Ways to navigate the terrain without a compass. Ways of orienting on the ground on the map and without, local natural features

There are recommendations in the literature for determining the sides of the horizon from the canopy of trees. But the indication that the crown of trees on the south side is more luxurious, and the growth rings of wood on the stump of a cut tree from the south are wider than from the north, is not always confirmed. The fact is that in a dense forest, trees cover neighboring trees located to the north of them with their shadow. Therefore, longer and thicker branches in the middle of the forest can be directed not only to the south, but also to the north, east, west, i.e., where there is more free space. In this regard, the annual growth of the next layer of wood is formed on the side from which the tree develops better. So, not necessarily on the south side. And if we also take into account the fact that the direction of winds and moisture constantly affect the development of the crown of trees, as well as the width of the growth of wood, then the conclusion is clear. But it may not be true for all regions of the country. An exception may be the North, where there is much less heat and light from the sun than moisture, and where trees develop better towards the south.

In the middle latitudes of a temperate climate, in particular on the territory of Ukraine, it is possible to determine the north-south direction only by trees standing in an open area. The sides of the horizon in the forest can be determined by the bark of trees. It must be remembered that the southern side of the trees, receiving more heat and light than the northern one, has a drier and lighter bark. This is especially noticeable in coniferous forests.

In addition, on the more illuminated side of the trees there are characteristic streaks and clots of resin, which retain a light amber color for a long time. It should be borne in mind that pine trunks are covered with a secondary crust. On the north side, this crust is formed much less frequently than on the south. And after the rain, the pine trunk turns black from the north. This is explained by the fact that the secondary crust, which forms on the shady side of the trunk and goes higher along it than along the southern one, swells and dries slowly during rain. This creates the impression of the black color of the northern side of the pine trunk. The sides of the horizon can also be determined by deciduous trees. So, the trunks of aspens, and especially poplars, are covered with moss and lichens from the north. And even if the lichen has grown all over the tree, then there is more of it on the north side, where it is more humid and dense. This is especially noticeable on the lower part of the trunk. And the bark of white birch on the south side is always whiter compared to the north side. Cracks and irregularities, outgrowths cover the birch from the north side. And given that the birch is very sensitive to winds, the slope of its trunk will also help you navigate in the forest.

To determine the sides of the horizon, you can use large stones and boulders. Their northern side is covered with lichens and moss, which do not like heat and light. Yes, and the soil near such a stone will help if there are no lichens and moss: the soil on the north side of such a stone is more humid than on the south.

Will help to navigate in the forest and its inhabitants. So, a squirrel arranges its dwelling only in hollows located on the opposite side of the prevailing winds. And anthills are located on the south side of a tree or stump. Moreover, its southern side is sloping, the northern one is steeper.

In spring, snow melts faster on the slopes of ravines, hollows, and depressions facing south. Grass in spring is higher and thicker on the south side of individual stones, buildings, forest edges, and in summer, with prolonged heat, it remains greener on the north side.

In the cultivated forest, clearings are cut along the lines: north-south, east-west. On the pillar at the intersections of the squares in the upper part of the figure - the numbering of the opposite square. The edge of the column between the two faces with the smallest numbers shows the direction to the north. The numbering of quarters in the CIS goes from west to east and further south. In large tracts of cultivated forest, it is possible to determine the sides of the horizon by clearings, which, as a rule, are cut strictly along the north-south and east-west lines, as well as by the inscriptions of block numbers on poles installed at the intersections of clearings. On each such pillar in its upper part and on each of the four faces, numbers are affixed - the numbering of the opposite quarters of the forest; the edge between the two faces with the smallest digits shows the north direction.

Essence and methods of orientation

When performing many combat missions, the actions of commanders are inevitably connected with orientation on the ground. The ability to navigate is necessary, for example, on a march, in battle, in reconnaissance to maintain the direction of movement, target designation, drawing landmarks, targets and other objects on a map (terrain map), control of a unit and fire. Knowledge and skills consolidated by experience in orientation help to more confidently and successfully perform combat missions in various combat conditions and on unfamiliar terrain.

Focus on the area- this means determining your location and directions to the sides of the horizon relative to the surrounding local objects and landforms, finding the indicated direction of movement and accurately maintaining it on the way. When orienting in a combat situation, the location of the subunit relative to its troops and enemy troops, the location of landmarks, the direction and depth of operations are also determined.

Essence of Orientation

The essence of orientation consists of three main elements:
- identification of the area where you are, according to its characteristic features and landmarks;
- determination of locations (one's own, observed targets and other objects of interest);
- finding and determining the necessary directions on the ground.

The most important task of orientation is finding and maintaining a given direction of movement in any situation: during a battle, in reconnaissance, when making a march.

All actions of the unit commander are inevitably related to orientation in the area. Without orientation, the setting of combat missions for subunits and fire weapons, target designation, mapping the results of reconnaissance of the enemy and the terrain, and control of subunits in the course of battle are inconceivable.

Orientation is based on the ability to select landmarks on the ground and use them as beacons indicating the desired directions, points and boundaries.

The study and memorization of an unfamiliar piece of terrain should always begin with the choice of three or four most noticeable landmarks. Gotta remember them well. appearance and mutual position, so that in the future it would be possible to identify the area at any point and determine your location. When moving, landmarks are chosen in the direction of the path, sequentially marking them as they enter new areas.

Orientation on the ground can be general and detailed.

General orientation It consists in an approximate determination of one's location, direction of movement and the time required to reach the final destination of movement. Such orientation is most often used on the march, when the vehicle crew does not have a map, but uses only a pre-compiled scheme or list. settlements and other landmarks along the route. In order to maintain the direction of movement in this case, it is necessary to constantly monitor the time of movement, the distance traveled, determined by the speedometer of the car, and control the passage of settlements and other landmarks according to the scheme (list).

detailed orientation is to accurately determine its location and direction of movement. It is used when orienting on a map, aerial photographs, ground navigation devices, when moving in azimuth, drawing explored objects and targets on a map or diagram, when determining achieved milestones, and in other cases.
When orienting on the ground, the simplest methods of orientation are widely used: using a compass, celestial bodies and signs of local objects, as well as a more complex method - orienting on a map.

Ways of orientation on the ground

Ways of orientation are ways of using various techniques of orienteering on the ground and various technical means and local objects.

You can navigate the area in various ways:
- on the map;
- using a compass;
- by heavenly bodies;
- on local subjects (on signs of local subjects).

Unit commanders are guided mainly by the map. From it, they determine their location, identify surrounding local objects and terrain elements, and establish the location of observed targets and other objects.

