Moss Points North

Which way is North?

It is common knowledge that moss usually points to the North, but what do you do if you see a rock like this? This rock has moss on three sides (all four actually, but I didn’t get the closest side in the picture). The top of the picture is actually North in this example, but it seems the East side has the most moss. There is a plant shading the right side of this particular rock, which is why this has happened.

Moss loves to grow in cool, dark places. Here in the Northern Hemisphere, the North side of trees and rocks are usually the coolest and darkest. This is because the Sun is located at the Equator, so light starts South and moves North. The Southern part of any tree, rock, or mountain is generally going to have the most light. Below is a my artistic representation.

Next time you are lost outdoors and you see a mossy rock, don’t make the assumption that the moss leads to the North. Take a look around. Are there any other factors influencing the amount of light your rock gets? Maybe the moss is taking advantage of a deep crack or a sheltering sand bank. Look around for isolated rocks or trees with moss, as the moss can only use the shelter from that object. Better yet, bring a map and compass!