Backpacking Jargon
Backpacking: Camping and hiking while carrying almost everything needed in a backpack
Jargon: Expressions used by a group that are hard for others to understand
Backpacking Jargon: Simple explanations of jargon used by backpackers in America
“When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said
in rather a scornful tone,
“it means just what I choose it to mean —
neither more nor less.”
Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass
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A
A-frame: Tent with two straight poles at each end, forming two legs of a triangle (link)
ABC: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation, old memory aid for highest-priority first aid problems, now ABCDE (link)
ABC watch: Wristwatch that displays Altitude, Barometric pressure, and Compass headings (link)
ABCDE: Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Decision to maintain spine control, Expose life threatening injuries, memory aid for highest-priority first aid problems (link)
ac: Acre, about 0.4 ha or an American football field without end zones (link)
Access trail: Also feeder trail, connects main trail to a trailhead or another trail (link)
Acclimatization: Ascending slowly while getting used to high altitude, to prevent acute mountain sickness or worse (link)
ADT: American Discovery Trail, 6,800 mile (10,900 km) route from the Atlantic Ocean in Delaware to the Pacific Ocean in California (link)
ADZPCTKO: Annual Day Zero Pacific Crest Trail Kick Off, no longer held (link)
AFAIK: As Far As I Know (link)
Al: Aluminum or aluminium (link)
Alcohol stove: Stove that burns alcohol (link)
ALDHA: Also ALDHA-East, Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association (link)
ALDHA-West: American Long Distance Hiking Association West (link)
Alpine start: Begin hiking well before sunrise to avoid rockfall and other hazards as the day warms (link)
Alpine zone: Above treeline in high-elevation areas (link)
Alternate: Different trail connected to the main trail at each end (link)
Altimeter: Device that measures altitude using air pressure (link)
Altitoots: Farting because of high altitude (link)
AMC: Appalachian Mountain Club (link)
AMS: Acute Mountain Sickness, headaches, vomiting, and more caused by altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400 m) (link)
Anemometer: Device that measures wind speed (link)
Anker: Brand of battery packs popular with thru-hikers (link)
AQI: Air Quality Index, higher numbers are worse (link)
Aquamira: Brand of liquid two-part chemical water treatment (link)
Arc’x: Arc’teryx, company that makes backpacking gear (link)
As the crow flies: Most direct path between two points, versus by trail or road (link)
AT: Appalachian Trail, 2,200-mile (3,500 km) trail through the Appalachian Mountains from Georgia to Maine (link)
ATA: Appalachian Trail Alliance (link)
ATC: Appalachian Trail Conservancy, formerly Appalachian Trail Conference (link)
Atmospheric river: Also pineapple express, narrow band of airborne moisture causing intense rain and snow storms along the west coast of North America (link)
Avalanche: Dangerous, sudden, and rapid downward flow of snow on a slope (link)
Avalanche beacon: Also avy beacon, small radio transmitter and receiver worn while traveling through avalanche areas to aid rescue (link)
AYCE: All You Can Eat, feature of restaurants popular with thru-hikers (link)
AYH: American Youth Hostels (link)
AZT: Arizona Trail, 800-mile (1,300 km) trail across Arizona from Mexico to Utah (link)
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B
Backboard: long, narrow, rigid board with straps used to carry an injured person (link)
Backcountry: Area with no maintained roads and few buildings or residents (link)
Bacon stretcher: Mythical device designed to stretch bacon (link)
Bald: Low forested mountain without trees on top (link)
Barometer: Device that measures air pressure (link)
Base layer: Innermost clothing, usually intended to quickly move moisture away from the skin (link)
Baxter: Baxter State Park in Maine, north end of the Appalachian Trail (link)
BBQ: Barbecue (link)
Beanie: Also toque, warm knit cap (link)
Bear bag: Bag used to hang food out of reach of bears (link)
Bear box: Bear-resistant locker for food storage (link)
Bear burrito: Sleeping bag or hammock with a smelly backpacker inside, usually cowboy camping (link)
Bear cable: Cable permanently installed high between trees or poles for hanging bear bags (link)
Bear can: Bear-resistant food container carried by backpackers (link)
Bear fortune cookie: Tent (link)
Bear piñata: Suspended bear bag low enough for bears to reach (link)
Bear spray: Canned pepper spray used to discourage actively charging bears (link)
Bearmuda triangle: Keep stored food, kitchen, and sleep area at least 100 yards (meters) apart (link)
Beaver fever: Giardia infection (link)
BeiDou: Chinese satellite navigation system like GPS (link)
Bench: Long flat area on the side of a hill (link)
Bergschrund: Also schrund, crevasse formed at the top of a glacier, often quite deep (link)
Berm: Long pile of dirt on the outer edge of a trail (link)
Beta: Recent first-hand information (link)
Bidet: Device used to squirt water and clean up after pooping, instead of using toilet paper (link)
Big three: Backpack, sleep system (like a sleeping bag and pad), and shelter (like a tent) (link)
Bite valve: Mouth-operated valve on the end of a tube leading to a hydration bladder (link)
Bivouac: Sleep outside without a shelter in bad weather (link)
Bivy sack: Separate lightweight cover around a sleep system (link)
Black blazer: Someone who obscures or blacks-out blazes to prevent other hikers from finding a trail (link)
Black ice: Thin slippery coating of clear ice on rocks, sidewalks, and roads (link)
Blackflies: Small biting flies found in large swarms in the eastern U.S. (link)
Blaze orange: Bright orange color worn during hunting season to reduce accidental shootings (link)
Blaze: Carved or painted mark on a tree or rock, showing the route (link)
Bliss index: Scale of 1 to 10 measure of backpacker happiness, where 10 is best (link)
BLM: Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Government agency managing over 386,000 square miles (over 1,000,000 km²) for multiple uses (link)
Blow out: Serious hiking shoe failure requiring repair or replacement (link)
Blowdown: Trees fallen across a trail or wide area after high winds (link)
Blue bagging: Carrying poop out of the backcountry in blue WAG bags (link)
Blue blaze: Spur trails off the Appalachian Trail marked by blue blazes (link)
Blue-blazer: Backpacker who uses blue-blazed Appalachian Trail sections instead of white-blazed (link)
Bluebird day: Day with blue, cloudless skies (link)
BLUF: Bottom Line Up Front, conclusion at the top with details below. (link)
Bluff: Short cliff (link)
BMT: Benton MacKaye Trail, 288-mile (463 km) trail from Georgia to North Carolina (link)
Boardwalk: Trail segment covered with planks to protect sensitive areas (link)
Bog bridge: Also puncheon, narrow walkway to protect wetlands (link)
Bomber: Unusually strong or durable gear; also a good rock climbing hold (link)
Bonk: Suddenly run out of personal energy due to lack of blood sugar (link)
Bonus miles: Extra distance backpacked on a thru-hike without forward progress, like hiking to a town and back for resupply (link)
Book time: Guidebook time to complete a trail (link)
Bounce box: Also drift box or flyer, package of thru-hiker supplies not needed soon, so shipped ahead (link)
BPL: Backpacking Light, online publication with active community forums (link)
BPW: Base Pack Weight, also baseweight, total weight of backpack with everything inside except consumables like food, water, and fuel (link)
Brain: Backpack lid with a zippered pocket (link)
Break trail: Flatten a path through fresh snow that others can follow easier (link)
Breathable: Fabric ability to pass water vapor (link)
Bridge hammock: Hammock with bars on both ends creating a flatter sleeping surface (link)
Brown blazing: Off trail detour to poop (link)
