Determining cardinal directions by moss. Anthill navigation

Every fisherman needs an assistant, so in their work they use a bite alarm with their own hands; making it is not at all difficult. This device can report that a fish has touched the bait, and also suggests the most appropriate moment to hook. Today in specialized stores you can find a wide selection of such useful device, however, he is not always nearby at the right time. Therefore, it is better to familiarize yourself with how to make a bite alarm with your own hands.

1. How to make a visual alarm yourself?
2. Homemade sound devices

There are so many types of this device homemade option. Every experienced fisherman has his own.

They can be divided into the following models:

• pendulum;
• nodding;
• sound;
• electronic.

The first option is the simplest. It is made from twigs, lumps of clay, which are suspended near the end of the rod on the main line. However, this bite sensor has its drawback. So, they are silent, and the impact of clay (wood) quickly wears out the main line.

But the nodding device is considered the most perfect. It differs in that it reacts even if the smallest fish bites.

An audible bite alarm is necessary when fishing takes place not with one, but with several fishing rods. Such models can be very diverse. You can take a banal brass sleeve. But it can also be a more complex design.

If we talk about electronic signaling devices, these designs can also be different. They should be attached to the form in front of 1 or 2 rings.

However, the most the best option They are considered combined, which are capable of delivering not only a visual signal, sound, but also light.

In addition, it is recommended to always have several devices with you to respond to bites. For example, when it is windy outside, the rods should be positioned horizontally, this will reduce the air flow directly affecting the action of the blanks. In this case, it is the pendulum device that will work perfectly, which additionally needs to be equipped with a rattle. Then you can fish with several fishing rods.

Which devices are best to use should be decided depending on the fishing conditions, that is, individually for each specific case. In any case, the main thing to remember is that the alarms begin to react when the fish swallows the bait. Therefore, this weapon is considered simply irreplaceable.

How to make a visual alarm yourself?

Most fishermen use visual alarms to detect bites.

To build such models, you cannot do without:

• float;
• rod tip;
• additional beacon;
• firefly lighthouse (if fishing at night).

So, if it's decided homemade signaling device To make bites from a float, then for this you can use a cork, a feather from a large bird (for example, a goose), or a twig. These devices should be attached to the fishing line using an elastic band.

A nod made independently will signal inactive prey. Those made of springy metal wire have proven themselves well. A plate will also do. The nod should be attached with adhesive tape to the top of the rod. It should be noted that it is the nodding signal that is most often used.

Those who like to fish at night prefer bite alarms in the form of a firefly. This light option requires a soft polymer tube, which must be baited on the edge of the rod. Afterwards, a luminous type indicator is attached to the other side. If the tube and the mount are incompatible, clear adhesive tape will do the trick to secure them in place. If the firefly is needed for constant use, then it should be stored in the freezer.

The simplest device is a tube made of foil. You need to secure it to the fishing line. Such a model will change its position if the fishing line becomes taut. In addition, it will be clearly visible at night. However, this unit has a high windage capacity, so during windy conditions it is worth using another option.

Homemade sound devices

If a person has an ear for music, then he can easily determine which fishing rod was triggered by the bell. They are easy to make yourself. To do this, you will need a piece of metal pipe, where a tongue is placed inside, for which a bolt or nut is suitable. The mounting here will also be very simple. A clothespin works great for this.

Separately, it is worth highlighting the correct bell, which is distinguished by its fixation on the feeder. There are two methods of fastening.

1. Any household clamp is a simple and effective method.
2. Connecting a wire with a hook is the most reliable option.

You can easily make an audible bite alarm with your own hands using a bell. This option will be the most basic. Bells have different tones and vibrations.

Mechanical alarms are divided into several types:

• sensitive nod;
• monkey;
• swinger.

The method of constructing the nod was described above. This could be the tip of the rod or the float. Its operating principle is quite simple. So, when the fishing line is stretched, the nod begins to bend.

The monkey looks like a weight. It is also attached to the fishing line, and it is located among the reel and the input ring of the rod. The weight creates a slack in the fishing line. The fish begins to peck and this sag gradually decreases, which is why the monkey moves.

The swinger looks like a small plastic head with a clamp. It is fixed on a lever with a weight. Thus, mechanical devices are very simple, which is why they are so easy to make with your own hands.

So, the fishing line must be passed through a special hole in the corresponding device where the wheel is located. It will rotate and signal when the fishing line is pulled. The fisherman will receive a signal in the form of sound, vibration and light.

Why are these types of models in demand today? The fact is that you cannot move away from a mechanical tool, since you can miss the necessary moment. However, it is not always possible to constantly monitor the rod. An electric beacon will do this perfectly.

