Terms of the Outdoor Lifestyle
ABC
Advance Base Camp. A lesser-equipped, less-comfortable camp serving as a launch
pad higher on a mountain or closer to an objective..
Abney Level
Hand-held instrument used by trail builders for measuring angles of elevation
or inclination of trail.
Abseiling
also known as "roping down." A method of retreat, or for inspecting
a climbing route.
Access Trail
usually connects a primary trail to a road, campground, etc. or another trail.
Accessible
trail that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility
Guidelines and can be better used by people with disabilities.
Acclimatization
process of becoming gradually accustomed to high altitude.
Adopt-A-Trail
individuals, groups or businesses “adopt” trails, volunteering for
periodic maintenance, litter removal, etc. Usually accompanied by pleasant signs.
Adz
ax-like tool used by trail maintenance to hack at stuff. Good for shaping wood
in a trailish manner.
AMC
Appalachian Mountain Club. Group headquartered in Boston that pretty much controls
the hiking trails on the White Mountains. The Forest Service controls access,
the AMC owns the huts and controls the traffic. The huts are a series of really
neat buildings at or above timberline where hikers can buy a meal, relax, refresh,
and stay overnight if they so desire. They have cool libraries. A real White
Mountain experience. Haven't yet experienced this, because the idea of shelling
out a hundred dollars to stay in a dank bunk room with dozens of sweaty, smelly
hikers is a bit absurd. Not that I mind dank bunk rooms nor have a grudge against
my fellow smelly hikers, I just don't think it's worth a hundred dollars. Anyway,
the AMC is the champion of the White Mountains and has somehow managed to keep
the mountain bikes off the hiking trails, so we definitely like the AMC. Now
if only they could get rid of the stupid metal sticks everybody claws around
with.
AMS
Acute Mountain Sickness. Occurs at high altitude due to diminished oxygen. Begins
with shortness of breath, followed by swelling, flu-like symptoms, and eventually,
death. Most people won’t experience symptoms until they reach heights
well above 10,000 feet. Varies with the individual. (Personally, I'm always
out of breath over 8,000 feet.)
Apron
transition area on a switchback. Going up a switchback, it's where you stop,
look at the new direction...up...and groan. Going downhill, it's where you crash
if you're out of control.
Arête
A steep ridge; pointy.
Armoring
covering on a trail surface...rock, brick, stone, concrete, or other material.
"AT"
Appalachian Trail.
AYCE
from AT speak, stands for "all you can eat" restaurant.
Backcountry
area where there are no maintained roads or permanent buildings—just primitive
roads and trails.
Backslope
Trail construction term. Describes the cut bank along the uphill side of the
trail, extending upslope from the tread (the part of the trail you walk on).
Bald
Describes a treeless, rocky summit in certain areas of the Appalachians. A "bald"
is usually a treeless summit in the southern region that is not necessarily
above timberline, but the peak is still open at the summit. Has more of a pastoral
feel than the treeless summits of the Whites or Adirondacks.
Base
primary excavated bed of a trail upon which the tread, or walking surface lies.
Base Course
layer material placed on a trailbed to support surfacing. Trail construction
term.
Bed
excavated or cleared surface on which a trail lies.
Bench
A long step, or tier, on the side of a hill. You climb until you reach the bench,
then you walk across it, then climb until you reach the next bench.
Bergshrund
A crevasse that separates the upper portion of a glacier from the mountain it
backs into.
Bivouac
a temporary or emergency "camp" or shelter, usually made in an undesirable
locale on the side of a mountain, cliff, or in other such conditions where the
hiker or climber requires rest overnight or during harsh conditions.
Bivvy Sack or Bivvy Bag
a sort of tent/sleeping bag cover for emergency shelter.
Black-Blazer
Someone -- usually a disgruntled townie -- who paints over or otherwise removes
trail markers to prevent hikers from finding the trail.
Blaze
Mark on a tree, rock, sign, etc. indicating the trail route.
Blazers
metal or plastic tags nailed to trees to mark a trail.
Blowdown
trees or whatnot "blown down" by wind and now blocking the trail.
Blue-Blazer
Term used by "thru-hikers" to describe those who will use shortcuts,
connector trails, alternative trails, etc. periodically for a change of pace
or break from monotony.
Bluff
something you fall down. A promontory, riverbank, cliff, etc. that is too steep
to walk down without handholds or a switchback trail. Or, when your hand just
isn't very good.
Boardwalk
planking built on pilings in areas of wet soil or water to provide dry hiking.
