientation rule➫ all forest clearings, with few exceptions, are cut from west to east or from north to south.

But what to do if all this did not help and you still couldn’t get out of the forest wilds before dusk? Then you will have to learn extreme navigation and survival. And if you don’t have a compass with you, then only starry sky, Moon and Polar Star.

III. Rules for orientation in the forest(during the dark):

• By the Moon.
  

  Orientation rule➫ if the Moon is shining in the night sky, then with its help it is possible to establish the cardinal directions, because on a full moon the Moon is in the east - at 7 o'clock in the evening, in the west - at 7 o'clock in the morning, in the south - at 1 hour in advance midnight.

It happens that orientation by the Moon is almost the only way of orientation at night, for example, when there are clouds in the sky and only the unique position of the Moon, usually due to its brightness, allows one to determine the location.
If the phases of the moon are known, then determining the sides of the horizon will not be difficult. The crescent of the waxing month is located in the western part of the sky, the crescent of the waning month is in the eastern part. In the evening (at 19:00) the first quarter of the Moon is on the southern side of the horizon. IN morning time(at 07:00) the third quarter of the Moon is in the south. A full moon in the first hour of the day (after 00:00) it is also on the southern side of the sky.

Actually, orienteering on the Moon is not the easiest thing and it’s better to study this issue further (it definitely wouldn’t hurt) ...

• According to the North Star.
  

  Orientation rule➫ if the stars are shining in the sky, then you can see the North Star, and with its help you can also establish the sides of the horizon, because the North Star always points to the north.

The North Star can be detected if you know the constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. The constellation Ursa Major consists of 7 stars of varying sizes and in the shape of a large “bucket”.
If you draw a straight line through the 2 outermost stars of the “big bucket”, continuing it further, and measure 5 distances (5 segments) on it equal to the distance (segment) between the outermost stars of this big “bucket”, then you can detect a sufficiently bright star.
This is the same Polar Star, which is located in the constellation Ursa Minor, also consisting of 7 stars and, in shape, similar to the constellation Ursa Major, also in the form of a “bucket”, only smaller in size and turned in the opposite direction side. And the handle of this small “bucket” just ends with the North Star.

It is believed that the North Star is the most bright Star in the night sky, but this is not the case at all. It is, of course, brighter than most stars, but there are stars that are brighter, and the same planet Venus, which can easily be confused with a star, is much brighter than the North Star...

And in a good way, so as not to wander through the forest at night, not to break your legs and get bumps (after all, you can’t see a damn thing in the forest at night), and especially not to run into encounters with any wild forest inhabitants (even if not the most scary), the following rule for orientation in the forest would be appropriate:
It’s better to wait out the night in place, settling down for the night, and in the morning, with fresh strength, set off to look for a way out!

✎ Ways to navigate in the forest

When moving through a forest belt, you should carefully remember the most striking elements of the landscape, such as hills and ravines, ditches and clearings, streams and swamps. All this will help you find your way back home.
And yet, if you happen to get lost, then you need to listen carefully to the sounds coming from all sides. And, if you are lucky and you hear the noise of the road or a passing train, barking dogs, or the voices of people, then do not run there “as fast as you can.” Continue to move calmly, without rushing things, so as not to go astray. It should be taken into account that the sound of a passing train carries 10 kilometers from the railway, a car signal - 2 - 3 kilometers from the highway, and the screams of people and barking dogs - 1 - 1.5 kilometers .
Examples considered and given rules of orientation in the forest Far from being the only ones, nature also has many similar signs that an observant traveler can use.

✎ Conclusions and conclusions

We can say with great confidence that only the “pathfinder” who, before going into the forest, puts a compass in his pocket and a map of the area to which he is heading in his backpack is insured against any unpleasant situations. Those who have both can safely set out on a journey through unfamiliar places.
On any map, many clearly defined landmarks are marked in detail, for example, roads and railways, forest paths and clearings, rivers and lakes, many settlements and high-voltage transmission lines, and so on.
And, having identified such a landmark on the map, you can always find out your location and what path you need to travel to get to the final point of the route.
Many people consider electronic gadgets (smartphones, tablets, etc.) to be some kind of alternative to a map and compass. Yes, and this is partly true. However, it is worth remembering that any electronic “gadgets” have a limited service life, and they may be able to be recharged in the forest, but not for long!