BRP: Blue Ridge Parkway, National Park unit in North Carolina and Virginia (link)
BSA: Boy Scouts of America (link)
BSI: Big Sky International, company that makes backpacking gear (link)
BSL: Big SEKI Loop, 155-mile (249 km) route through Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California (link)
BTDT: Been There, Done That, direct experience with the subject (link)
Bubble: Also pack or herd, main group of thru-hikers moving along a trail, typically spread out across several days (link)
Bucket list: List of adventures to complete before “kicking the bucket” (dying) (link)
Buffer zone: Protected areas adjacent to the Appalachian Trail. (link)
Bushwhack: Difficult hiking through dense bushes and branches (link)
Bypass: Skip a trail segment, town, or trailside attraction (link)
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C
c: Cup, about 240 ml, exactly 8 ounces volume (link)
C: Celsius, metric measure of temperature, 0 °C is 32 °F (link)
Cache: pronounced cash, food and supplies hidden for later pick up (link)
Cairn: Also duck, tall rock pile that might indicate the trail path (link)
Calorie loading: Eating lots of high calorie food during a town stop (link)
CalTopo: Website and app for mapping and navigating backcountry adventures (link)
Camel up: Also tank up, drink a lot of water at a water source (link)
Camp clean: Clean enough but not that clean (link)
Canister stove: Backpacking stove that burns pressurized butane-propane fuel in metal cans (link)
Canopy: Top layer of a forest (link)
Canyoneering: Also canyoning, traveling the length of rugged canyon bottoms by rock climbing and swimming (link)
Can’t see the forest for the trees: Foreground features hide important background features (link)
Carbs: Carbohydrates, major part of most backpacker diets, including sugary foods, pasta, couscous, and tortillas (link)
Caretaker: Also maintainer, person who maintains a permanent shelter or campsite (link)
Cat hole: Small hole dug to dispose of poop (link)
Catenary curve: Natural curve that rope or fabric makes while suspended between two points (link)
CBS: Cold Butt Syndrome, when hammock campers sleep without enough insulation below them (link)
CCF: Closed Cell Foam, dense plastic foam used for sleeping pads and backpack padding (link)
CDT: Continental Divide Trail, 3,100-mile (5,000 km) trail through the Rocky Mountains from Mexico to Canada (link)
CFM: Cubic Feet per Minute, about 7.5 gallons per minute or 28 liters per minute (link)
CFS: Cubic Feet per Second, about 7.5 gallons per second or 28 liters per second (link)
Chafing: Pain and redness where skin rubs together or gear rubs skin, aggravated by sweat and dirt (link)
Chinook winds: Warm southwest winds on the coast of Oregon and Washington; also warm west winds on the eastern slope of western North American mountain ranges (link)
Chrome dome: Brand name of a discontinued lightweight reflective umbrella, now used for all similar umbrellas (link)
Christmas toes: Tingling and numbness in thru-hiker toes that lasts through December 25 (link)
ci: Cubic inch, about 16.4 ml; 1,000 ci is about 16 liters (link)
Cirque: Also corrie or cwm, steep-sided mountain valley with closed upper end (link)
Class 1 climb: Trail hiking (link)
Class 2 climb: Low-risk scrambling, sometimes using hands (link)
Class 3 climb: Higher-risk scrambling, handholds needed, rope sometimes used to stop falls (link)
Class 4 climb: Simple rock climbing, rope often used to stop falls, unroped falls may be fatal (link)
Class 5 climb: Technical rock climbing, rope usually used to stop falls, unroped falls typically fatal (link)
Class I rapid: Short, fast river section with small waves and no obstacles (link)
Class II rapid: Short, fast river section with easily avoided obstacles (link)
Class III rapid: Short, fast river section with irregular waves, tight channels, and multiple maneuvers required (link)
Class IV rapid: Short, fast river section with unavoidable large waves, critical maneuvers required, and stopping for inspection usually required (link)
Class V rapid: Long dangerous river section, stopping for inspection difficult, and difficult rescues (link)
Cliffed out: Off-trail route that becomes too steep to proceed safely (link)
Clo: Clothing insulation measurement, about 1.55 togs or R 0.88 (link)
ClO2: Also ClO2, chlorine dioxide, chemical water disinfectant (link)
cm: Centimeter, about 0.4 inches (link)
CO: Carbon monoxide, colorless odorless poisonous gas, formed by flames or combustion without enough oxygen (link)
Cobbknocker: Also webwalker, web face, or web master, first person on a trail who clears spider webs (link)
Col: Also gap, notch, or sag, low point on a ridge (link)
Cold soak: Prepare food by soaking it in water without cooking (link)
Comfort hiker: Backpacker carrying much more weight in the pursuit of camping comfort (link)
Companion: ALDHA Thru-hikers Companion, guidebook for the Appalachian Trail (link)
The Complete Walker: Popular 1968 book by Colin Fletcher that dramatically expanded interest in backpacking (link)
Contour lines: Curved lines on a map representing constant elevations (link)
Contouring: Also sidehilling or slabbing, following a roughly constant elevation path around a mountain or canyon (link)
Cornice: Dangerous overhanging ledge of snow and ice on a ridge or peak (link)
Corridor: Narrow strip of land along both sides of a trail (link)
COSPAS-SARSAT: International organization that uses government satellites to locate PLB rescue signals and trigger rescues (link)
Cotton world: Off-trail life, when wearing cotton is not potentially life-threatening (link)
Cove: Small bay or coastal inlet; also small valley in the Appalachian Mountains, closed at one or both ends (link)
Cowboy camp: Sleep out in the open, without a tent or shelter (link)
Cowboy coffee: Mixture of hot water and ground coffee carefully poured unfiltered into a cup (link)
Cowboy water: Also dip-and-sip, drink water directly from the source without treatment (link)
Cowtaminated: Water source polluted by cattle waste (link)
CPR: Cardiopulmonary respiration, first aid for reviving a few mostly dead patients (link)
Crampons: Metal frame with spikes and straps, used on boots for climbing steep ice (link)
Crevasse: Deep, dangerous crack in a glacier that can be hidden by a weak snow bridge (link)
Croo: Caretakers of Appalachian Mountain Club huts (link)
Crotch gusset: Small fabric panel in pants allowing more range of motion (link)
Crotch rot: Inflammation and often infection around the genitals (link)
Crushing miles: Also pushing miles, hiking much farther than usual each day (link)
Crypto: Cryptosporidium, waterborne intestinal parasite that causes diarrhea (link)
CT: Colorado Trail, 490-mile (780 km) trail through the Rocky Mountains from Denver to Durango, Colorado (link)
Culvert: Water passage under a trail or road, made of pipe, rock, or wood (link)
Cupholders: Backpack lower side pockets used to carry water bottles (link)
Cushy: Comfortable (link)
CX: Cross-country, also freehike, hike a path not on established trails (link)
CYTC: Calendar Year Triple Crown, complete the PCT, CDT, and AT in one year between January 1 and December 31. (link)
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D
D: Denier, pronounced den-year, measure of thread and fabric density, higher is heavier (link)
Daisy chain: Two-layered webbing with one layer sewn to leave open loops, used for hammock suspensions; also a long rope gathered using interlocking loops (link)
DAM: Down-filled Air Mattress, inflatable sleeping pad insulated with down (link)
Data Book: Appalachian Trail information published by the ATC (link)
DCF: Dyneema Composite Fabric, fabric made with Dyneema (link)
DCH: Dyneema Composite Hybrid, fabric made with DCF, bonded to layers of other materials (link)
Dead branch tattoo: Also rock tattoo or trail tattoo, scar acquired while hiking (link)
Dead fall: Dead tree laying across a trail (link)
Death march: Long, boring hike, often in hot weather (link)
Declination: Also magnetic declination, difference between true north and magnetic north (link)
DEET: Type of insect repellant applied to skin (link)
