When neither the sun, nor the moon, nor the stars are visible, and no compass is available, there are still natural clues to help you orient yourself.
In this article, discover 3 complementary techniques to navigate using the environment, trees, or even the prevailing wind.
1. Read the vegetation and humidity
In the Northern Hemisphere, south-facing slopes receive more sunlight: they are often drier, more open, and the snow melts faster there in winter.
Conversely, the northern slopes are more humid, shaded, and sometimes still snowy in summer. These differences can help you identify your approximate orientation.
2. Observe the trunks and stumps of trees
The growth rings of trees are generally thicker on the sun-exposed side (towards the south in the Northern Hemisphere).
If you find a freshly cut stump, examine the rings: the wider side indicates the direction of south, the opposite indicates north.
This is a good way to check or cross-reference other natural indicators.
3. Use the dominant wind direction
In some regions, the winds predominantly blow in one direction. If you know that the prevailing winds come, for example, from the west, the branches, grasses, and sandy formations can help you verify this.
This does not provide a perfect reference, but combined with other signs, it allows you to reconstruct a reliable orientation.
Conclusion
Even without modern tools, nature offers many reference points for orientation.
By learning to read the signs in vegetation, reliefs, or trees, you gain autonomy and safety, even in the most extreme conditions.
