How to Find Coordinates Using Clock Faces

You can approximate coordinates, even without a compass.

A compass is an invaluable tool for travelling in the wilderness. However, few people regularly carry a compass at all times. In the event you need to orient yourself without a compass, you can use an analog watch and the Sun to roughly approximate the north-south line. It's not precise, but it works excellently in urban environments.

Things You'll Need

• Analog watch

Instructions

1. Determine the location of the Sun.

2. Hold your watch horizontally and point the hour hand to the Sun. If you are in the Southern Hemisphere, point the 12 o'clock mark to the Sun.

3. Split the angle between the hour hand and 12 o'clock to provide the north-south line. The line between 12 and the hour hand will be south in the Northern Hemisphere, and north in the Southern Hemisphere.

Tips & Warnings

• If it is cloudy, note the position of your shadow to determine the Sun's position.

• During daylight savings time, use one o'clock instead of 12.

• This method increases in accuracy with distance from the equator.

• This is not precise enough for map coordinates; do not rely on this method for anything other than rough orientation.

References

• One Bag: Packing List-Compass
• The Inquiry Net: The Birch Bark Roll: Watch Compass