Deets: Details (link)
Diablo wind: Strong, hot, dry offshore wind in Central California (link)
DIAD: Done In A Day (link)
Dialed-in: Describes gear well matched to the task (link)
Dirtbagging: Backpacking on a limited budget using ragged gear (link)
Dispersed camping: Camping away from established campsites and trails (link)
Ditty bag: Small bag to hold miscellaneous items (link)
DIY: Do It Yourself (link)
DOC: Dartmouth Outing Club (link)
Dodgeway: Fence opening that permits hikers to pass, not livestock (link)
Dome tent: Shelter shaped roughly like the upper half of a ball or geodesic dome (link)
Double blaze: Two aligned vertical blazes indicating a sharp trail turn (link)
Double-track: Primitive dirt road formed by parallel vehicle tires (link)
Double-triple: Completing the Triple Crown twice (link)
Double-wall: Tent with two layers of fabric overhead, outer layer waterproof (link)
Down in the weeds: Focused on details, missing larger features (link)
Down the rabbit hole: Getting deep into a topic, sometimes ending up somewhere strange (link)
Droppin trou: Said to others before lowering shorts, pants, or trousers outdoors (link)
Drumlin: Long low hill formed by glaciers (link)
Dry camp: Camp overnight without using local water (link)
Duct tape: Also Duck Tape brand name, wide, heavy duty tape used for repairs and other tasks (link)
Duff: Layer of leaves, sticks, and other dead plant material covering the ground (link)
DWR: Durable Water Repellant, coating that helps rain run off fabric for a while (link)
Dyneema: previously Cuben, brand of UHMW polyethylene fibers (link)
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E
EABO: Eastbound thru-hiker (link)
ECT: Eastern Continental Trail, 4,400 mile (7,100 km) route from Key West, Florida to Belle Isle, Newfoundland (link)
EE: Enlightened Equipment, company that makes backpacking gear (link)
EGNOS: European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service, satellite system that improves Galileo navigation accuracy in Europe, like WAAS and GPS in North America (link)
Elk duds: Elk poop that resembles Milk Duds candy (link)
EMS: Emergency Medical Services like paramedics and ambulances; also Eastern Mountain Sports outdoor retailer. (link)
EN rating: Also sleeping bag rating, unreliable sleeping bag low temperature estimate using the ISO 23537 standard, formerly EN 13537 (link)
End-to-ender: Someone completing the entire Appalachian Trail (link)
ESBIT: Brand of hexamine solid fuel tablet (link)
Escape velocity: Courage to leave a vortex (link)
Escarpment: Long series of cliffs, roughly the same height and same direction (link)
EtOH: Ethanol, drinking alcohol (link)
Exposure: Description of steep area with high risk of falling and serious injury or death, more exposure is more dangerous (link)
External frame pack: Backpack with stiff supports near your back and outside the fabric (link)
Extension collar: Extra-tall backpack body for carrying more stuff (link)
Eyelet: Shoelace hole in a boot or hiking shoe, often reinforced with metal or plastic (link)
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F
F: Fahrenheit, U.S. measure of temperature, 32 °F is 0 °C (link)
Facilatrees: Forest as toilet or “facilities” (link)
FAK: First Aid Kit (link)
Fall line: Shortest and steepest way down a hill (link)
False lead: Path that looks like the real trail, but is not (link)
False pass: Mountain crossing that looks like the true pass until you get there (link)
False summit: High spot that looks like the true summit until you get there (link)
FarOut: Formerly Guthook, brand of app-based guides to long-distance trails (link)
Fastpacking: Covering many miles (km) per day with a very light backpack (link)
FBC: Freezer Bag Cooking, preparing food by adding hot water to ingredients inside a thick zippered plastic bag (link)
Fill power: Measure of down insulation fluffiness, higher is lighter (link)
First-hand experience: Personally observed or participated in the subject (link)
FKT: Fastest Known Time, speed record for hiking a trail end to end (link)
Flash flood: Rapid flooding of low lying areas, often scouring desert washes and slot canyons in sunny conditions (link)
Flip-flop: Thru-hike part of a trail in one direction, then skip ahead to hike another part in the other direction (link)
Floater: Tiny debris suspended in water (link)
Floorless: Tent without a built-in floor (link)
Flophouse: Cheap town lodging for thru-hikers (link)
Florida Trail: A 1,500 mile (2,400 km) trail following most of the length of Florida (link)
Food fantasies: Backpacker dreams of what they will eat in town (link)
: Separate floor underneath a tent for added protection (link)
Ford: Cross a river by wading through the water (link)
Four state challenge: Hike the Appalachian Trail across Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania in less than 24 hours (link)
Frameless: Backpack without an internal or external frame (link)
Freestanding tent: Tent that mostly works without stakes in the ground (link)
FSO: From Skin Out, total pack weight plus everything worn or carried (link)
ft: Foot, about 30.5 cm, exactly 12 inches (link)
ft³: Also ft3, cubic foot, about 7.5 gallons or 28 liters, exactly 1,728 cubic inches (link)
Fun factor: Current (lack of) enjoyment, part of evacuation decisions after illness or injury (link)
FWIW: For What It’s Worth, slightly off-topic but still important (link)
FWOT: Freaking Waste Of Time, project or path that seriously fails to meet expectations (link)
FWS: Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Government agency managing over 235,000 square miles (over 600,000 km²) to protect wildlife (link)
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G
g: Gram, about 0.035 ounces weight (link)
GAIA GPS: App for mapping and navigating backcountry adventures (link)
Gaiters: Lower leg and shoe coverings to protect from dirt, water, snow, and obnoxious plants (link)
Galileo: European satellite navigation system like GPS (link)
Gallon: 3.79 liters, exactly 4 quarts (link)
GAMEr: Northbound Appalachian Trail thru-hiker traveling from Georgia to Maine (link)
Garvey: Double vertical blaze with the top blaze pointing to a trail turn (link)
GAS: Gear Acquisition Syndrome, problem of buying too much backpacking gear (link)
Gathered end: Hammock with each end gathered for suspension (link)
Gathering: Annual ALDHA meetup in New Hampshire or West Virginia (link)
GBITS: Great Backpacker In The Sky, mythical being who tests the toughness of hikers (link)
GCNP: Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona (link)
GDT: Great Divide Trail, 700-mile (1,130 km) trail in the Rocky Mountains along the border of Alberta and British Columbia (link)
Gear attic: Fabric shelf high inside a tent for storing gear (link)
Gear head: Someone very focused on backpacking gear (link)
Gear: Backpacking equipment (link)
Gearly afflicted: Backpacker with Gear Acquisition Syndrome (link)
GET: Grand Enchantment Trail, 770-mile (1,240 km) route across Arizona and New Mexico (link)
Getting off: Temporarily or permanently leaving a thru-hike (link)
GG: Granite Gear or Gossamer Gear, companies that make backpacking gear (link)
Ghost blazing: Following an abandoned trail segment (link)
GGG: Gathering of the Gear Geeks, annual meetup of Backpacking Light gear heads in California; also Garage Grown Gear outdoor retailer (link)
Giardia: Waterborne intestinal parasite that causes giardiasis, including diarrhea, stomach cramps, and vomiting (link)
Glissade: Sliding down steep snow without skis, usually holding an ice axe to stop safely (link)
Globalstar: Satellite system for messaging and phone calls; also a brand of satellite phones (link)
GLONASS: Russian satellite navigation system like GPS (link)
GMC: Green Mountain Club (link)
GNSS: Global Navigation Satellite Systems, like GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, and BeiDou (link)
Go-to gear: Equipment used on most backpacking trips by someone (link)
Going to ground: When a hammock camper decides to sleep on the ground (link)
GORP: Good Old Raisins and Peanuts, also trail mix (link)
