Trekking LAB

Probably, in your life, you’ve done and you’ll do only simply walks to relax your mind.
However, I’ll suggest you eight ways to orienteering in your hikes:

1. Sun: it rise on East and go down on West, at noon it is on South. This is a simple way but is perfect only in the spring equinox ant fall equinox, however it can give you an idea of where you are.
2. Moon: for them, in the Italian version of this post I’ve used a carol, I don’t know if exists something similar in English, however you have to remember that if moon is waxing the light side is pointing to West, if moon is waning the light side is pointing to East. OK, but how can I understand if is waxing or waning? Using likeness between letters and moon shape you can use the acronym “DOC“, “D” is the waxing Moon; “O” the Full Moon; and “C” the waning Moon. (thanks to Wikipedia for the acronym)
3. Stars: I suggest you a link where to find useful information on how to find the North Star
4. Moss: usually it grows on the North side of trees log an cliffs
5. Snow: it start to melt on the South/West side of mountains
6. Stick: place it in the ground in a way that sun don’t create shadow, after an half hour the shadow will appear and it will indicate the East
7. Parabolic Antenna: if you find a mountain hut with a parabolic antenna you know that the antenna is directed to South (13 degrees to East)
8. Compass: no doubt, it is the better and surer way!

This methods are not valid in the southern hemisphere, I suppose that all has to be inverted, have you any suggestion? Have you any other method to propose?

UPDATE: Tom Mangan has given us a tip:

Satellites generally orbit above the equator, so dishes in the southern hemisphere will point north.

Otto metodi d’orientamento