Luckily, the National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) keeps up-to date records of global declination values. At the NGDC website, you can enter your current location to receive the most recent declination value available for your area. [1] X Research source
Note, of course, that declination changes over time, so old maps can quickly become out of date. [2] X Research source For the most accurate values, use the most recently-published map available.
Most modern compasses have a needle that is half red and half white. In this case, the red end of the needle is the north-pointing end.
Note that this magnetic north, not true north — we still need to adjust for declination.
For example, let’s say that we originally obtained a declination value of 14o E for the area we’re in. If we’re facing towards magnetic north, we would turn our bezel 14o to the east (clockwise, in this case). Then, we would turn to the left (which is west) to line up the needle with the orienting arrow, leaving us facing at true north (14o west of magnetic north).
One way to get a “north” reading that’s a little more accurate is to use a stick as a sort of sundial. Plant a stick or pole that’s a few feet high in the ground and mark the tip of its shadow on the ground. Wait about 15 minutes, then mark its new location. Stand with your left foot on the first mark and your right foot on the second. You will be facing more or less towards true north regardless of the declination where you are.
For instance, let’s say it’s 4:00 PM. The midpoint between 4:00 and 12:00 is 2:00, so if we point the hour hand toward the sun, the north-south axis will be a little less than a quarter turn to our left. Since it’s in the afternoon and the sun is setting in the west, we can infer that north will be behind us if we face toward the 2:00 marker. Don’t forget to compensate for Daylight Savings Time! If your watch is adjusted for DST, use the 1:00 marking rather than the 12:00 marking and proceed as normal.
Moss: May be thicker on the south sides of trees due to more sunlight. Trees: Bark may be duller-colored and branches may stretch higher toward the sky on the north side due to less sunlight. Ants: Ant hills may tend to be on the southern side of natural features where the sun is warmer. Snow: Snow may melt faster on the southern side of trees and rocks where it receives more sunlight.
Unfortunately, Polaris can’t be seen from the Southern hemisphere, so it’s only useful for navigation north of the equator. [4] X Research source
If the moon is a crescent, you can also mentally draw a line through the horns of its crescent to the horizon to find south, then face away from this to find north. This works best when the moon is high in the sky.
This means that, while you’ll still want to keep the sun on your right just after sunrise and on your left just after sunset to face north, you’ll want to face towards it to find north at noon.
For instance, if it’s 6:00 PM, we would get a north-south axis running through the 3:00 and 9:00 markings on our watch. Since it’s the evening, we know that the sun is in the western half of the sky. Thus, when we point the 12:00 marking at the sun, the 3:00 will point roughly towards true north.
The easiest way to find the Southern Cross is to use the Pointers — two bright stars in the southern sky that point directly at it. The Pointers can be found in the white, splotchy streak that is the Milky Way, which is often visible in locations with little or no light pollution.
