How to Find True North Without a Compass - WikiHow
Steps
The Shadow-Tip Method
1. Place a straight stick straight upright in the ground so that you can see its shadow. Alternately, you can use the shadow of a fixed object that is perpendicular to the ground. Nearly any object will work, but the taller the object is, the easier it will be to see the movement of its shadow, and the narrower the tip of the object is, the more accurate the reading will be. Make sure the shadow is cast on a level, brush-free spot.
2. Mark the tip of the shadow with a small object, such as a pebble, or a distinct scratch in the ground. Try to make the mark as small as possible so as to pinpoint the shadow's tip, but make sure you can identify the mark later.
3. Wait 10-15 minutes. The shadow will move aproximately from west to east in an arc which depends on your latitude and the season. (If you happen to be on the equator during one of the equinoxes, the shadow will move in a straight line.)
4. Mark the new position of the shadow's tip with another small object or scratch. It will likely move only a short distance.
5. Draw a straight line in the ground between the two marks. This is an east-west line.
6. Stand with the first mark (west) on your left, and the other (east) on your right. You are now facing aproximately toward true north. (Accuracy improves as your location approaches the equator, and as the time of year aproaches either equinox.)