He doesn't need constant presence. There is a wide selection of these products in stores.

They can be:

• visual;
• sound;
• combined.

Of course, any angler is constantly improving his gear according to his own understanding and inclinations. At the same time, it is worth trying all the types of alarms that were given above, which react differently to a bite. Thanks to this, fishing will become a real creative process, even more exciting and interesting.

Their operating principle is the closing and opening of electrical circuits. To make the simplest version, you will need several parts. But it is important to follow some rules.

1. The keychain that is used as a basis must have a certain melody.
2. It is attached to the feeder, namely to its stand, but the contacts must be in a closed state.
3. They are brought out as two plates.
4. In the area where the coil and the first ring are located, a piece of plastic (1 mm thick) should be fixed.
5. The second end must be inserted among the output contacts.

It should be understood that important element For successful fishing, it is the signaling device. If you get acquainted with all the rules for its manufacture, you can quickly and easily build it with your own hands. Any model will be easy to use and effective.

How to navigate the forest without a compass

A real tourist is never lost, he is simply exploring new territory! But what do you do in an unfamiliar wilderness if you don't have a compass or GPS with you? There are a number of orientation methods that allow you to do without a compass and navigation devices.

Ways to navigate the terrain without a compass

There are different techniques for orienteering in the forest. Not all methods are accurate; it is advisable to determine the sides of the horizon using several of them at once (Figure 1).

The simplest and most common methods of orientation are:

Tree navigation

For more accurate orientation in the forest, it is advisable to take a closer look at several tree trunks, and not draw conclusions from one or two.

There are several ways to navigate the area using trees:

Orientation by mosses and lichens

One of the most well-known methods of orientation on the ground is by mosses and lichens. On the northern side of tree trunks and stones, moss grows more abundantly than on the southern side, due to the fact that the sun dries it less (Figure 3). Moss almost always grows on old stumps, which can also serve as a guide: although a stump may be covered with moss on all sides, it is wetter on the north side.

Figure 3. Moss grows on the north side of stumps and trees.

It is also worth paying attention to the soil around the stone: on the south side it is relatively dry, on the north it is more humid.

Orientation by anthill

Ants are heat-loving insects and you can navigate to the cardinal points thanks to the anthill. Ants usually build their colony on the south side of tree trunks. In order for the anthill to warm up better, the southern slope of the “ant house” is flatter than the northern one (Figure 4).

Figure 4. Considering the abundance of ants in our area, they are good to use for navigation

Orientation by temples and glade pillars

If you need to find your way around the area and you can see it not far away Orthodox Church– pay attention to the cross crowning the dome of the temple. The lower oblique (diagonal) crossbar of the cross points with its lower part to the south, and with its upper part to the north (Figure 5).

Orthodox churches are built strictly with orientation to the cardinal directions.

If you find a clearing in the forest and move along it, sometimes you can find a post with numbers indicating the number of the “square”. A cutting pillar can help determine the cardinal directions: numbers with lowest value pointing north.

Figure 5. Clearing pillars and Orthodox churches will also help you determine the direction

Orientation by the stars

Orientation by the stars is one of the most reliable options for determining the cardinal directions. At the same time, this method can be difficult for a beginner - not everyone can find the right constellation. The main thing is to find the North Star in the sky; it is not the brightest in the night sky, as many people believe.

Navigating by the stars takes some practice.

If you may need to determine the cardinal directions from the starry sky in the future, it is advisable to practice in familiar (not camping) conditions.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the North Star is always above the northern point of the horizon (the difference between the North Pole and the North Star is 1°), this makes it an indispensable “assistant” for orientation on the ground (Figure 6).

Figure 6. The North Star has been helping to determine direction for several hundred years.

In the starry sky you need to find a specific figure of 7 bright stars of the Ursa Major constellation, visually reminiscent of a ladle with a handle. 3 stars “form the handle”, 4 – the “capacity” of the bucket itself. It is necessary to speculatively connect 2 stars (Dubhe and Merak) located on the right edge (wall) of the bucket with a straight line. Next, continue the straight line (conditionally set aside 5 times the distance separating the mentioned Dubhe and Merak) to the star located on the edge on the represented “handle” of Ursa Minor (also a smaller “bucket” of 7 stars). This star is Polaris (always points exclusively to the north). The height of the star above the horizon coincides with the latitude of the observing person.