GPS: Global Positioning System, U.S. satellite navigation system (link)
GPX: Computer file with waypoints, tracks, routes, elevations, and times (link)
Grade: Trail steepness, higher grades are steeper (link)
Gram weenie: Also weight weenie, someone focused on reducing their backpacking gear weight (link)
Graupel: Also snow pellets, tiny, soft hail that can lead to avalanches later (link)
Gray water: Dirty dishwater (link)
Green tunnel: Most of the heavily-forested Appalachian Trail (link)
Ground control: Off-trail people who help thru-hikers with shopping, shipping, bill paying, and pet care (link)
Groundling: Also ground dweller or grounder, backpackers who sleep on the ground (link)
GSMNP: Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee (link)
Gully: Also gulch, large ditch to small valley formed by erosion (link)
Gut it out: Keep going despite fatigue, illness, or injuries (link)
Gut rot: Belly pain from bad food or infection (link)
Guylines: Cords used to attach tents and tarps to stakes or other supports (link)
GWL: Great Western Loop, 6,875 mile (11,065 km) route linking the PCT, PNT, CDT, GET, and AZT through nine states (link)
GWT: Great Western Trail, 4,455 mile (7,170 km) trail from Mexico to Canada through Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana (link)
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H
ha: Hectare, about 2.5 acres (link)
HACE: High Altitude Cerebral Edema, life-threatening brain illness caused by altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400 m) (link)
Half gallon challenge: Eat a half gallon (1.9 liters) of ice cream halfway through the Appalachian Trail (link)
Hammock: Fabric sling hung between trees, just above the ground, for sleeping (link)
Hammock tent: Hammock with everything needed for shelter, including tarp, bug net, and suspension (link)
Hanger: Hammock camper (link)
HAPE: High Altitude Pulmonary Edema, life-threatening lung illness caused by altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400 m) (link)
Happy camper: Someone happy in their current activity (link)
Hardcore: Very dedicated person (link)
Hardshell: Waterproof jacket or pants without insulation (link)
Harpers Ferry: ATC headquarters town near the Appalachian Trail in West Virginia (link)
Hayduke Trail: 812 mile (1,307) route across Utah and Arizona (link)
HE pot: Also HX pot, Heat exchanger pot, with outer fins to capture more stove heat (link)
Headlamp: Small light attached to a strap, usually worn on forehead or upside-down on neck (link)
Headwall: Cliff at the upper end of a cirque (link)
HEET: Brand of gasoline additive, sometimes used as alcohol stove fuel (link)
Heine pot: Tall Heineken beer can turned into a cook pot (link)
Hermit hiker: Someone who likes to hike alone (link)
HH: Hydraulic head, unreliable measure of fabric water resistance, higher is more waterproof (link)
High Sierra Camps: Permanent backcountry camps in Yosemite National Park, California, with tent cabins, bedding, and hot meals (link)
Highway tree: Fallen tree that allows cross-country hiking over brush (link)
Hiker box: Box or cabinet where thru-hikers donate unwanted stuff (link)
Hiker funk: Persistent odor of thru-hiker clothing and gear after weeks of backpacking (link)
Hiker Heaven: PCT thru-hiker hostel in California (link)
Hiker hunger: Intense hunger and enormous appetite developed while thru-hiking (link)
Hiker midnight: 9 pm (2100 hours), bedtime for many thru-hikers (link)
Hiker shuffle: Awkward thru-hiker steps after removing their backpack at the end of the day (link)
Hiker tan: Dirty skin that resembles a suntan (link)
Hiker trash: Affectionate name for thru-hikers after weeks of backpacking (link)
Hiker-friendly: Town or business that appreciates thru-hikers (link)
Hill-walking: Hiking in the hills (link)
Hitchhike: Also hitch, get vehicle rides from strangers (link)
HMG: Hyperlite Mountain Gear, company that makes backpacking gear (link)
Home free: Very close to the end of a thru-hike (link)
Hostel: Low-cost shared lodging often used by thru-hikers (link)
HST: High Sierra Trail, 49-mile (79 km) trail through Sequoia National Park to Mount Whitney, California (link)
HTD: Horizontal Tree Drip, when condensation drips from trees, then wind blows it into your face or tent vents (link)
HTH: Hope This Helps (link)
Hump: Carry a heavy load (link)
Hut: Also bothy, permanent trail shelter, often shared with other backpackers (link)
Hybrid tent: Combination single-wall and double-wall tent (link)
Hydration bladder: Also water reservoir, flexible water container (link)
Hydration system: Backpack-mounted hydration bladder, hose, and bite valve for hands-free drinking (link)
HYOH: Hike Your Own Hike, resist pressure to hike or backpack like others, not permission to break rules (link)
Hyperthermia: Dangerously high body temperature (link)
Hyponatremia: Dangerously low blood sodium, usually from drinking too much plain water (link)
Hypothermia: Dangerously low body temperature (link)
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I
IANAL: I Am Not A Lawyer, warning that legal advice might not be correct (link)
IAT: International Appalachian Trail, 1,850 mile (2,540 km) trail from the Appalachian Trail north end in Maine to the north tip of Newfoundland (link)
Icebergs: Large rocks placed in overused campsites to prevent camping (link)
ICT: Idaho Centennial Trail, 1,311 mile (2,110 km) trail across Idaho from Nevada to Canada (link)
IERCC: International Emergency Response Coordination Center, company that coordinates responses to satellite communicator rescue messages (link)
IIRC: If I Recall Correctly (link)
IMO: In My Opinion (link)
IMHO: In My Humble Opinion (link)
IMNSHO: In My Not So Humble Opinion (link)
in: Inch, about 2.5 cm (link)
Indian summer: Warm dry autumn weather, typically after a period of cooler weather (link)
inReach: Brand of two-way satellite communicators (link)
Internal frame pack: Backpack with stiff supports near your back and inside the fabric (link)
Iridium: Satellite system for messaging, phone calls, and Internet access (link)
ISO: International Standards Organization, creates and publishes standards (link)
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J
JMT: John Muir Trail, 211-mile (340 km) trail through the Sierra Nevada from Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney, California (link)
Jungle hammock: Hammock with built-in bug netting (link)
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K
Karst: Eroded limestone landscape with sinkholes, caves, fissures, and towers (link)
Katabatic wind: Wind caused by colder, denser air falling from a higher elevation (link)
Katahdin: Appalachian Trail north end on Mount Katahdin, Maine (link)
KCHBR: Kings Canyon High Basin Route, 124-mile (200 km) route in Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, California (link)
kg: Kilogram, about 2.2 pounds (link)
km: Kilometer, about 0.6 miles (link)
km²: Also km2, square kilometer, about 247 acres or 0.4 square miles (link)
Knob: Prominent rounded hill or mountain (link)
Knot: Fixed looping of a rope, guyline, or webbing; common backpacking knots include half hitch, bowline, and taught line hitch (link)
Krumholtz: Stunted and twisted trees found near treeline (link)
Kula Cloth: Brand of pee cloth (link)
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L
L: Liter, about 1 quart or 61 cubic inches (link)
LASH: Long Assed Section Hike, backpack multiple sections of a longer thru-hike (link)
Lash point: Small loop or slots on gear to attach other gear with straps or cord (link)
lb: Pound, about 454 g, exactly 16 ounces weight (link)
LCT: Lost Coast Trail, 25-mile (40 km) trail in California following the Pacific Ocean (link)
Lean-to: Permanent backcountry shelter with slanted roof and open sides (link)
Leapfrog: Repeatedly pass and get passed by the same backpackers while hiking (link)
Learning opportunity: Mistake that you can learn from (link)
Leeward: Also lee, downwind, the direction the wind is going toward (link)
Litter: Trash left in the backcountry; also long, narrow rigid basket used to carry an injured person (link)