Soldiers and sergeants have to navigate mainly by landmarks and with the help of a compass. To get to the desired point, the commander indicates to them the azimuth of the direction of movement and landmarks along the route of movement. This data is usually prepared by the unit commander using a map.

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 on the sides of the horizon and geographical objects in time, 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, do not despair. There are many ways to navigate the terrain without this device and it is worth getting to know them.

tree orientation

If tourists find themselves without a compass in an unfamiliar forest area, you need to look carefully at the trees. From the south, the crown of trees is more magnificent and the leaves are much larger. Here the densest branches develop in a dense forest, the sun warms them better. Trees with every leaf are drawn to the heat. There are much fewer leaves and branches from the north.

The method is not absolutely correct, it is necessary to make allowances for the prevailing winds, the presence of moisture, soil types. It is safer to navigate through lonely growing trees than in a dense forest.

The bark on the trees will tell a lot when orienting. From the south, tree trunks 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 oleoresin-resin. A secondary layer of dark cracking bark on pines forms on the trunk from the north. After rain, pine trunks darken from the north, dry out more slowly due to lack of sunlight.

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 are formed on birch trunks from the north. Birch is a very flexible thin-stemmed tree in young forests; it will tell you the direction of the prevailing winds by tilting the trunk.

You can navigate by a sawn stump, you just need to carefully examine the annual rings on it. Where the gaps between 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 orienteering assumptions.

In the forests along which hiking trails pass, there are special signs called tourist markings. They are applied with paint on the trunks along the planned route, always from the side of the nearest settlement.

Moss and lichen orientation

moss on the tree

This is perhaps one of the most popular ways to navigate the terrain. The trunks of 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 whole tree is overgrown with moss, from the north its thickets are denser and more humid. 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 do not tolerate direct sunlight, bright light and intense heat. The soil from the north of the stones is more moist to the touch.

Orientation on the ground on the anthill

Stump with anthill

Anthills are built by insects in the south of the 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, there is a gentle long slope near the anthill. The steep slope of the anthill always faces north. Paths of heat-loving ants run from the south side of the anthill.

Orientation on temples and pillars of clearings

Orthodox churches, Catholic churches are built oriented to the cardinal points. It is enough to look at the crosses located on the Orthodox church, the lower part of the lower crossbar points to the south, the upper one to the north.

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

If, if necessary, you can find a clearing in the forest, you should find a pillar with bright numbers on it. They will point tourists to the square number of the topographic map of the area. The smallest digits of the clearing column will point to the north.

Orientation by sun and stars

In order to orient yourself by the Sun on a bright sunny day, you should wait half a day. 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 shadow of the tourist will indicate the direction to the north. Behind the traveler will be the south. On his right hand will be the east direction, on his left hand - the west.

In the off-season, in spring and autumn days, the sun will rise strictly in the east, set in the west. At noon in any season, the luminary is in the south and every shadow will point 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 student can find the stars of Ursa Major and Ursa Minor in the sky. But although theoretically tourists may know that the North Star is the terminal one on the tail of Ursa Minor, finding it can be quite difficult. The advice to find two terminal stars in Ursa Major and mentally continue the line connecting them to the bright Polaris can help with this. Standing facing her, the tourist will look to the north.

Table: determination of parts of the world by the sun

other methods

The inhabitants of the forest will help the tourist to navigate the terrain without a compass and a map. The squirrel lives only in hollows, protected from the prevailing winds. Paths of insects on tree trunks are more often on the south side. Migratory birds fly north in spring and south in autumn. In spring, the snow begins to melt on the southern slopes of the hollows and ravines; the grass here subsequently becomes thicker and taller. In summer, on hot days, juicy grass on the north side of buildings, stones, forest edges. The soil is drier and the berries ripen earlier on the southern slopes.

With the help of a carnation, a sewing needle, a piece of wire, you can make a homemade tourist compass. At the same time, one must 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 against wool. In one case, it can be tied up on a long thread for the center of gravity, it will turn 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 of orienteering without a compass, it should be remembered that you should not use one or two methods. Use your knowledge repeatedly, test it and if a few observations are correct, the group will find the right direction.

Orientation on the map. Simple, accessible and understandable.

Date: 2010-04-16

Orientation on the map. The basic concepts are necessary for everyone who is going on a hike, a trip or just to the forest for mushrooms. I myself know a lot, including military topography. After thinking a little, I did not write, but simply tore it from a textbook on topography for soldiers. Warriors have always been able to explain, so that it will reach everyone.

The following methods are used to orientate the map.

1. Orientation of the map along the lines of the terrain. In this case, you need to go to the road (clearing, river bank or other line), find it on the map and then rotate the map until the direction of the road (lines) on the map matches the direction of the road (lines) on the ground, then check so that the objects located to the right and left of the road (line) on the ground are on the same sides as on the map.

2. Orientation of the map by compass is used mainly in areas that are difficult to navigate (in the forest, in the desert, in the tundra), as well as in poor visibility. Under these conditions, the compass determines the direction to the north, and then the map is turned (directed) with the upper side of the frame towards the north so that the vertical line of the coordinate grid of the map coincides with the longitudinal axis of the magnetic needle of the compass.


The compass map can be oriented more precisely by taking into account the declination of the magnetic needle. To do this, you need to additionally rotate it so that the northern end of the magnetic needle deviates from the stroke 0 ° of the compass scale by the direction correction value indicated in the lower left corner of this map sheet.

Should be remembered that the compass cannot be used near iron objects, military equipment and power lines, as they cause the magnetic needle to deviate.

It is easier to determine the point of your standing on the map when you are on the ground near the landmark (local object) depicted on the map.
In this case, the location symbol will match the stop point.

If there are no such landmarks at the point of standing on the ground, then it can be determined in one of the following ways :

1. By nearby local subjects (relief). To do this, it is necessary to orient the map and identify 1-2 local objects on it and, accordingly, on the ground, visually determine your location on the ground relative to these objects, and also visually outline your standing point on the map.

2. Distance measurement. Moving along the road (along a clearing in the forest or another line on the ground) indicated on the map, measure in pairs of steps (according to the speedometer of the car) the distance traveled from the nearest landmark. To determine the point of your standing, it is enough just to set aside the measured (traversed) distance on the scale on the map in the right direction.

3. Serifs. When driving along the road (along the clearing, along the telegraph line), one can determine one's location by local objects located on the sides of the road. To do this, orient the map in the direction of the road and identify some landmark on it and on the ground. Then attach a ruler or pencil to the selected landmark on the map and, without knocking down the orientation of the map, rotate the ruler around the symbol of the landmark until its direction coincides with the direction of the landmark. The place where the ruler crosses the road will be the standing point.

