~*~ Glossary of Terms ~*~
Welcome
to “hiker-speak for non-backpacking types”. Most all of these terms have been
used on my website so I thought it would be good for those who aren’t familiar
with them to have a place to figure it all out. Some are
2,000 Miler – One who has hiked the entire length of
the
Ankle-buster – A section of trail loaded up with
small, unstable rocks. Or, the state of
AT –
Bail Out – To stop, whether permanent or temporary, one’s hike, often
due to illness, injury or weather conditions.
Bear-bagging – The art of suspending a food bag in
order to protect it from bears and/or other wildlife. Ideally, the bear-bag
should be on a sturdy branch at least 12-15’ from the ground and 4-6’ from the
tree trunk.
Blowdown – A tree or shrub that has fallen across
the trail, making it an adventure to navigate.
Blue blaze – Blue colored blazes used to identify
other trails, side trails to views, water, shelters or campsites.
Blue-blazer – a hiker who does not intend to pass
every white blaze.
Bounce box – Box containing items needed for
re-supply and/or items that are only needed in trail towns such as extra
batteries, town clothes, toiletries, that you “bounce” ahead by sending it to
yourself from on trail town to your next intended stop.
Bushwhack – Hiking where there is no trail.
Cairn – Man-made pile of stones used to mark in the trail where
there is no blaze, often times above treeline.
Camel up – Drinking all the water you can at a source in order to
minimize the amount of water you are carrying. (One liter of water weighs two
pounds).
Cat hole – A hole you dig in the ground 6-8 inches deep in order to
deposit solid human waste. Should be at least 200 feet from any water source,
camp and trail. Cat hole should be covered and hidden.
Crest – top of the mountain or hill.
Croo – paid staff at an Appalachian Mountain Club
Hut. Cook breakfast and dinner for guests staying at the shelter.
False summit – A high point that seems to be the
summit until you get close enough to see that you are not yet done climbing.
Often the cause of the multiple “final pushes” as mentioned next.
Final Push – the last part of a days hike, usually
up hill, and usually there are more than one of them.
Flip-flop – To hike a section of the trail in one
direction, then go ahead by vehicle and hike back in the opposite direction
until you get to where the hike left off. Sometimes used to
beat bad weather at Katahdin.
Free-standing Tent – A tent that is designed to have
structural integrity without stakes. These are particularly useful in sites with tent platforms.
I wouldn’t recommend leaving an un-staked out tent in the middle of a wind
storm though.
Gusher – A strong source of water with a good flow.
Half-Gallon Challenge – An attempt to eat an entire half gallon
of ice cream in a single sitting.
Usually attempted at the country store in Pine Grove Furnace,
Hiker box – Typically a box or bin in a hostel,
shelter or outfitter.
Hikers leave what they don’t want and take what they do. Oatmeal and ramen
commonly seen in these things!
Hiker Feed – prearranged picnics/BBQs that are intended
to treat hikers.
HYOH (Hike Your Own Hike) – You are hiking your hike, let others
hike theirs. Being respectful of how people choose to hike, whether purist (hit
every white blaze) or a blue-blazer (taking side trails).
Leave No Trace (LNT) – Backwoods ethics that promote minimal
impact camping and hiking. Pack out what you pack in!
Maildrop – Food and/or sundry resupplies
sent via USPS, UPS or other carries to a town that you are going to be stopping
in.
Mouse-Hangers – Also known as “mouse trapezes,” these
are lengths of string, line or wire on which an empty can or can lid is strung.
One end is attached to the shelter ceiling, and you hang your food bag from the
other end. The lid or can is intended to prevent mice from crawling down the
line and getting to your food. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t. But,
the mice really seem to enjoy them, so, what the hell, why not use them!
MUDs – Mindless ups and downs.
Postholing – Hiking through deep snow that is not frozen
solidly enough to support your weight and allows your leg to drive through the
crust as if you’ve stepped into a hole, doing really nasty things to your knees
and shins.
Privy – Outdoor toilet typically over a pit. Usually found at most
shelters along the A.T.
PUDs – Pointless ups and downs.
Purist – A hiker who makes a point to hike past every single white
blaze and/or carry a backpack for the entire distance. No slackpacking
or blue-blazing allowed for these folks!
Relo – Section of the trail that has been
relocated. The Trail is moved from time to time for various reasons, such as
avoiding development, taking it off roads, allwing
eroded pathways to heal, reducing erosion, and making the route more scenic.
Ridgerunner – A person that is paid
to hike and oversee a specific section of the trail. Where can I get that job?
Scrambling – Climbing up and over larger
rocks/boulders, often using both hands to pull one’s
self up. Typically very steep sections
of the trail…and LOTS of fun!
Scree – An accumulation of loose stones or
rocky debris lying on a slope or at the base of a hill or cliff.
Slackpack – Hiking without your pack, which is transported ahead for pick-up.
Springer Fever – A terrible sickness whereby every
spring, thru-hiker-hopefuls and past thru-hikers have a burning to desire to
get on the trail or back on the trail. There is no known cure.
Stealth Camping – Camping “off the radar” of authorities
or property owners in an area where it’s not allowed. Think twice before you do
this, even when camping restrictions seem unreasonable. Not only might you get
fined if you’re caught, but you risk antagonizing park rangers and property
owners, who will make things harder on the next thru-hiker they meet. And,
usually, the reason that a place is off-limits to camping is that it has been
overused in the past or is in a fragile ecological area. Stealth camping
violates good LNT practices.
Stile – a step or set of steps for passing over a fence or wall.
Switchback – I have no idea what this means. I’m
from
Tourons – a term used for tourists, usually
applied after you have sweated blood, climbing to a great view, and find it
overrun with people who drove to the peak and then ask
you how far you have hiked or any of the other dozen questions that you are
sick of answering. Of course, if tourons offer you
food, they become magically transformed into Trail Angels, and, if they offer
you a ride into town, they become the salt of the Earth. Funny,
eh?
Trail
Trail Magic – When something,
or someone happens at the time it is most needed. Whether
it’s a cooler of cold water at a road crossing, a ride into town, someone
offering to pack out your garbage for you, or an amazing view after days of
clouds and rain. It’s all good. Often performed by a
Trail Angel.
Web-walking – Being the first hiker on the trail in
the morning, which means you will be the first one clearing spider webs from
across the trail, usually with your face.
Widowmaker – a dead limb that
could come down at any moment without warning. Always look up before setting up your tent,
having lunch or taking a bathroom break.
Work-for-stay – Practice of allowing thru-hikers to
work in exchange for bed and board. Usually on a first come, first serve basis.
Yogi-ing – The fine art of getting other hikers, picnickers,
or others to offer you food, drink or rides. It’s a subtle art, requiring the
hiker to communicate a need without actually asking for something. Limping,
wistful staring or subtle drooling is allowed, but actually asking, begging, or
stealing is not, despite the actions of Yogi Bear (where this term originates).
YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary) – To each their own and HYOH, right? Not everyone hikes at the same pace or
has the same ideas. YMMV is used quite often for many reasons, some which have
nothing to do with mileage.
Zero Day – A day in which you do not hike any miles at all; a rest day. Usually it is spent in a town while re-supplying, doing laundry, et cetera but may be taken in the woods to just relax for awhile. Warning! Zero days in a trail town can lead to excessive spending.
Zombie zone – Manner of hiking when your mind is
somewhere else and your body is hiking without you. Don’t do this in Rocksylvania.
~ Back to A.T. Info
~*~ Home ~*~ My A.T.
Thru-hike ~*~ Contact Me
~