LNT: Leave No Trace, guidelines to reduce local environmental impacts while backpacking (link)
Loft: Thickness of fluffed-up insulation, like a sleeping bag ready for use, higher is warmer (link)
Logbook: Also register, trailside paper book to record trail progress and communicate with other hikers (link)
Lollipop: Hike that includes both an out-and-back and a loop (link)
LP: Lone Peak, brand of trail running shoes (link)
Long Trail: 273-mile (439 km) trail through Vermont (link)
The Look: Thru-hiker appearance after weeks of backpacking, with confidence, determination, and a muscular, lean body (link)
Lyme disease: Serious illness transmitted to humans by tick bites (link)
L2H: Lowest to Highest, 130 mile (209 km) route from Badwater to Mount Whitney in California (link)
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M
m: Meter, about 1.1 yards or 3.3 feet (link)
MacGyver: Creatively solve a problem using available materials, from an old TV show (link)
mAh: milliamp hour, vague and confusing battery energy unit, use watt-hours (Wh) instead (link)
Mail drop: Supplies and gear shipped to a thru-hiker for resupply along the trail (link)
Massif: Distinct local group of connected mountains (link)
MATC: Maine Appalachian Trail Club (link)
MEC: Mountain Equipment Company, formerly Mountain Equipment Co-op, outdoor retailer (link)
McLeod: Combination rake and hoe for trail building and firefighting (link)
MEGA: Southbound Appalachian Trail thru-hiker, traveling from Maine to Georgia (link)
Menstrual cup: Small soft reusable cup worn internally to catch menstrual blood, instead of using disposable tampons or pads (link)
Meths: Also methylated spirits, denatured alcohol, often with methanol plus ethanol (link)
Micro USB: Small rectangular connector used for recharging batteries (link)
Mid: Pyramid-shaped tent supported by internal vertical poles (link)
Mile: About 1.6 km (link)
Mineral soil: Ground with almost no burnable material, good for stoves (link)
Misery index: Scale of 1 to 10 measuring backpacker suffering, where 10 is worst (link)
Misting: Water droplets floating inside a tent (link)
ml: Milliliter, about 0.2 teaspoons (link)
MLD: Mountain Laurel Designs, company that makes backpacking gear (link)
Mod: Modify gear after purchase (link)
Modder: Someone who modifies gear (link)
Monkey butt: Red butt inflammation and often infection (link)
Monsoon: Intense summer thunderstorm season in American southwest deserts (link)
Moraine: Ridge of broken rocks formed by glaciers (link)
Mountain money: Also shit tickets, toilet paper (link)
Mountain walking: Hiking in the mountains (link)
Mountains-to-Sea Trail: 1,175 mile (1,891 km) trail from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean through North Carolina (link)
Mouse hanger: Cord with can for hanging packs, to prevent mice from entering (link)
MPD: Miles Per Day, 1 mile is about 1.6 km (link)
MRE: Meal Ready to Eat, also Meal Rejected by Everyone, compact well-preserved military food (link)
MRT: Mogollon Rim Trail, 500-mile (800 km) route following the Mogollon Rim escarpment across Arizona (link)
MSR: Mountain Safety Research, company that makes backpacking gear (link)
Moskies: Also muskies or mozzies, mosquitos (link)
Multi-use trail: Trail with multiple uses allowed, like hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking (link)
MVTR: Moisture Vapor Transfer Rate, poorly-standardized measure of fabric ability to allow humid air to escape, higher allows more (link)
MYOG: Make Your Own Gear, instead of buying gear made by others (link)
MYTH: Multi-Year Thru-Hike, backpacking another part of one long-distance trail, year by year (link)
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N
Nalgene: Brand of water bottle (link)
National Scenic Trail: Eleven significant U.S. trails including the PCT, CDT, and AT (link)
NCT: North Country Trail, 4,800 mile (7,700 km) trail from Vermont to North Dakota (link)
Nero: Short day thru-hiking with just one night in town, nearly a zero day (link)
Nest: Hammock camper setup including hammock, suspension, tarp, and insulation (link)
Nesting: When one pot or cup fits nicely inside another (link)
Newbie: Also noob, someone new to an activity (link)
NNML: Northern New Mexico Loop, 500-mile (800 km) route through New Mexico (link)
No-see-um: Also midge, tiny biting fly; also describes tent netting with holes too small for midges (link)
NOBO: Northbound thru-hiker (link)
NOC: Nantahala Outdoor Center (link)
NOLS: Formerly National Outdoor Leadership School, non-profit school teaching outdoor skills and wilderness medicine (link)
Non-freestanding tent: Tent that needs stakes in the ground to work properly (link)
Nor'easter: Also Northeaster, intense blizzards between November and March from North Carolina to Nova Scotia (link)
NPS: National Park Service, U.S. Government agency that manages over 133,000 square miles (over 340,000 km²) “unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations” (link)
NWS: National Weather Service, U.S. Government agency that forecasts weather (link)
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O
OCT: Oregon Coast Trail, 425-mile (684 km) trail along the Pacific coast in Oregon (link)
ODT: Oregon Desert Trail, 750-mile (1,207 km) trail across the deserts of eastern Oregon (link)
Off-trail: Hiking a path not on established trails; also the developed world away from a thru-hike (link)
OHT: Ozark Highlands Trail, 320-mile (515 km) trail across northern Arkansas (link)
OIA: Outdoor Industry Association, trade group of outdoor gear manufacturers (link)
Old-growth: Ancient forest or tree not yet logged (link)
On-trail: Hiking on an established trail (link)
OP: Original Post, referring back to the first entry in a forum thread (link)
OR: Outdoor Research, company that makes backpacking gear; also Outdoor Retailer, annual trade show (link)
Oregon challenge: Thru-hike the PCT all the way through Oregon in less than 2 weeks (link)
OTC: Over The Counter, medicines like aspirin that you can buy without a prescription (link)
Out-and-back: Hike out then return on the same trail (link)
Outer tent: Rainfly on a double-wall tent (link)
Outhouse: Also privy, small permanent shelter with a hole in the ground for pooping (link)
oz: Ounce, about 28.4 g weight; also about 28.4 ml volume (link)
Oz: Australia (link)
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P
Pack it out: Leave nothing behind on a backpacking trip (link)
Pack string: Pack animals like horses or mules, tied together and led down the trail (link)
Packing your fears: Carrying more gear and food than needed due to fears and inexperience (link)
Packraft: Also trail boat, one-person, lightweight, inflatable boat designed to be carried and used by a backpacker (link)
Packsplosion: Also full yard sale, emptying a pack and spreading everything out to find something (link)
Pass: Mountain ridge low point, sometimes allowing hiking to the other side (link)
Patagucci: Nickname for Patagonia, company that makes backpacking gear (link)
PBC: Portable Battery Charger, also battery bank, USB brick, and many variations, battery pack for recharging other devices using USB (link)
PCT: Pacific Crest Trail, 2,650-mile (4,270 km) trail through California, Oregon, and Washington from Mexico to Canada (link)
The PCT Hiker’s Handbook: Influential 1992 book by Ray Jardine that re-kindled interest in lightweight backpacking, MYOG, and corn pasta (link)
PCT-L: Pacific Crest Trail email list and archive (link)
PCTA: Pacific Crest Trail Association, issues PCT permits and maintains the trail (link)
PCT Days: Annual Pacific Crest Trail festival in Cascade Locks, Oregon (link)
Peak bagging: Climbing a list of mountain peaks (link)
Pee: Liquid body waste, urine (link)
Pee cloth: Also pee rag, cloth used to wipe body after squatting to pee, then hung outside a backpack to dry (link)
Penalty potatoes: Food carried but not eaten on a trip (link)
Pepsi can stove: Also tin can stove, alcohol or solid fuel stove made from an empty can, like cat food, tuna, or beer (link)