In the Southern Hemisphere, the starry sky is radically different from Northern Hemisphere. The main reference point for the cardinal directions in the Southern Hemisphere is the Southern Cross constellation (Figure 7), consisting of 5 bright stars. 4 stars are speculatively arranged in the shape of a cross. One of the conditional lines will exceed the second in length - one of the stars of the Southern Cross is observed further than the others, you get a kind of cross with a handle that needs to be visually extended 4 times and “drawn” vertically to the horizon line - the south has been found! If you wait for the moment when the Southern Cross stands vertically in the sky, then the handle will be directed strictly south. When observing, it is important not to mistake the False Cross (not pointing to the South Pole) for the Southern Cross.

Figure 7. Another assistant in the sky at night - the Southern Cross

You can also use the constellation Orion, which points to the east and west, for orientation by the stars. In practice, orientation by Orion is much more difficult than by the Southern Cross. 3 are used for orientation bright stars on the belt of the constellation: at the moment of sunrise they are directed to the east, at the moment of sunset - to the west.

Orientation by the moon

Navigating by the moon is quite difficult, and the accuracy is not very high. But sometimes this is the most affordable way. The moon is often visible even through dense cloud cover when the stars are not visible.

The moon goes through a series of phases of solar illumination:

1. New Moon – The Moon is virtually invisible.
2. First quarter – the right half of the Moon is illuminated.
3. Full moon - the entire disk of the moon is illuminated.
4. Last quarter – the left half of the Moon is illuminated (Figure 8).

If the crescent moon conventionally resembles the letter “P” - the Moon is growing (before the full moon, including the first quarter), if the letter “C” is aging (after the full moon, including the last quarter). Growing is more often observed in the evening, aging - in the morning. The full moon is the most favorable time for determining the directions of the horizon.

Figure 8. Moon phases

In the first 1/4 the Moon is approximately located:

• 19:00 – south;
• 1:00 – west;
• 7:00 – not visible.

During a full moon, the Moon is approximately located:

• 19:00 – east;
• 1:00 – south;
• 7:00 – west.

In the last 1/4 the Moon is approximately located:

• 19:00 – not visible;
• 1:00 – east;
• 7:00 – south.

You can also navigate with the help of a clock, just like by the daylight, but it is not the time of true noon that is determined (a person orients himself by the Sun), but the moment of the upper culmination. During the full moon this moment and local midnight coincide, orientation along the full disk of the Moon is carried out similarly to orientation along the Sun.

The problem is that it is impossible to speculatively determine whether the Moon is in the full moon phase.

For several days before and after the full moon, the appearance of the night star is almost unchanged, and the deviation, which is caused by an incorrect phase, can be very significant; the lunar disk shifts by 12° per day.

In 1/4, the Moon reaches its climax 6 hours before midnight, in the last 1/4 - 6 hours after local midnight. Since the 1/4 moment is visually determined easily, the orientation is performed more accurately.

Exists general rule to navigate with the help of the Moon, you need to speculatively divide the diameter of the night luminary into 12 parts and determine how many parts the unlit part of the Moon occupies - exactly how much will the time of culmination differ from the local midnight. The waxing moon culminates before 00:00, the aging moon - after.

The largest deviations at this method possible closer to the new moon and full moon. With some experience, the sides of the horizon can be determined with an error of up to 10-15°.

Sun orientation

In clear weather, you can navigate the area using a mechanical watch. The large hand of the clock must be turned so that it points directly at the sun. Afterwards, you need to visually draw the angle between the hand aimed at the sun and 13 o’clock (1 hour). Through a given acute angle we draw a bisector dividing the acute angle in half. We mentally imagine an arrow lying on this bisector; this arrow will point to the north. Before noon we divide the angle located before 13:00, after noon we divide the angle formed after 13:00 (Figure 9).

How to navigate by the cardinal directions if you are in the forest? and got the best answer

Answer from Condorita[guru]
I navigate in the forest by lichens (my grandfather taught me as a child), everything else is below