When driving off-road, when the standing point is not marked on the map, it can be determined by a resection in two or three directions. To do this, you need to select 2-3 landmarks on the map and on the ground. Then orient the map according to the compass and, similarly to the previous method, provide and draw along the direction ruler for each of the selected landmarks. The intersection of the drawn lines will be the standing point.

Orientation on the ground on the map using a magnetic compass is the main and most widely used way of orienting. Although modern navigation equipment plays an ever-increasing role, it is impossible to effectively use this equipment without a topographic map. Based on the map, the initial data for working with this equipment is prepared, and the progress along the route is monitored.
Thus, the topographic map was and remains the commander's reliable guide to unfamiliar terrain. Knowledge and skills consolidated by experience in orienteering on the map help to more confidently and successfully perform combat missions in various combat conditions.
Orientation on the ground consists in determining the directions to the sides of the horizon and its location, relative to the surrounding local objects and landforms and in maintaining a given or selected route of movement, as well as in determining the location of landmarks on the ground, the lines of friendly and enemy troops, engineering structures and other objects.
Local objects and landforms, relative to which they determine their location, the position of targets (objects) and indicate the direction of movement, are called landmarks. They are usually distinguished by their shape, color and are easily identified when reviewing the surrounding area.
Landmarks are divided into areal, linear and point.
Areal landmarks occupy a large area. These include settlements, lakes, swamps, large forests, etc. They are easily recognized and remembered when studying the area.
Linear landmarks are local objects and landforms that have a large extent with a relatively their small width, for example: roads, rivers, canals, power lines, narrow hollows, etc. They are used most often to maintain the direction of movement.
Point landmarks - tower-type buildings, road intersections, bridges, overpasses, factory and factory chimneys, mountain peaks, pits and other local objects occupying a small area. They are usually used to accurately determine their location, the position of targets, indicate sectors (lanes) of fire, and observe.
When choosing landmarks, it is necessary to take into account the conditions under which the subunits will operate on the ground.
Orientation on the ground can be general and detailed (accurate).
General orientation is to approximately determine your location, direction of movement and the time required to reach the final destination of the route. Such orientation is most often carried out by the commanders of small units according to pre-compiled schemes or lists of settlements and other landmarks along the route.
detailed orientation It consists in accurately determining on the map your location and direction of movement. Commanders who have maps or aerial photographs always carry out detailed orientation in a combat situation, which makes it possible to carry out accurate target designation and control units and fire,
When orienting on the ground, it is important to be able to quickly and fairly accurately determine the sides of the horizon, measure the distances to landmarks and the angles of directions on them on the ground and on the map, and prepare data on the map for movement in azimuths.
Data preparation and movement along azimuths

Movement along azimuths is the main way of orienting in terrain that is poor in landmarks, especially at night and with limited visibility. Its essence lies in maintaining on the ground the directions given by magnetic azimuths, and the distances determined on the map between the turning points of the intended route. The directions of movement are maintained using a magnetic compass or a gyro semi-compass, distances are measured in steps or by a speedometer.
The initial data for movement in azimuths (magnetic azimuths and distances) are determined on the map, and the time of movement is determined according to the standard and drawn up in the form of a diagram or entered in a table. Data in this form is issued to crew commanders who do not have topographic maps. If the commander has his own work map, then the initial data for movement in azimuths are drawn up directly on the work map.
The route of movement in azimuths is chosen taking into account the terrain, its protective and camouflage properties, so that it provides a quick and covert exit to the specified point in a combat situation. The route usually includes roads, clearings and other linear landmarks that make it easier to maintain the direction of movement. Turning points are chosen from landmarks that are easily identifiable on the ground (for example, tower-type buildings, road intersections, bridges, overpasses, geodetic points, etc.).
It has been empirically established that the distances between landmarks at the turning points of the route should not exceed 1 km when driving during the day on foot, and when driving a car and maintaining directions using a gyro-semi-compass - 6-10 km. For movement at night, landmarks are marked along the route more often.
In order to provide a secret exit to the specified point, the route is planned along hollows, vegetation massifs and other objects that provide movement masking. It is necessary to avoid movement on the ridges of hills and open areas. An example route selection is shown in Fig. 3.2.
The distances between the landmarks chosen on the route at the turning points are measured in straight lines using a measuring compass and linear scale or perhaps more accurately, a ruler with millimeter divisions. If the route is planned along a hilly (mountainous) area, then a relief correction is introduced into the distances measured on the map.
Determining the magnetic azimuths of the directions of movement along the route between the turning points is the most difficult and critical stage of work, since even a small error in the azimuth leads to a deviation from the turning point on the ground.