PEU: Also PE, polyether urethane, waterproof fabric coating (link)
PF: Plantar fasciitis, painful foot condition (link)
PFD: Personal Flotation Device, lifejacket (link)
PhD: Posthole Digger, hiker who enjoys postholing through the snow (link)
Piezo igniter: Device that makes electric sparks by clicking a button to light stoves (link)
PIF: Pay It Forward, encourage someone you helped to help someone else in return (link)
Pinhoti Trail: 335 mile (539 km) trail in the Appalachian Mountains through Georgia and Alabama (link)
Pit zips: Jacket armpit zippers allowing more ventilation (link)
PITA: Pain In The Ass, obnoxious person or task (link)
Platypus: Brand of hydration bladders (link)
Playing in the high energy zone: Engaging in outdoor activities with dangerous natural forces, like hiking precarious ridge tops or cornices, or running challenging river rapids (link)
PLB: Personal Locator Beacon, one-time-use device that sends rescue signals through government satellites (link)
Plunge step: Also heel step, hike down a snowy or crumbly slope heel-first, digging in with each step (link)
PNT: Pacific Northwest Trail, 1,200-mile (1,900 km) trail from the Rocky Mountains in Montana to the Pacific Ocean in Washington (link)
PO: Post Office, where thru-hikers send and receive mailed packages (link)
Point: First person in a group of hikers, responsible for finding the way (link)
Polycro: Also polycryo, lightweight plastic sheeting used as tent footprints (link)
Poop: Also poo, semi-solid body waste, feces, excrement, manure (link)
PORE: Point Reyes National Seashore in California (link)
Posthole: Plunge feet and legs deep into snow while hiking (link)
Pot cozy: Insulation around a pot, designed to keep food warm (link)
Potable water: Water clean enough to drink (link)
Potty trowel: Small one-handed shovel for digging cat holes (link)
POUS: People Of Unusual Size, backpackers who are taller than most, adapted from a Princess Bride movie scene (link)
Power hiker: Backpacker who covers many miles per day, often in the dark (link)
PRD: Pocket Rocket Deluxe, an upright canister stove made by MSR (link)
Prescribed fire: Also controlled burn, fire set under supervision to prevent larger wildfires (link)
pt: Pint, about 473 ml, exactly 2 cups or 16 ounces volume (link)
PU: Polyurethane, also polyester urethane, waterproof fabric coating (link)
PUD: Pointless Ups and Downs, also Mindless Ups and Downs, trail segments that seem to climb and drop for no reason (link)
Puffy: Thick down or synthetic insulated jacket (link)
Pulaski: Combination axe and adze for trail building and firefighting (link)
Pull the trigger: Decide to buy a piece of gear after lengthy thinking (link)
Purist: Appalachian Trail thru-hiker planning to pass every white blaze (link)
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Q
q: Quart, about 946 ml, exactly 2 pints, 4 cups, or 32 ounces volume (link)
Quad: Also quadrangle, named USGS topographic map covering a rectangular area (link)
Quilt: Hoodless, bottomless sleeping bag (link)
Quiver: Personal collection of similar backpacking gear, like several backpacks (link)
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R
R-value: Standardized measure of sleeping pad insulation, higher is warmer (link)
r/Ultralight: Reddit online ultralight backpacking community (link)
Rain gear: Clothing worn for rain protection, including hat, jacket, gloves or mittens, and pants (link)
Rain shadow: Area with much less rain on the downwind side of a mountain range, often forming deserts (link)
Rainbow blazer: Appalachian Trail thru-hiker who hikes different-colored blazed routes (link)
Rainfly: Also flysheet, waterproof tent fabric designed to shed falling rain and snow (link)
Ramen bomb: Meal combining ramen noodles and instant mashed potatoes (link)
Ray Day: Best date to hike out of Kennedy Meadows on a northbound PCT thru-hike, considering Sierra Nevada snow depths (link)
Ray-way: Backpacking philosophies of author Ray Jardine (link)
Real world: Backcountry or civilization, depending on context, like “back in the real world ...” (link)
Red flag warning: National Weather Service forecast of high fire danger (link)
Red snow: Snow colored by red algae, not safe to eat or drink (link)
REI: Recreational Equipment Inc, very large U.S. outdoor retailer (link)
Relo: Relocated trail segment (link)
Remote canister stove: Stove attached to a short hose, with the hose attached to a fuel canister (link)
Repeat offender: Someone thru-hiking the same long distance trail again (link)
Resupply: When thru-hikers pick up more supplies (link)
RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation, memory aid for treating injuries like sprains and broken bones; instead of compression, use support like tape or splints (link)
Ridge runner: Person employed to hike back and forth on trail sections, educating hikers and enforcing rules (link)
Ridgeline: Line following the highest points of a ridge; also a tight guyline above a hammock to maintain desired shape (link)
Ridgerest: Brand of closed-cell-foam sleeping pad that rolls up (link)
Rime ice: Ice formed on trees and other surfaces when windblown water droplets freeze (link)
RMC: Randolph Mountain Club (link)
Rock garden: Part of a trail or river with lots of rocks sticking up (link)
Rock hop: Hop from rock to rock across a river or stream attempting to keep dry (link)
RSN: Real Soon Now, eventually or someday (link)
RUA: Restricted Use Area, backcountry area with special rules (link)
Ruck: Meetup of outdoor enthusiasts (link)
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S
S2S: Sea-to-Summit, company that makes backpacking gear (link)
Safety meeting: Group smoking marijuana together (link)
SAK: Swiss Army Knife, brand of pocket knife with other tools (link)
SAM splint: Brand of shapable but rigid support for suspected broken bones (link)
Santa Ana wind: Strong, hot, dry offshore winds in Southern California (link)
SAR: Search and Rescue, the team and process of finding people and rescuing them (link)
Scat: Animal poop (link)
Scouting: Inspecting the route ahead from a high point along a trail or river; also a worldwide youth movement teaching outdoor activities including backpacking (link)
Scramble: Climb a rugged area using hands and feet, but not rock climbing (link)
Scree: Fist-sized rocks on slopes, difficult to hike over (link)
Seam tape: Special tape added to tent, backpack, or rainwear seams for waterproofing and reinforcement (link)
Second breakfast: Extra morning meal due to hiker hunger (link)
Second dinner: Extra evening meal due to hiker hunger (link)
Section: Portion of a longer thru-hike, usually between towns or major trailheads (link)
Section hiking: Backpacking sections of long trails like the PCT, CDT, or AT (link)
SEKI: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park in California (link)
SEND: Satellite Emergency Notification Device, satellite communicator that sends rescue messages through commercial satellites (link)
Shakedown: Gear inspection and suggestions from a more experienced backpacker (link)
Shakedown hike: Backpack trip to test gear and skills before a longer hike (link)
Shale: Loose flat rocks with sharp edges, often difficult to hike over (link)
Shell: Uninsulated outermost clothing (link)
Shelter: Tent or tarp; also small three-sided building for backcountry camping (link)
Shelter rat: Hiker who camps only in permanent shelters. (link)
Shenandoah: Shenandoah National Park in Virginia (link)
Shin-splints: Shin pain from overuse and inflammation (link)
SHR: Sierra High Route, 195-mile (314 km) route above timberline in the Sierra Nevada, California (link)
SHS: Shaky Headlamp Syndrome, annoying lighting changes as your head moves while wearing a headlamp (link)
SHT: Superior Hiking Trail, 310-mile (500 km) trail following the shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota (link)
Shuttle: Paid ride between trailhead and town (link)
Sil/PU: Fabric coated with with silicone on one side, polyurethane on the other (link)
Sil/sil: Fabric coated with with silicone on both sides (link)
Silnylon: Silicone-coated nylon fabric (link)