There are several ways to navigate in the forest without a compass:
along tree branches
along the rings on a cut tree
by lichens on stones and tree trunks
according to spring snow melting (if early spring)
by anthill
Along tree branches
If you look at the diagram, you can see that a free-standing tree has fewer branches on the north side. We stand facing north and determine the rest of the world.
Along the rings of a cut tree
On the cut of the stump you will see that the rings are located (displaced) to the north and extend to the south. We stand facing North and define South, East and West.
By lichens
If you look closely at the tree trunk, you can easily notice: there is more moss on the north side of the tree trunk. The same rule applies to stones - moss grows on the north side.
By spring melting snow
If you get lost in the forest in early spring, you should pay attention to the melting of the snow: on the north side the snow melts noticeably longer.
By the anthill
The most famous and popular method: the anthill has a gentle slope in the south - and a sharper, steeper slope in the north, just as anthills are usually located south of the tree.
Determining cardinal directions
If you turn to face the NORTH, then there will always be SOUTH behind, WEST on the left, EAST on the right. the bark of most trees is coarser on the north side, thinner, more elastic (birch is lighter) on the south;
in pine, the secondary (brown, cracked) bark on the north side rises higher along the trunk;
on the north side, trees, stones, wooden, tiled and slate roofs are covered earlier and more abundantly with lichens and fungi;
on coniferous trees, resin accumulates more abundantly on the south side;
anthills are located on the south side of trees, stumps and bushes; in addition, the southern slope of the anthills is gentle, and the northern slope is steep;
in spring, the grass cover is more developed on the northern edges of the clearings, warmed by the sun's rays; in the hot period of summer - on the southern, shaded ones;
berries and fruits acquire the color of maturity earlier (turn red, turn yellow) on the south side;
in summer, the soil near large stones, buildings, trees and bushes is drier on the south side, which can be determined by touch;
snow melts faster on southern slopes; as a result of thawing, notches are formed on the snow - “spikes” directed to the south;
in the mountains, oak often grows on the southern slopes. Other signs:
clearings in large forests are usually oriented in the north-south and west-east directions; the numbering of forest blocks in the USSR goes from west to east and further to the south;

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 in time by the sides of the horizon and geographical objects, and 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, there is no need to despair. There are many ways to navigate the terrain without this device and it’s worth getting to know them.

Tree navigation

If tourists find themselves without a compass in an unfamiliar forest area, they need to look carefully at the trees. In the south, the tree crown is more luxuriant and there are significantly more leaves. The densest branches in the dense forest develop here; the sun heats them better. The trees reach out for warmth with every leaf. In the north there are much fewer leaves and branches.

The method is not absolutely correct; allowances must be made for prevailing winds, moisture availability, soil types. It is more reliable to navigate along lonely growing trees than in a dense forest.

The bark on trees will tell you a lot when orienteering. Tree trunks from the south 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 resin. The secondary layer of dark, cracking bark on pine trees forms on the trunk from the north. After rain, the trunks of pine trees darken from the north and 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 form on the trunks of birch trees from the north. Birch is a very flexible, thin-trunked tree in young forests; the tilt of the trunk will indicate the direction of the prevailing winds.

You can navigate by the cut down stump; you just need to carefully examine the annual rings on it. Where the gaps between the 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 orientation assumptions.

In the forests along which the tourist routes pass, there are special signs, called tourist labeling. They are painted on the trunks along a planned route, always from the nearest populated area.

Orientation by mosses and lichens

moss on the tree

This is perhaps one of the most popular ways to navigate the area. The trunks of large trees in the forest, aspens, poplars, fir, and cedars from the north are covered with various lichens and mosses due to excess moisture. Even if the entire tree is overgrown with moss, from the north its thickets are denser and wetter. 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 cannot tolerate direct sunlight, bright light and intense heating. The soil north of the rocks feels wetter to the touch.

Orientation by anthill

Stump with anthill

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

Orientation by temples and glade pillars

Orthodox churches and Catholic churches are built oriented towards the cardinal points. Just look at the crosses located on Orthodox church, the lower part of the lower crossbar points to the south, the upper to the north.

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

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

Orientation by the sun and stars

To navigate by the Sun on a bright sunny day, you should wait until midday. 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 tourist’s shadow will indicate the direction to the north. The south will be behind the traveler. On his right hand will be the east direction, along left hand– Western.

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

Table: determining parts of the world by the sun

other methods

Forest inhabitants will help tourists navigate the terrain without a compass or map. The squirrel inhabits only hollows protected from the prevailing winds. Insect paths on tree trunks are often on the south side. Migratory birds fly north in the spring and south in the fall. In spring, the snow begins to melt on the southern slopes of hollows and ravines, and the grass here is subsequently thicker and taller. In summer, on hot days, there is lush grass on the northern side of buildings, stones, and forest edges. The soil is drier and berries ripen earlier on southern slopes.

Using a nail, a sewing needle, or a piece of wire, you can make a homemade tourist compass. At the same time, you need to understand that it will indicate magnetic pole and there will be a slight error. This piece of steel must be magnetized by rubbing it on wool. In one case, it can be tied on a long thread by the center of gravity, it will rotate 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 about orienteering without a compass, you should remember that you should not use one or two methods. Use your knowledge repeatedly, test it and if several observations are correct, the group will find the right direction.