DIRECTIONAL ANGLES AND AZIMUTHS

Directional angle - angle A, measured clockwise from 0 to 360° between the north direction of the vertical grid line and the direction to the object being determined
(Fig. 24).
Directional angles of directions are measured mainly on the map or determined by magnetic azimuths.
True azimuth-angle A, measured clockwise from 0 to 360 ° between the north direction of the true (geographic) meridian and the direction to the point being determined (Fig. 24). The values ​​of the true azimuth and directional angle differ from one another by the amount of convergence of the meridians.
convergence of meridians corner f(Fig. 24) between the northern direction of the true meridian of a given point and the vertical
Directional angle and convergence of meridians
grid line (or a line parallel to it). The convergence of the meridians is measured from the north direction of the true meridian to the north direction of the vertical line. For points located to the east of the middle meridian of the zone, the convergence value is positive, and for points located to the west, it is negative,
The value of convergence of meridians on the axial meridian of the zone is equal to zero and increases with the distance from the middle meridian of the zone and from the equator; its maximum value will be near the poles and does not exceed 3°.
The convergence of meridians, indicated on topographic maps, refers to the middle (central) point of the sheet; its value within a map sheet at a scale of 100,000 in middle latitudes may differ by 10-15 from the value indicated on the map.
Magnetic azimuth is the angle measured clockwise from 0 to 360° between the north direction of the magnetic measures of the diana (the direction of the steady magnetic needle of the compass or compass) and direction to the defined object.
magnet azimuths measured on the ground with a compass or bussolio, and are also determined by the map according to the measured directional corners.
Declination of the magnetic needle (magnetic declination) - a goal between the true (geographic) and magnetic meridians
The magnitude of the declination of the magnetic needle is subject to daily, annual and secular fluctuations, as well as temporal perturbations under to her st and m of magnetic storms. The magnitude of the declination of the magnetic needle and its annual changes are shown on topographic and special maps. In areas of magnetic anomalies, the amplitude of fluctuations in the magnitude of the inclination of the magnetic needle is usually indicated.
The declination of the magnetic needle to the east is considered east (positive), and to the west is considered western (negative). Transfer from directional the angle to the magnetic azimuth to the back is produced in various ways; all the necessary data for this is available on each sheet of the map at a scale of 1,25,000–1,200,000 in a special text help and a graphical diagram placed in the margins of the sheet in the lower left corner. Transition through the direction correction. The text help placed on the maps indicates the value (in degrees and divisions of the goniometer) and the sign of the correction for the transition from the direct angle to the magnetic azimuth. For example, in the help given in Fig. 25, it says: "Correction for directional angle when going to magnetic azimuth plus (0-16)". Therefore, if the directional angle of the direction is equal to 18-00 cases. arc., then the magnetic azimuth will be equal to 18-16 divisions. ang.
In the reverse transition, i.e., when determining the directional angle from the magnetic azimuth, the sign of the correction is reversed and it is introduced into the magnetic azimuth. For example, if the magnetic azimuth is 10-00, then the directional angle of this direction for this map (Fig. 25) is 9-84 (10-00-0-16).
Transitional graphic scheme (Fig. 26). The diagram shows the approximate direction to the object and, in accordance with the position of the vertical line of the coordinate grid and the magnetic meridian line, increase or decrease the initial angle by the correction indicated in brackets on the diagram.
Formula jump. The relationship between the directional angle II magnetic azimuth of the same direction is expressed by the formula
A^=a- b + h, where Aa is the magnetic azimuth;
a - direction angle;
5 - declination of the magnetic needle;
f— convergence of dia ov measures.
This is the basic initial formula for the transition from the directional angle to the magnetic azimuth and vice versa. It is used mainly when it is necessary to take into account the annual change in the declination of the magnetic needle.
The transition from the directional angle to the magnetic azimuth, taking into account the annual change in the declination of the magnetic needle. First determine the declination of the magnetic needle for a given time. To do this, the annual change in the declination of the magnetic needle is multiplied by the number of years that have elapsed since the creation of the map, and the resulting value is algebraically summed with the value of the declination of the magnetic needle given on the map. Then the transition from the directional angle to the magnetic azimuth is made according to the main formula.
An example of the transition from a directional angle equal to 120°30" to the magnetic azimuth of this direction for 1972 (initial data taken from Fig. 25).
1. Determination of the magnitude of the change in the declination of the magnetic needle over 7 years (1972-1965): D=0°05", 2X7=0°36".
2. Calculation of the declination of the magnetic needle for 1972: b = -3°10 "+0°36" = -2°34".
3. Transition from the directional angle to the magnetic "azimuth" according to the main formula (see above)
A m = 120°3(U— (—2°34")+ (—2° 12") = 120°52".
Orientation on the map on the spot
When orienting on the ground, the map is first oriented, a standing point is found on it, and then the map is compared with the surrounding area and the orientation is correct. On the terrain, where there are many characteristic landmarks, they often first determine the point of their standing, and then orient the map, compare it with the terrain,
Map orientation. When the map knows its location, it is oriented, as a rule, along some linear landmark or direction to a remote landmark, reliably identified on the ground and on the map. If the standing point is unknown, the map is oriented along the sides of the horizon, determined by a compass or in some other way. A map is considered oriented if its upper side of the frame is facing north, and the linear landmarks on the map are parallel to the corresponding landmarks on the ground.
Depending on the task being solved, the map is oriented approximately - by eye or exactly - with the help of a compass, a ruler.
When orienting the map along a linear landmark, it is rotated in a horizontal plane so that the image of this landmark on the map coincides with its direction on the ground, and the objects located to the right and left of the linear landmark on the ground are on the same sides on the map.
In the direction of the landmark, the map is oriented in this order. First, a ruler (or pencil) is applied to the standing point and a conventional landmark on the map and, sighting along the ruler
(pencil) are rotated with the map so that the selected landmark is on the line of sight.
When orienting the map according to the compass, first set the direction correction value, then apply the compass to any vertical grid line so that it passes through the North-South indicators, and rotate the map until the northern end of the magnetic needle coincides with the correction value (+11 °) (Fig. 3.6). With a negative correction value, the arrow should deviate from the coordinate line to the left.
The map can be oriented approximately along the sides of the horizon, previously determined by the celestial
luminaries or signs of local objects.
Determination of the standing point. The standing point on the map can be determined by the nearest landmarks by eye, by measuring the distance, by landmarks, by the Bolotov method, by reverse directional angles. When choosing a method, the conditions of the combat situation, the nature of the terrain, and also the accuracy with which it is necessary to determine the standing point. By the nearest landmarks by eye, they determine their location on the map most often. If the standing point is located next to any local object depicted on the map, then the location of the symbol of this object will coincide with the desired standing point. Their location on the map is determined by the direction relative to the nearest landmarks and the distance to them.
By measuring distances, they determine their location on the map, usually when driving along a road or along some linear landmark. At the starting point, they record the reading on the speedometer of the car and start moving. When determining your location, you should put on the map the distance traveled from the starting point to the stopping point. If the movement is made on foot or on skis, the distance traveled is measured in steps or determined by the time of movement.
By serif by landmarks, the standing point can be determined under the condition good review terrain and the presence on it of local objects and landforms that can serve as reliable reference points. The resection is performed along a lateral reference point or along two or three reference points (reverse resection). Bolotov's method is as follows. Using a tower goniometer or another method, such as a compass, measure the horizontal angles between three landmarks selected around the standing point and clearly depicted on the map. Then, corners are built on a transparent tracing paper (stencil) with a point applied arbitrarily, taken as a standing point. Then they put a tracing paper (wax) on the map so that each direction drawn on it passes through the conventional sign of the landmark on which it is drawn. Having combined all the directions with the conventional signs of landmarks corresponding to them, they pin onto the map the point indicated on the sheet of paper at which the directions are built. This point will be the standing point. In a combat situation, when it is impossible to work with a map on the ground openly, the standing point can be determined by the reverse directional angles (Fig. 3.11). In this case, the compass measures the magnetic azimuths of the directions to the landmarks, converts them into reverse azimuths, and then into the directional angles of the directions. The directional angles are plotted at the corresponding landmarks and drawn on the direction map until they intersect with each other. The intersection point of these directions will be the standing point.
When determining the standing point by any method, serifs choose directions so that they intersect at an angle of at least 30 ° and not more than 150 °.
Positioning on the move
Orientation in motion consists in maintaining a given or planned route and constantly fixing mentally or graphically your location on the map.
Their location on the map is determined in motion, usually visually by the nearest landmarks. Remote landmarks are used, if necessary, to determine the standing point (at short stops) by serifs. When there are few landmarks or visibility is limited, the location is determined by the distance traveled from the original
point or a landmark reliably identified on the route, which is read on the scale of the speedometer of the car and put on the map. This method is most often used when driving on roads or along some linear landmarks.
Confident orientation on the ground in motion largely depends on the correct choice of the scale of the map, its appropriate preparation and adherence to a certain order of work on it on the way.
It is easier to navigate in motion on a medium-scale map, on which all the main objects of the area are displayed with sufficient completeness. Working with a large-scale map at high speed is much more difficult than with a medium-scale map. So, for example, at a speed of 50 km/h, a car travels about 800 m in one minute. and there is no need.
When selecting a map for orientation, the conditions of the combat situation, the nature of the route and the surrounding area are taken into account. If a march is being made in anticipation of an oncoming battle, then a 1:100,000 scale map should be used. This map provides reliable orientation in medium rough terrain, as well as when the route is laid on roads of various classes. In the event of an oncoming battle, it allows you to control the actions of units and fire.
google_protectAndRun("ads_core.google_render_ad", google_handleError, google_render_ad); google_protectAndRun("ads_core.google_render_ad", google_handleError, google_render_ad); A 1:200,000 scale map is used for orientation when an oncoming battle is unlikely, and the route passes along paved roads. This map is more convenient for orientation in open areas, where there are few landmarks (desert, steppe). In such areas, a 1:200,000 scale map displays all local objects that can be used as landmarks. Ease of use lies in the fact that when orienting you can quickly study the surrounding area and identify landmarks at a great distance from the route of movement visually. In addition, the number of sheets of this map for the same area will be significantly less compared to a map of a larger scale. It shows distances between large objects.
When orienting along the route of movement in the mountains, wooded and swampy areas, when the march is carried out mainly along dirt roads, where the speed of movement is low, you should use a map at a scale of 1: 50000. This map is also used for orientation in areas with a well-developed road network, since individual dirt roads in such areas are not shown on maps at a scale of 1:100,000 and 1:200,000. A 1:50000 scale map provides reliable orientation in cities and large settlements.
At preparation of the map for orientation it is especially important to understand its scale, that is, to clearly understand what distance on the ground corresponds to a certain segment on the map. This element of the evaluation of the map is an important condition for its rapid comparison with the terrain.
The route is usually laid on paved roads. Depending on the situation, preference should be given to the option of the route, in which there are fewer large settlements, bridges, dams and dams, since they can be destroyed or mined. When planning traffic on dirt roads, special attention should be paid to their condition in case of inclement weather. The conditions of orientation along the route of movement are evaluated taking into account possible changes in the terrain.
The planned route rises on the map as a solid brown line. The line is drawn from the south or east side of the route. In order not to obscure the main landmarks along the route, a solid line in such places is interrupted. Column paths and bypasses of difficult sections on the route rise on the map as a broken line.
Simultaneously with the rise of the route, control landmarks are outlined, which are selected after 5 - 10 km. They are circled in brown. If there are few landmarks, then it is advisable to highlight them by increasing the symbol or shading, achieving greater readability of the landmarks on the map. Such landmarks serve to control the correctness of the route.
In populated areas, settlements, bridges, railway crossings, etc. can serve as reference points. In all cases, reference points are marked at turns and exits to another road. Landmarks here are, as a rule, crossroads or forks in the road.
Route length measured on the map, taking into account the increase for sinuosity and the nature of the relief. The final result is signed at the corresponding landmarks with an increasing total from the starting point. Later, during the movement, these data are used to control the correctness of the movement, comparing them with the distances that are read from the speedometer. On the map intended for march planning, ten-kilometer sections along the route are additionally marked.
At learning the route, raised on the map, the nature of roads, intersections, forks, their relative position are established. If time permits, it is necessary to study and remember not only the route, but also the terrain along the route in the 3-4 km band, paying special attention to the probable detours of destroyed objects and difficult sections.
Preliminary preparation of the map is very important for accurate orientation on the ground and maintaining the route. If the conditions of the situation do not allow you to fully prepare the map and study the route in detail, then first of all you should raise the route on the map, and at the first opportunity, outline landmarks and determine the distances to them.
When orienting on my way an indispensable condition for the correct maintenance of the direction of movement is the continuity of orientation. At the starting point, the speedometer reading is taken and added in turn to each distance signed on the map at the reference points. The results obtained must correspond to the speedometer readings when the car approaches a particular landmark. They are inscribed on the map at the landmarks under the measured distances (in the denominator). In addition, before the start of movement, directions to the sides of the horizon are determined and the time of the start of movement is recorded on the map at the starting point.
On the way, the map is kept all the time oriented in the direction of travel. With each turn of the car, the map is also rotated by the corresponding angle. If the movement is off-road, the map is oriented according to local objects and landforms. They carefully observe the terrain, identify local objects, and mentally record their progress along the route.
When driving in an armored personnel carrier (tank), it is much more difficult to observe the terrain than when driving a car or on foot. Therefore, it is necessary to refer to the speedometer readings more often, postponing the distances read from it on the map. In such cases, the driver is tasked with reporting when the speedometer reading approaches the value recorded on the map at the reference point to which the car is approaching.
While driving, be sure to refer to the map when approaching an intersection or a fork in the road. In a timely manner (for 200-500 m) they indicate to the driver the landmark and the direction of further movement.
When bypassing areas of fires, blockages, floods and areas of contamination of the terrain, it is necessary, first of all, to accurately determine your location on the map and record the speedometer reading, outline the path to avoid obstacles and pick up on the map the landmarks that you will meet along the way. If the situation allows, it is advisable to bypass obstacles by clearings, along rivers, streams, power lines and other linear landmarks, having previously determined the magnetic azimuths of their directions on the map. In this case, it will be easy to control the direction of movement by compass.
There are many road signs on paved roads (motorways, highways). In a combat situation, when orienting, these signs must be used very carefully: the enemy can rearrange them or replace them with other signs with false inscriptions.
Along with local objects, to control the movement along the route, relief elements should be used: characteristic heights and ridges, hollows, ravines, cliffs, gullies. This is especially important when driving on terrain where there has been a lot of change, as local items can be destroyed or recreated, while the main landforms remain unchanged.
At the slightest doubt about the correctness of the movement in all cases, it is necessary to clarify your location by carefully comparing the map with the terrain. If it is not possible to do this on the move, you should stop and restore orientation.
Orientation is considered lost if there are no objects marked on the map on the ground and they cannot determine their location on the map. Cases of deviation from the route and loss of landmarks usually occur due to poor skills in orienteering or careless orientation, when they cease to continuously monitor progress along route.
When restoring orientation, first of all, determine the directions to the sides of the horizon (by compass, celestial bodies or signs of local objects), then orient the map and carefully compare it with the terrain. If it is not possible to find a standing point on the map, the orientation is restored, depending on the situation, by one of the following methods.