Silpoly: Silicone-coated polypropylene fabric (link)
Single-track: Narrow trail (link)
Single-point hammock: Also portaledge, hammock that hangs from one overhead point, mostly used for rock climbing (link)
Single-wall: Tent with just one fabric layer (link)
Skipping: Bypassing a section of trail (link)
Skunked: When cars do not stop while hitchhiking by the side of a road (link)
Skyhook: Mythical device for suspending items in midair; also a rock climbing device (link)
Slackpacking: Sending a backpack ahead while hiking without it (link)
Sleep system: Sleeping bag or quilt plus sleeping pad (link)
Slogging: Difficult hiking on a muddy trail (link)
Slot canyon: Long narrow channel eroded into the earth, typically in the southwestern U.S. (link)
SMD: Six Moon Designs, company that makes backpacking gear (link)
Smoke shifter: Mythical device for moving campfire smoke, often requested as left-handed or right-handed (link)
Smokies: Part of the Appalachian Mountains on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina (link)
Snag: Standing dead or dying tree; also large chunks of wood in a river (link)
Snot rocket: Plug one nostril and blow mucus forcefully out the other (link)
Snowpack: Compressed snow layered on the ground, usually from multiple storms, higher snowpack is deeper (link)
SNP: Shenandoah National Park in Virginia (link)
SOBO: Southbound thru-hiker (link)
Social trail: Also use trail, unofficial trail formed by repeated walking (link)
Softshell: Wind and water resistant insulated jacket or pants, not waterproof (link)
Soloing: Backpacking alone (link)
SOS: Emergency signal requesting help or rescue (link)
Spectra: Brand of UHMW polyethylene fibers (link)
Speed hiking: Hiking rapidly down a trail pursuing a new record (link)
Spork: Combination spoon and fork in one utensil (link)
SPOT: Brand of satellite phones and satellite communicators (link)
Springer fever: Desire by previous thru-hikers to return to the Appalachian Trail (link)
Springer Mountain: Appalachian Trail south end in Georgia (link)
Spruce trap: Spruce tree covered by deep snow, dangerous to fall into (link)
sq mi: Also mi² or mi2, square mile, about 259 ha, exactly 640 acres (link)
Square meter: Also m² or m2, about 1.2 square yards or 10.8 square feet (link)
Square yard: Also yd² or yd2, about 0.84 square meters, exactly 9 square feet (link)
Stats: Statistics and details (link)
Stealth camping: Camping well off trail at an unofficial site, while practicing Leave No Trace (link)
Stick snake: Stick that jumps up and hits you when you step on it (link)
Stile: Steps passing over a fence that permit hikers to pass, not livestock (link)
Stoveless: Backpacking without a stove, usually eating cold food (link)
Stupid light: Gear too light to function well; also not carrying enough to reach goals or stay safe (link)
SUL: Super Ultra Light, base pack weight less than 5 pounds (2.2 kg) (link)
Summit: Also peak, top of a mountain (link)
Sun cups: Uneven snow surface like the inside of a giant egg carton, hard to hike over (link)
Suspension: Straps, ropes, and hardware needed to hang a hammock between two anchors (link)
Swag: Lowest connection between two ridges (link)
Swale: Dip in a trail designed to shed water (link)
Swamp ass: Sweaty butt, can cause chafing and monkey butt (link)
Sweep: Last hiker in a group, makes sure no one falls behind (link)
Switchback: Sharp trail turn on a slope to make climbing and dropping easier but longer, and reduce trail erosion (link)
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T
Talus: Large broken rocks that usually do not move as you step on them (link)
TAR: Therm-a-Rest, brand of backpacking gear (link)
Tarn: Mountain lake or pond scooped out by a glacier (link)
Tarp: Simple overhead fabric shelter with no floor or doors (link)
tb: Tablespoon, about 15 ml (link)
TBD: To Be Determined, specification or answer will be supplied later (link)
TBI: Traumatic Brain Injury, serious head injury typically caused by a hard impact (link)
TD: Trail Designs, company that makes backpacking gear (link)
Teardown: Completely disassemble a piece of gear, often documenting the process with photos (link)
Tehachapi challenge: Hike the Pacific Crest Trail from Hiker Town to Tehachapi in less than 24 hours (link)
Ten essentials: Short list of items day hikers should carry for safety (link)
Tenkara: Minimalist fly-fishing without a reel (link)
Tent body: Inner fabric layer of a double-wall tent (link)
Tent platform: Flat wooden stage or dirt pad for camping (link)
Three-season: Gear and skills for spring, summer, and fall backpacking, loosely defined (link)
Thru-hiking: Long, multi-day backpacking that requires resupply and usually starts and ends in different places (link)
Ti: Titanium (link)
Ticks: Tiny blood-sucking parasites that can transmit Lyme disease and other serious infections (link)
TNF: The North Face, company that makes backpacking gear (link)
Tog: Clothing insulation measurement, about 0.645 clo or R 0.57 (link)
Togs: Clothing (link)
Top quilt: Quilt used on top of a hammock camper or groundling (link)
Topo: Topographic map with contour lines of constant elevation; also a brand of trail running shoes (link)
Torso pad: Short sleeping pad just long enough to reach from head to butt (link)
Town clothes: Clothing worn by thru-hikers while in town (link)
Town gut: Belly pain after thru-hikers eat too much in town (link)
TP: Toilet Paper, used to wipe your butt after depositing poop, instead of using a bidet (link)
TPW: Total Pack Weight, combined mass of everything carried in a backpack (link)
Trail angel: Someone who provides trail magic to thru-hikers (link)
Trail clearing: Removing trail obstacles for easier passage (link)
Trail Days: Annual Appalachian Trail festival in Damascus, Virginia (link)
Trail gorilla: Volunteer who helps maintain the PCT (link)
Trail legs: Stronger, almost tireless legs of thru-hikers after weeks of backpacking (link)
Trail magic: Unexpected help or supplies provided to thru-hikers (link)
Trail muffin: Horse manure on a trail (link)
Trail name: Nickname traditionally given to a backpacker on their first thru-hike (link)
Trail provides: Thru-hiker belief that when they really need something, it will appear (link)
Trail runners: Lightweight trail-running shoes used instead of boots (link)
Trail spice: Leaves, twigs, and dirt in backpacking food (link)
Trail spikes: Flexible set of metal spikes that attach to trail shoes for hiking on ice-covered trails (link)
Trail town: Hiker-friendly towns near popular long-distance trails (link)
Trail virgin: First time thru hiker (link)
Trailhead: Trail segment start and end, typically a parking lot or road (link)
Tramily: Trail family, group of thru-hikers who bond and travel together (link)
Tramper: Hiker, especially one who continues despite bad weather (link)
Traverse: Move horizontally across a slope; also travel the length of a mountain range, island, or named region (link)
Tread: Bottom of a shoe or boot that contacts the ground; also the surface of a trail (link)
Treadway: Constructed surface of a trail (link)
Treeline: Maximum elevation or latitude where trees strop growing, replaced by shorter plants (link)
Trekking: Hiking, usually long-distance hiking (link)
Trekking poles: Also hiking poles or hand wands, hand-held poles used for hiking stability and pushing forward (link)
Triage: Sort multiple sick or injured patients into a few priority levels (link)
Triangulation: Determine position using compass bearings to three landmarks like mountain peaks (link)
Triple Crown: PCT, CDT, and AT (link)
TRT: Tahoe Rim Trail, 175 mile (281 km) trail around Lake Tahoe in California (link)
ts: Teaspoon, about 5 ml (link)
TSA: Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Government agency with rules about what you may not take on an airplane, enforced through inspections at airports (link)
TST: Theodore Solomons Trail, 271 mile (437 km) trail in the Sierra Nevada, roughly parallel to the John Muir Trail at lower elevations (link)
TT: Tarptent, company that makes backpacking gear (link)