Bog Bridge
Logs that lie in the swamp, like puncheons (see) to provide semi-dry hiking.
Bollard
round post barrier, often metal, usually 4' high, to prevent vehicles from entering
a trail.
Borrow
Fill used in trail construction, obtained from a nearby location, usually leaves
small pits behind.
Braided Trail
numerous routes have been created, usually at access points or where shortcuts
are easy, resulting in excess wear and innumerable little trails crisscrossing
randomly every few feet. An infamous example of braiding is found at Landscape
Arch, Arches National Park. (Access has since been limited due to partial collapse)
Brushing-In
using logs, branches, rocks, etc. to obstruct a closed section of trail to prevent
future use.
Bushwhacking
Going off the trail, in the interest of taking a shortcut, creating a trail,
looking for a rumored location, etc. Hikers usually begin their worst war stories
with "We were bushwhacking and then..."
Cache
A hidden stash of food or supplies, left along a trail for return or future
use.
Cairn
a pile of rocks used to indicate direction of a trail in a treeless area; usually
above timberline or in canyon country.
Canopy
Upper layer of leaves in a forest, covering the ground below.
Carabiner
A metal clip with a spring gate or threaded closure for attaching to ropes,
anchors, etc.
Chimney
Two different meanings: In geological terms, a tall thin column of rock or other
matter that resembles its namesake. In climbing terms, a chimney is a vertical
crack big enough to fit your body inside.
Choss
In climbing jargon, a large rock with a loose, flaky or crumbly surface that
is unreliable for safe holds or pitons.
Cirque
a group of mountains that forms a circle.
Class
Usually referred to in terms of technical climbing, for example, "The splatter
route is definitely a 5.13" Here's what it all means: Class 1 is a simple
mountain that can be climbed wearing a pair of sneakers -- little more than
a nature loop. Class 2 includes minor handholds, more or less to steady yourself
as you clamber up the mountain. Class 3 includes some vertical climbing, and
perhaps use of a rope. Class 4 is any climb that requires use of a belay, in
which another climber is required to remain stationary to take up slack and
arrest the fall of the active climber. Class 5 is any climb that requires ropes
to be attached to fixed objects, such as a tree or piton. The attachment is
not to aid in ascent, but rather to protect in the event of a fall. Class 5
is the one with the most "variables." A Class 5.0 has two handholds
and two footholds. Class 5.4 is missing a hold. Class 5.8 has a hold available
for one hand and one foot only. Class 5.12 has no visible holds. Class 5.13
is a surface with no holds and is under an overhang. Class 5 is often further
broken up, such as 5.13a, but this arcana is really in the climber's arena...not
ours. Class 6 is any climb that requires artificial assistance to be carried
out, whether it be ropes dropped from above or other mechanical aids.
Col
a "pass" or low, sometimes protected area on a massif (mountain range).
Corner
In climbing lingo, where two planes of a rock face meet.
Cornice
an overhang of ice or snow on the crest of a ridge or mountain. Caused by wind.
Suggestion: Don't stand on a cornice.
Couloir
a gully on a mountainside. Could be a gully in the ground, or in snow.
Crampons
sharp, pointy things that can be strapped to your boots, used for moving about
on ice or steep ice/snow surfaces.
Crux
the hardest part or "key" to a climb.
Cwm
area enclosed by a cirque. Pronounced coom.
Dihedral
a corner on a rock face with a wide angle.
Double blaze
two blazes, one atop the other, that denote a change in direction or junction
in the trail coming up. When the top blaze is to the right, it means the trail
turns right, etc.
Fen
Low, flat, marshy land or a bog.
Flake
A thin, semi detached segment of rock that could conceivably fully detach during
a climb. Depending on the circumstances, a failing flake can cause a climber
to "tomato-out" (see below).
Flip-flopper
Mostly used with the Appalachian Trail. Describes a thru-hiker who realizes
he won't finish before it snows up North, gets a ride to Katahdin and hikes
back to where he left off.
Forty-sixer
Peakbagger slogging up the 46 highest peaks in New York's Adirondacks. One of
the better-known peakbagging milestones.
Fourteener
Peakbagger pursuing the Colorado mountains exceeding 14,000' elevation.
Gaiters
Outerwear that zips or snaps around ankles and lower legs to keep water, snow
or muck out of your climbing boots.
Ghost-Blazing
The art of following a section of trail that is no longer used. When a trail
is "re-routed," usually the old blazes are blackened out.