1. The compass measures the magnetic azimuth of the direction of movement, and the map measures the magnetic azimuth of the route in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bprobable location. Azimuths are compared, make sure that the direction of movement is maintained. On the map, they lay down along the route the distance traveled from the last reliably identified reference point, read from the speedometer, carefully study the area around the marked point and determine their location by characteristic linear and area landmarks.
2. When the previously measured azimuths of the route raised on the map and the directions of the actual movement differ slightly (6-10 °), and the standing point determined by the measured distance cannot be identified on the map, a linear landmark (railway, river, road with paved, power line, etc.) passing perpendicular to the general direction of the route, record the speedometer reading and continue to move to the intended linear landmark. At a linear landmark, make sure that the azimuth of its direction on the ground corresponds to the measured azimuth of the direction of the symbol of this landmark shown on the map. Then, comparing the map with the terrain, they determine their location and plan an exit to the route or directly to the destination.
3. When deviating from the route, the likely area of ​​\u200b\u200bits location can be determined graphically on the map.
4. In a forest area, when movement is made without roads or along a road not marked on the map, orientation is restored using linear landmarks. For example, a unit, moving along a forest road not marked on the map, has reached a forest clearing. Based on the distance traveled, the commander determined the likely location of the unit. The map in this area shows several glades similar to each other. The measured magnetic azimuth of the direction of the clearing, which the unit entered, turned out to be 10 °. There are three such glades, elongated in the direction along the azimuth of 10°. After a careful study of the terrain on the map, the commander found that one of the clearings is located in a hollow (Fig. 3.14), the other is located in a saddle, and the third is on a flat area of ​​the terrain. These features of the location of the glades on the relief made it possible to quickly understand the situation and determine their location (standing point - T.S.) in a clearing in the saddle,

