Great explanation! In finding the directions using shadows, does the sun's movement from the northern hemisphere to the southern hemisphere and vice versa affect the procedure? On June 21st, the sun is said to be at the northernmost point. So, the shadow formation could have a slight bias in that direction. So, could this lead to changes in the finding of the directions?
Does the 15 minutes per finger estimate still hold up let's say if you're way up north during the winter? Since the sun marks a shallower arc in the sky during that time?
Great question! I have only been as far north as the southern border of the Northwest Territories in Canada, and it worked at that north latitude - any further north than that, I cannot definitively say yes or no because I do not have first-hand experience.
Yes, that would work in the morning sun. But I wanted to show some skills that didn't depend on any technology. A compass, watch, or GPS could all become damaged or lost, so this is a method you can use without relying on any of those things.