Turnpike: Also highway or freeway, heavily used trail (link)
Type 1 fun: Traditional fun, enjoyable during the experience (link)
Type 2 fun: Miserable experience that seems like fun later, worth repeating (link)
Type 3 fun: Terrible experience, usually requiring rescue or emergency medical care, avoid repeating (link)
TYT: Tahoe-Yosemite Trail, 186 mile (299 km) route from Lake Tahoe to Yosemite National Park in California (link)
Tyvek: Brand of waterproof polyethylene fabric (link)
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U
UHMW: Also UHMWPE, Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene, very strong, lightweight, plastic fibers used in fabrics and guylines, like Dyneema and Spectra (link)
UL: Ultralight, base pack weight less than 10 pounds (4.5 kg) (link)
Underquilt: Quilt hung just below a hammock for insulation from cold air (link)
Understory: Shorter trees and bushes growing beneath a taller forest (link)
Undulating trail: Climbs up and down like a series of waves. (link)
Unobtainium: Mythical substance that solves all problems (link)
Upright canister stove: Stove attached directly to the top of a fuel canister (link)
USB-A: Rectangular connector used for recharging batteries (link)
USB-C: Oval connector used for recharging batteries (link)
USFS: United States Forest Service, U.S. Government agency that manages over 300,000 square miles (over 780,000 km²) for multiple uses (link)
USGS: United States Geological Survey, U.S. Government agency that makes topographic maps and measures river flows (link)
UV: Ultraviolet, invisible sunlight that can tan skin and cause cancer (link)
UV-C: Ultraviolet light that can sterilize water (link)
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V
VBL: Vapor Barrier Liner, waterproof inner clothing or sleeping bag liner used in temperatures below freezing (link)
Vestibule: Sheltered tent entrance, often used to store gear (link)
Virga: Visible rainfall that evaporates before reaching the ground (link)
Vitamin I: Ibuprofen, non-prescription medicine for pain and inflammation (link)
Vortex: Place that thru-hikers find hard to leave, like a town, restaurant, or hot springs (link)
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W
W: Watt, standard unit of electrical power, not energy (link)
WAAS: Wide-Area Augmentation System, satellite system that improves GPS accuracy in North America (link)
Waffle-stompers: Heavy boots with lugged soles that leave waffle-like patterns on trails (link)
WAG bag: Waste Aggregation and Gelling bag, used to carry poop out of heavily used backcountry areas (link)
Walk-in: Developed campsites reserved for backpackers or bicyclists (link)
Walk-up: Easy mountain summit, no more than Class 2 climbing (link)
War wounds: Injuries earned while hiking (link)
Washout: Also blowout, portion of trail destroyed by flooding or erosion (link)
Water math: Calculating how much water to carry between possibly unreliable sources (link)
Water report: Water source information posted online by other thru-hikers, especially on the PCT and CDT (link)
Waterbar: Log or rock barrier that directs water off a trail to prevent erosion (link)
Waterproof: Fabric or container that resists the entry of water (link)
Watershed: Landscape that channels all the rain, melted snow, and groundwater feeding into one stream or river (link)
WEBO: Westbound thru-hiker (link)
Weekend warrior: Also weekender, backpacker camping for 1 to 4 nights (link)
WEMT: Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician, training and certification for backcountry medicine (link)
Wet out: Saturated waterproof breathable fabric that stops breathing, then condensation builds up inside (link)
WFA: Wilderness First Aid, training and certification for basic backcountry first aid (link)
WFR: Wilderness First Responder, also woofer, training and certification for advanced backcountry first aid (link)
Wh: Watt-hour, standard unit of electrical energy, not power (link)
White blaze: Blaze that marks the one true Appalachian Trail (link)
White blazer: Thru-hiker following only white blazes on the Appalachian Trail (link)
Whites: White Mountains of New Hampshire (link)
Whoopie sling: Lightweight hammock suspension adjusted using hollow rope sliding through itself (link)
Widowmaker: Dead tree or large limb that could fall and injure or kill a backpacker (link)
Wilderness area: Highly protected roadless U.S. public lands, over 170,000 square miles (over 440,000 km²) (link)
Williwaw: Blast of cold wind dropping from the mountains (link)
Wind direction: Compass direction the wind blows from, so an east wind blows from the east to the west (link)
Wind layer: Outer clothing to protect from wind (link)
Windchill: Additional cooling caused by wind (link)
Windchill factor: Lower felt temperature computed from measured temperature and wind speed (link)
Windjacket: Jacket to protect from wind (link)
Windpants: Pants to protect from wind (link)
Windward: Upwind, the direction the wind is coming from (link)
WM: Western Mountaineering, company that makes backpacking gear (link)
WMI: Wilderness Medicine Institute, now NOLS Wilderness Medicine, teaches backcountry first aid and medicine (link)
Wonderland Trail: 93-mile (150 km) trail around Mount Ranier in Washington (link)
WPB: Waterproof Breathable, fabric that might be waterproof and breathable (link)
WRHR: Wind River High Route, 95-mile (153 km) route across the Wind River mountain range in Wyoming (link)
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X
XUL: Extreme Ultra Light, base pack weight even less than SUL (link)
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Y
Yard sale: Backpacking gear unpacked and spread out, usually for drying (link)
yd: Yard, about 91 cm, exactly 3 feet (link)
Yellow blaze: Yellow center-line on a highway (link)
Yellow blazer: Someone who hitchhikes around trail sections (link)
Yellow snow: Snow colored by urine, not safe to eat or drink (link)
YKK: Brand of zippers (link)
YMG: Yama Mountain Gear, company that makes backpacking gear (link)
YMMV: Your Mileage May Vary, worked for me, might not work for you (link)
YNP: Yosemite National Park in California (link)
Yogi-ing: Letting strangers offer food and drink without asking directly, like the cartoon character Yogi Bear (link)
Yo-yo: Hike a long trail in one direction, then turn around and hike back to the start (link)
Yurt: Round semi-permanent tent-like shelter (link)
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Z
Z Lite: Brand of closed cell foam sleeping pad that folds up (link)
Zero day: Day with no miles thru-hiked, two nights in the same town for rest and resupply (link)
Zero-mile: Beginning of a trail that might not be at a trailhead, like Springer Mountain for the Appalachian Trail (link)
Zoleo: Brand of two-way satellite communicators (link)
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0-9
10 by 10: 10 miles (about 16 km) by 10 am, strategy for hiking more distance per day (link)
20, 25, 30, 40: Planned mileage today, like “hiking a 30”, 1 mile is about 1.6 km (link)
2000-miler: Successful Appalachian Trail thru-hiker (link)
911: Emergency phone number for the U.S., Canada, and several other countries, like 999 or 112 elsewhere (link)
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Still haven’t found what you’re looking for?
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Suggestions
Cannot find it after looking carefully? Found an error? Want to add more? Send suggestions to:
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About
Answering “What does that mean?” in clear, simple words.
Designed for backpackers in America unfamiliar with some expressions, which might be regional or trail-specific.
These are not comprehensive definitions, and many entries have other meanings, depending on context.
All trail lengths are approximate and subject to change.
Goals:
- Short, simple, high-level descriptions
- Combine similar jargon with similar descriptions
- Write around most gender references
- Be positive
Created by Rex Sanders, CC BY-SA 4.0
868 entries as of 2023 January 10
https://backpackingjargon.com