Quick Answer
If your headlamp battery dies at night, stay calm and use the last few seconds of light to find a safe place to rest, then use the stars or a moon compass to navigate, or wait for morning to begin traveling again.
Finding a Safe Place to Rest
When your headlamp dies, quickly scan your surroundings for a safe place to rest. Look for features like a group of trees, a rock outcropping, or a depression in the ground that can provide natural protection from the elements. If it’s cold, find a spot with some wind protection or a natural windbreak, such as a group of trees. If it’s hot, try to find a spot with some shade.
Using the Stars for Navigation
Once you’ve found a safe place to rest, use the stars to get your bearings. Locate the North Star (Polaris) by finding the Big Dipper and drawing an imaginary line through the two stars at the end of the “bowl.” The North Star will be located about 30 degrees away from the two stars, and it will be aligned with the North Pole. From the North Star, you can use the Southern Cross to estimate your direction of travel. By using the stars, you can estimate your location and direction within a 10-20 degree margin of error.
Waiting for Morning
If you’re in a safe location, such as a campsite or a trail, you can wait for morning to begin traveling again. Bring all of your gear close to you to keep it from getting lost or damaged, and try to get some rest. If you’re in a survival situation, consider starting a fire to stay warm and signal for help, but be careful not to exhaust your energy reserves. When morning arrives, use your compass and map to get your bearings and begin traveling again.
Find more answers
Browse the full Q&A library by topic, or jump back to the topic this question belongs to.