GORP
An acronym for Granola, Oats, Raisins, Peanuts. More commonly known as "Good
old raisins and peanuts."
Grandes Courses
in mountaineering circles, these are long, difficult climbs combining mountaineering,
rock climbing, ice climbing, and usually a bivouac or two. Mt. McKinley, Everest,
The north face of the Eiger and the Matterhorn are examples of grandes courses.
Half Bench
Type of trail where half of it is excavated out of the slope and the outside
of the trail tread contains the excavated material. Trail looks as if it were
chipped out of the side of the hill, which is what it is.
Herd Path
an unofficial but obvious route hikers use to get from one place to another.
Sometimes refers to an official path that is extremely overused.
Knob
Prominent rounded hill or mountain. Common term in the southeastern USA
Lima Charlie
Radio term meaning "Loud and Clear" usually used for answering a radio check. Also Lickin Chicken
Lean-to
one- to three-sided structure, usually with a single slanted roof, designed
to provide minimal shelter for backpackers.
MUDS
mindless up and downs. Where the trail goes up and back down for no reason other
than the amusement of whomever laid out the trail. Very aggravating. Usually
occurs when some control freak at a local trail council is realigning a major
trail, and wishes to put his or her mark on the route, or is trying to increase
the amount of mileage under their control.
Neve
loose, granular snow. After movement has worn off the "points" on
individual snowflakes, they clump together to form this stuff, which is shaped
roughly like ball bearings and lends itself nicely to avalanches.
Nobo
North bounder (AT or PCT).
Open-book
mountain climber slang for a "dihedral" or wide-open corner.
Pack-out
Also known as "carry-out." The practice of leaving nothing -- and
that does mean nothing -- behind on a backpacking trip. Require ziploc bags,
PVC tubes with caps, etc.
Path
We all know what a path is, don't we? For 10 bonus points, name the difference
between a path and a trail. See definition of trail, below.
Pathfinder
Team member responsible for naviagtion, evacuation, routes, recon of trails
and feartures, etc. Also communicates with Search and Rescue Teams.
Peakbagging
Chasing your personal checklist of peaks. Organized peakbagging lists, such
as "White Mountain 4000 footers" are popular; there are a number of
clubs that promote and recognize peakbagging accomplishments.
Piton
metal loop climbers screw into rock to run rope through for safety.
Point
Lead person in a line of hikers. Responsible for following the trail.
Puncheons
logs, planks, rocks, or other crude "bridges" built across soggy areas.
Prescribed burns
intentional fires conducted by forestry services to clear underbrush and eliminate
some of the fuel for potentially larger unintentional fires. These used to be
called "controlled burns" but since they seldom are, the name was
changed.
PUDS
pointless ups and downs. See "MUDS," above.
Rainbow-Blazer
Term used by "thru-hikers" to describe people who hook together all
sorts of routes to complete a trail -- including hitch-hiking.
Rimrocked
Climbing up to a spot from which you are surprisingly too frightened to descend.
This term is most frequently applied in slickrock country; many climbers find
it easy to scramble up the ladder-like layers...but going down can be quite
unnerving. When one becomes so unnerved that they are stuck, they are "rimrocked."
Sastrugi
wave-like formation of crust on a snowfield, formed by wind. Common in arctic
regions; difficult to cross.
SAR
Search and Rescue
Scree
The sort of stuff found on a talus slope...loose rocks, scrabbly, hard to get
good footing on. Picky people, sticklers for detail will claim that scree is
smaller than talus. All we know is that it's tough to walk on.
Sérac
a massive chunk of ice breaking away from a glacier or cliff of ice. Some séracs
are the size of a desk, some are the size of a condominium.
Shelter Rat
Usually refers to thru-hikers, shelter rat is anyone who camps exclusively in
trail shelters.
Sobo
South bounder (AT or PCT).
Soloing
Whether hiking, backpacking or climbing, soloing is going alone. When climbing,
soloing vaguely means doing any climb by yourself where injury would result
in the event of a fall.
Stumblees
Also "Stumblebees." Climbers who pay big bucks for guides to lead
them to the summit. Stumblees would otherwise be unable to make it.
Sweep or Sweeper
Last hiker in a group -- by design. Person follows all others, ensuring that
no one falls behind or is left needing assistance.
Switchback
Ever been on a trail that zig-zags up a mountain? That's a switchback. Makes
the hike easier if not longer, and minimizes erosion problems.
Talus Slope
Loose jumbled rocks with poor or dangerous footing on the side of a mountain.