Features of orientation in various conditions
At night It is more difficult to navigate the terrain than during the day. Many local objects become difficult to distinguish, distances to landmarks seem greater than during the day. The view of the area is limited.
In order to confidently navigate the march at night, careful preliminary preparation is necessary. Checkpoints along the route are planned more often (after 3 - 6 km). Local objects projected against the sky (for example, tower-type buildings, chimneys of plants and factories, churches, repeaters), as well as local objects located directly along the route (bridges, overpasses, road junctions, railway crossings, etc.) P.). The entire route is divided into straight sections. In each such area
determine and record the magnetic azimuth of its direction. In areas where there are many landmarks, magnetic azimuths are determined for areas where orientation is difficult. The sensitivity of the compass and the correctness of the speedometer readings are checked in advance, for which the car (armored personnel carrier) passes a flat section 2-3 km long. The compass is considered fit for use if two readings obtained at the same position differ from each other by no more than 3 °. The planned route is carefully studied and remembered in order to refer to the map as rarely as possible.
Actions on the way while maintaining the route at night are similar to actions during daylight hours. The driver is warned in advance about landmarks ahead, turns and distances to them. It is recommended to illuminate the map on the way with a flashlight with a blue light filter. Such lighting does not dazzle, so it is important to simultaneously work with the map and monitor the area. The direction of movement off the road is maintained by a compass or a gyro semi-compass, and the distance traveled is determined by the speedometer. However, at the same time, vision is greatly strained, fatigue increases, and the identification of local objects along the route worsens. At night, the direction of movement can also be maintained according to the heavenly bodies. When orienting by the Moon or constellation, it should be remembered that all of them, with the exception of the North Star, move in the sky. For example, if the position of the Moon is taken as the general direction of the march, then after one hour the route will deviate from the intended one by 15 ° to the right, since the Moon moves 15 ° clockwise in one hour.
In conditions of limited visibility. Limited visibility is usually understood as the optical visibility of surrounding objects in the area in fog, smoke, rain, snowfall, blizzard and heavy dustiness of the air. Conditions of limited visibility are often identified with night darkness, although there are specific differences between them. At night, illumination devices, night visibility and radio communications are used for orientation. However, masking smoke, dust clouds, rain, snow sharply reduce the capabilities of these devices. Various particles moving at high speed (dust, sand, snow, etc.) cause the electrification of antennas, which creates major interference in radio communications. In modern combat, limited visibility can occur at any time of the year or day, especially when the enemy uses nuclear weapons, when thick and significant dust clouds arise, and extensive smoke zones are created during fires.
In anticipation of the occurrence of limited visibility, the route is prepared in the same way as for movement at night, if the march is made on paved roads. Off-road marches are made along azimuths previously taken from the map. The route is carefully studied and remembered. In motion, the map is oriented in the direction of travel and continuously graphically (with dots or transverse dashes) fixes its location on the route.
In the mountains orientation is complicated by the deep dissection of the relief, which forces one to often change the direction of movement. The vertices chosen as landmarks change their outlines dramatically - if you look at them from different sides. The distances due to the transparency of the air appear to be smaller than in reality.
In order to confidently navigate the mountains and control units on the march and in battle, it is very important to study the terrain well and remember the location of the main valleys, ridges and outstanding peaks.
Movement in mountainous areas is usually carried out along roads and paths in mountain passes and through passes, along streams and rivers in deep valleys. As landmarks along the planned route, prominent peaks, saddles, cliffs, rocks, screes, as well as all local objects (settlements, individual buildings, bridges, etc.) are chosen, they are quite rare in the mountains and therefore are well identified.
When moving along the valley, ravines (the confluence of two valleys), cliffs, narrow narrowings of the valley and various local objects can serve as landmarks.
In the mountains, before starting to move, one should mark some kind of auxiliary landmark, visible from many points on the route. Such a landmark can be the highest peak, a prominent ledge of the ridge, or a heavenly body. Using an auxiliary landmark, you can always check the correct direction of movement.
If the direction of movement does not coincide with a linear landmark, then it is maintained according to an auxiliary landmark and a compass. At the same time, you should use the compass with caution, since local areas with magnetic anomalies are often found in the mountains.

