Which Way Are We Looking? Bramble Leaf Edition
I took the photo above in the south of England recently. What Direction Are We Looking? Answer below. ANSWER… We are looking… NORTH. Leaves orient…
Tag: tracks
What are the vertical marks and scars on tree bark?
An explanation for some of the mysterious vertical marks and scars we find on trees.
How to Find Your Way Using Horse Dung
For thousands of years humans have been riding horses (possibly as much as 5,500 years). This of course means that horse tracks and dung can…
Wayfinding with Weld – Reseda luteola
Weld (Reseda luteola) is a tall, hairless biennial plant found on dry ground. It grows up to 1.5m tall and has green-yellow flowers. It thrives…
Under Every Footstep
A guest blog by Catherine Speakman (Tess of the Vale) History seeps into the soil with the fall of every leaf. All over the world…
Sign of a Barefoot Runner
My thanks to Tim Crook for his very interesting emails and for permission to share here. Hi Tristan You suggested getting in touch if we…
Snow Tells Tales About Trails
There are many different kinds of snow, as the Inuit know only too well. You are probably familiar with how easy it is to track…
The Meaning of Missing Moss
Moss is important in natural navigation, but not the quick easy method that many seem to think. I’ve written about the challenge of using moss…
Paths Are Stories
Study the picture above. Can you read the story? My thanks to Kate Shaw for sending me the photos above and below that help tell…
The Smile Path
A Smile Path is a short curved detour around an obstacle or problem. Unlike desire lines or paths, smile paths are not shortcuts, they very…
Great Mullein Marks Roads
Cracking email in from Canada… Hi Tristan Excellent newsletter, thanks very much! Just thought I would mention something I noticed while out in the Hills…
Nettle-Leaved Bellflower – Campanula trachelium
The Nettle-leaved bellflower, Campanula trachelium, is found in low-level calcareous woodland, flowering from June to September. It needs some disturbance to the soil to thrive.…
Tracking Tractors
Was this tractor heading towards us or away from us? Spoiler Alert 🙂 Tractors gain more traction with a ‘backwards’ herring-bone tread on their tyres.…
How to Navigate Using Snow Strips
As is my habit at this time of year, I like to get out early after any overnight snow. The tracking opportunities are spoiling and…
The Wayfaring Tree – Viburnum lantana
As its name suggests, the wayfaring-tree (Viburnum lantana) is a sign, if you aren’t already aware, that you are on or near a path. It…
Shortcut Clues in the Clwydian Range
I had a bit of fun on a short walk in the beautiful Clwydian Range of hills recently, using a very simple technique that hovers…
Outdoor Clues Photos
A huge thanks to Neil Mapes for sending in these lovely winter photos of outdoor clues, inspired by The Walker’s Guide to Outdoor Clues &…
The Glamour… The Romance… The Mud…
There are those that suspect the Natural Navigator’s life to consist of lying on the teak deck of a yacht musing about celestial bodies. It…