A slope covered with small individual rocks. Allegedly, talus is larger than
scree. We've yet to find anyone who can positively define the difference.
Tango Mike
Radio term meaning "Thank You Much"
Thru-hiker
This is the opposite of a slackpacker. Usually applied to someone attempting
to complete the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, or some other lengthy
trek requiring meticulous advance planning and commitment to the task at hand
regardless of circumstances. (The slackpacker is not meticulous and will bow
out gracefully when he or she tires.) Whereas a slackpacker will do day-long
sessions, and a backpacker will do a few overnight sessions, a thruhiker is
attempting to go start-to-finish. Thruhikers come in a variety of types; see
"white-blazers," "rainbow-blazers."
Tomatoed-Out
phrase coined in the 1960s to describe a climber who has inadvertently free-fallen
a great distance off a mountain. (Actually, it refers to the grisly impact at
the bottom.)
Townie
Someone who lives near, and perhaps lurks about, a popular trail. Some townies
help thru-hikers; others go out of their way to hassle hikers. In either case,
the expression "get a life" comes to mind.
Trail
A route made across a wild region, over rough country, or the like, by the passage
of man or animal. A trail differs from a path in that a path tends to be a convenient
means of foot travel to avoid roads. A path serves in place of a road, takes
you between two civilized localities. A trail takes you away from civilized
things.
Trail Angel
A townie or other person who provides unexpected and much-appreciated assistance
to a hiker.
Trail Squatter
A townie or other person who regularly camps in the same spot -- usually the
best spot -- on a trail. Arrives early in the day and stakes a claim while the
rest of the world is busy hiking. Then when you are setting up camp, the Trail
Squatter stops by to nose around in your activities.
Trailhead
The beginning of a trail; entry point. (Hey, I was hiking with a guy who never
heard the term before).
Trail Name
No, this isn't the name of the trail. This is something thru-hikers and backpackers
like to do: Christen themselves with a "clever" pseudonym to use on
the trail. Some examples are "Banjo Bob" or "The Old Limper"
or "Dangerlegs." The name is intended to refer to the individual's
particular style, but more often refers to some odd habit or peculiarity.
Tramper
Slackpacker or hiker dedicated enough to plod along stoically regardless of
weather conditions. Not surprisingly, this term is popular in New England.
Traverse
To climb a slope diagonally rather than a more direct approach. In climbing
lingo, it sometimes means going almost horizontally across a face, to obtain
a better route up.
Tread
The surface portion of a trail that people way on, not including backslope,
ditch, and shoulder.
Trekker
These are people who enjoy the travel and journey to remote "base camps,"
and do so with no intention of climbing the mountain or otherwise reaching the
ultimate goal. Mt. Everest base camp is a popular destination for trekkers.
Turnpike
In hiker's lingo, a trail used by a lot of folks that goes quite directly from
one place to another. In trail construction lingo, it is a trail built up above
wet, boggy areas by placing stone and/or dirt over fabric with logs or rocks
holding the whole shebang in place.
Understory
forest vegetation growing under the canopy.
Undulating Trail
Trail that goes up and down like a series of waves.
Universal Trail or Universal Design
a gentle trail with very few barriers or no barriers, providing maximum accessibility
to wheelchairs and very aged slackpackers who shuffle along in velcro sneakers,
with their trousers belted chest high.
USGS
United States Geological Survey. These are the folks who've measured and mapped
everything, and make those cool topo maps.
Verglas
thin, often clear coating of ice on rock.
Walk-up
A high altitude summit that requires no climbing skills to reach the top; a
"class 2.0" at most. Mt. Rainier is one of the best known "walk-ups."
This term is often used derisively by accomplished climbers to describe the
mountains the rest of us are hopefully able to climb.
Wall
a rock face angled 60º or more.
Waterbar
rocks, logs, or whatever angled across a trail to divert rain or meltwater,
to protect the trail below from excessive erosion.
White-Blazer
AT and PCT hikers who rigidly follow the trail, and if forced to detour, will
retrace his steps so that every foot of the "true" trail has been
covered, then berate those of us who can't be bothered. These are the people
who were hall monitors and whining tattle-tales when they were kids.
Yellow-Blazing
The practice of hitch-hiking or driving somewhere to cut off part of a longer
hike.
Yo-yo
describes the concept whereby a thru-hiker gets to the end...and then turns
around and hikes back to the beginning. (see also: "lunatic")
Zero-Mile Mark
The spot where a measured trail begins; may or may not be the trailhead.
[ Home
] [ Back ] [ Join
the Team ]