When orienting in mountainous areas, it is useful to know the signs by which you can approximately determine the sides of the horizon. On large stones, the shady (northern) side is usually densely covered with moss and lichens. In summer, the soil on the south side of the stones is drier than on the north (the difference is easily noticeable to the touch). In forested mountainous regions on the southern slopes, mainly pine grows, oak is found, beech and spruce grow on the northern slopes.
In the forest, orientation is difficult due to limited visibility and a small number of landmarks. Routes pass most often along dirt roads and clearings. Usually such roads are not well traveled, some of them are not shown on the map, as they are temporary.
When preparing a map, it is advisable to determine and write out the magnetic azimuths of the directions of each section of the route between control landmarks. When studying the route, special attention should be paid to the relief and hydrography. The movement along the route is controlled by the distance traveled, read from the speedometer scale.
In the forest there are many local signs by which it is possible to determine directions to the sides of the horizon. The bark of most trees is rougher on the north side, thinner, more elastic (lighter in birch) - on the south. With careful observation, you can quickly determine the direction to the north by trees, stumps, forest clearings, intersections of clearings. Auxiliary landmarks for maintaining the general direction in the forest are the Sun during the day, and the Moon or some constellation at night.
In a desert It is difficult to navigate due to the monotony of the surrounding landscape. Local items are rare. The relief is predominantly flat or slightly hilly, its forms are inexpressive.
Routes are laid along rare roads, trails, caravan routes, which are often lost among the sands and vegetation. Only a slight depression in the ground and greener vegetation along these depressions sometimes indicate their location. On the plains of the steppes and deserts, you can move off-road in any direction. Under these conditions, the ability to move accurately in azimuth is required.
The main landmarks in the desert are mounds, takyrs, wells, dry riverbeds, oases, and ruins. Under favorable visibility conditions, many of them are visible from afar.
When preparing a map, data is simultaneously prepared for movement in azimuths along the entire route. On the way, control over maintaining the general direction of movement is carried out according to auxiliary landmarks - celestial bodies. In some cases, the direction of movement is maintained along the cars following behind or along the tracks of one’s car, if the movement is straight, as well as the location of dunes, dunes and ripples on the sand, which depends on the direction of the prevailing wind and is almost constant for a given area.
In a large town orientation becomes more difficult due to limited visibility. Routes are planned along the main roads with the minimum number turns, and turns are chosen in places where there are noticeable landmarks (bridges, overpasses, industrial enterprises, parks, tall buildings, churches, etc.). It is advisable to lay the route in the city along a linear landmark (a canal, along a river embankment). Before entering the city, you need to accurately determine your location, and when moving through the settlement, graphically record the progress along the route on the map. When leaving the settlement, if the number of roads on the ground and the map does not match, and there are difficulties in determining the desired road, the direction of further movement is set by a compass according to the magnetic azimuth of the road, determined from the map.
In areas of destruction orientation on the map is dramatically complicated due to its inconsistency with the terrain. The most reliable orientation in such cases is provided by the use of navigation equipment of combat and command and staff vehicles.
When choosing a route in anticipation of possible destruction on the ground, the conditions for orienteering are predicted. The most stable landmarks are the main landforms depicted on maps as contour lines (peaks, saddles, hollows, ridges). Erosive relief forms (gullies, cliffs, recesses, etc.) are easily destroyed during nuclear explosions and will be difficult to identify when comparing the map with the terrain. The position of rivers, streams, lakes is connected with the terrain. The riverbeds practically do not change their outlines, however, when
The destruction of hydraulic structures causes temporary flooding of large areas of the area. Sustainable benchmarks are also car roads paved and railways, although their canvas may be destroyed.
When orienting in a heavily changed terrain, it is advisable to use fresh large-scale aerial photographs, which will record the changes that have occurred on the terrain.
In order to confidently maintain a given direction of movement in areas of mass destruction, fires, it is very important to be able to read fluently topographic map and have keen powers of observation, identifying their location on the map by the remains of destroyed objects.
When entering the destruction zone, the magnetic azimuth of the direction of movement and the reading on the speedometer should be measured and recorded. At all major turns when driving in the zone, this operation is repeated. If necessary, using this data, you can restore your location on the map.
in winter as a result of snow drifts, the relief forms are smoothed out. Landmarks such as ravines, hollows, gullies, gullies, ditches, pits, dirt roads, streams, small lakes with a deep snow cover are almost not visible. Often in winter, new roads (winter roads) are laid, which pass through the shortest distances and are not displayed on maps. All this greatly complicates orientation.
In winter, routes are usually laid along well-trodden roads or columned paths. When driving without roads on skis, the direction is maintained according to the compass, and on a combat vehicle - according to the gyro-semi-compass. During the day, in open areas, ski or car tracks are used to check the direction of movement. Good landmarks in winter, especially at night, are settlements, hard-surfaced railways and roads, forest edges, individual groves, bridges across wide rivers, and other areal and linear landmarks.
Topographic orientation requirements
In a combat situation, commanders are required not only to be able to quickly and accurately navigate the terrain themselves, but also to ensure the orientation of the personnel of subordinate units.
Topographic orientation precedes tactical orientation and is an important primary stage in the commander's work in organizing combat operations on the ground. Topographic orientation contributes to the rapid and correct understanding by subordinates of the location of landmarks, targets, lines, and their combat missions.
When orienting the commanders of subordinate and attached subunits on reconnaissance, they first announce the time, point to the terrain side of the horizon in the direction of action or to the north on some local object, name the square of the map grid in which they are located, indicate their standing point relative to the nearest landmark, indicated on the map. Then indicate directions to the surrounding local objects within a radius of 10-15 km (observed and unobserved) and the distances to them. Directions indicate relative to their position facing the enemy (to the right, straight, left or on the sides of the horizon), time - local or operational, not coded name of objects - on the map. After that, landmarks are assigned from right to left and in the direction of the enemy and show on the ground the line of contact between friendly troops and enemy troops or the lines reached by friendly subunits and enemy troops.
Selection and use of landmarks. Well-observed local objects and landforms are chosen as landmarks. The number of landmarks should be small (4-7). One of the landmarks is usually assigned in the direction of advance or in the center of the lane. All landmarks assigned by the senior commander are obligatory for subordinates, their numbers do not change. In the course of the offensive, as we move forward, new landmarks are selected. For ease of remembering and finding on the ground, landmarks are usually given conditional names.
When operating at night, in the desert and other conditions that are difficult to navigate, the means of the senior commander are staging art
landmarks and designation of traffic routes with special signs. The direction of action of the subunits is indicated, under favorable weather conditions, by firing torches of luminous bombs, periodically turning on searchlights, firing tracer projectiles (bullets), and in some cases by creating fires in the depths of the enemy's defenses.
In combat, when commands are transmitted by radio, the numbers of landmarks and the conditional names of local objects are transmitted in plain text. Concerning landmarks, other terrain objects and targets are also indicated.
In conditions that are difficult to navigate, subunit commanders use specially trained soldiers (azimuters) to maintain the direction of movement of subunits. During the battle, the azimuths are with the commanders and observe the direction of the offensive (march) and the location of their units.

