Sun Stick Compass - The Only Correct Method

The internet is full of tutorials claiming that if you push a stick into the ground, mark the position of its shadow, then wait a while and mark the shadow again, a line between the two marks will point East–West.
It sounds convincing, but the truth is: it doesn’t work.

In this video we test the so-called “sun stick compass” method and show exactly what happens to the shadow as the Sun moves across the sky. You’ll see why the common demonstration gives misleading results, and why your East–West line could easily be wrong.
We’ll explain the science behind the shadow’s movement:
• why the tip of the shadow drifts west in the morning, reverses at solar noon, and then moves east in the afternoon,
• how solar altitude and azimuth affect the position of the shadow,
• and why simply joining two random shadow marks is not a reliable navigation method.
Then we’ll demonstrate the correct method, sometimes called the “equal shadow lengths” or “circle method.” This approach actually works, and it can be used:
• anywhere on Earth,
• on any day of the year,
• without needing a compass or watch.
If you’re interested in survival skills, bushcraft, navigation without a compass, or just understanding how the Sun and shadows really behave, this video will give you the clear explanation (and demonstration) you won’t usually see online.

The "search pattern" video mentioned in this video -    • Getting Un-Lost  and  NATO survival compass