Since ancient times, a solar landmark has helped a person find the right side of the world, go to the intended point of any area, and not get lost in natural conditions without any navigation devices. Today, in the same way, in order to correctly lay the planned route and not go astray, orientation by the sun will help.

It would seem that everyone knows how to correctly and simply determine east and west: the sun rises and sets on these sides of the horizon. But, this is not entirely accurate. In order to correctly determine the desired direction, it is necessary to take into account your location - the Southern Hemisphere or the Northern Hemisphere, since the place of sunrise and sunset in which you can navigate varies. So, in the Northern Hemisphere, the luminary rises in the east and sets in the west only on March 21 and September 23, these are the days of the spring and autumn equinoxes. After March 21, the place of sunrise moves closer to the north, and on the day of the summer solstice (June 21) it rises in the northeast and sets in the northwest, because on this day the north pole is closest to the planet Sun. When the winter season approaches, the luminary sets closer to the south; on the day of the winter solstice (December 22), sunrise occurs in the southeast, and sunset in the southwest. Accordingly, with regards to the Southern Hemisphere, sunrise and sunset occur exactly the opposite with respect to the Northern.

If you don't have a mechanical watch handy, you can use a natural "dial".

Ways to navigate the terrain by the sun: using a watch

There are various ways to navigate by the sun. One of the most accurate is orientation in the terrain with the help of a mechanical clock (you need to position them horizontally in the terrain). It is known that at noon, i.e. when the hour hand shows 12 o'clock, the sun is in the south. During the time that the hour hand makes two revolutions on the dial, the sun makes one in the sky. This will help you navigate when looking for a southerly direction. A simple calculation shows that for the same period of time the luminary is displaced by an angle half that of the hour hand.

Thus, if we lay a bisector pointing to the luminary between the clock hand and the division equal to 12 hours, then this twelve-hour mark, as before, will indicate the south direction. The position of the sun before noon should be calculated on the dial on the left side, after noon - on the right. Daylight savings time should be taken into account when orienting by the clock, i.e. the error is approximately 10 degrees: in summer, the number 1 is taken as the basis for the calculation, and in winter, division by the number 2. If the sun is very bright, some object that gives a shadow, for example, a match, will help you navigate the clock.

If only an electronic watch is at hand, they can be used in the same way as mechanical ones, only you have to draw a dial on the screen. At the same time, you need to know about the location of the sun (this applies to the Northern Hemisphere) at about 7 o'clock in the morning in the east, 1 o'clock in the south, 19 o'clock in the west. With this knowledge, all intermediate directions can be determined.

This method is most effective when used in middle and northern latitudes, especially in winter. In spring and autumn, it is less accurate, and in summer it is better not to use it due to the fact that the sun is too high, which leads to large calculation errors (25 degrees or more).

Orientation on the terrain by the sun: sundial

If you don't have a mechanical watch handy, you can use a natural "dial". The method consists in determining the cardinal points by the shadow cast from a linear object. If there is no time to wait for the solar move, you can use a faster version of this method:

1. To do this, you need to insert a stick into the ground so that it casts a clear shadow.
2. Mark the first mark on the ground where the shadow of the stick ends.
3. After about 20 minutes, the shadow will move some distance, this will be the location for the second mark.
4. It is necessary to connect the two resulting labels with a straight line, this will turn out the east-west axis. A high stick determines the direction more accurately.
5. It is necessary to stand in such a way that the first mark is on the left and the second on the right. Thus, you will face exactly north, the east direction will be on the right, and the west direction will be on the left. This concerns the definition of the sides of the northern hemisphere. In the southern hemisphere, the shadow will point south, the west will be on the left, and the east on the right.

Orientation on the ground by the sun

The second version of this method is more accurate, but it can be used if you have more time. Observation begins before the luminary enters the zenith:

1. A long stick is inserted into the ground, as in the first case, the first mark is made.
2. A rope is stretched between the base of the pole and the first mark, starting from this mark, a semicircle is drawn on the ground.
3. While the sun will rise, the time is approaching noon, the shadow from the stick will become shorter and shorter, moving away from the border of the outlined arc. The shadow moves in an easterly direction. When the sun crosses the zenith, the shadow from the stick will begin to grow until it again touches the drawn arc. This place should be marked with a second label.
4. Both marks are connected by a straight line, and in order to determine the north direction, you need to stand in the same position, similar to the previous described option.

The easiest way, by analogy with the above methods, is as follows: you need to stand with your back at exactly noon to the direction of sunlight, spread your arms to the right and left. The falling shadow will indicate the north direction, the south will be behind, on the right hand - the east, on the left hand - the west. Do not forget that, in the southern hemisphere, the falling shadow, on the contrary, indicates the southern direction.

Solar orientation in cloudy weather

Orientation on the terrain by the sun is possible even in cloudy weather. It is carried out with the help of shadows that cast objects in the summer even in the absence of sunlight. This method allows you to determine the east-west line.

It is necessary to stick a long stick (about forty centimeters) into the ground so that it does not cast a shadow: this means that its top points to the sun. Next, you need to wait until it starts casting a shadow again, and, as the shadow moves, lay out the pebbles where the end of the stick on the ground indicated. Thus, it turns out that the shadow will move from west to east, from the first stone placed to the second. The north-south line is determined perpendicular to the west-east line.

Orientation by the sun is possible even after its sunset: on summer nights, relative to the northern latitudes, from a close location to the horizon of the sun that has set, the northern side of the sky becomes lighter, and the southern side becomes darker.

Despite the apparent complexity, the methods of orienting the terrain relative to the daylight allow, without breaking away from the campaign, to determine the correct direction relative to the cardinal points, familiar objects, and also to determine one's own location relative to settlements or familiar landmarks. It is only necessary to take into account the correctness of the calculations, as well as daylight savings time.