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Terminology
The following are some basic terms you might need to know as you read through this BLOG. It's all new to me too. I soon discovered that like any other community, professional or social, there is a vocabulary unique to the culture. The following are excerpts from the Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers Companion 2004. Our thanks to "The Appalachian Trail Long Distance Hikers Association." 2,000-miler - A hiker who has hiked the entire length of the Appalachian Trail. A.T. - Common abbreviation for the Appalachian Trail. Appalachian Trail - From Katahdin in Maine to Springer Mountain in Georgia, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail wanders the ridges and valleys of the Appalachian mountain range for more than 2,173 miles, Meandering through 14 states, 8 national forests, 6 other units of the national park system, more than 60 state parkes, state forests, and wildlife areas. Also called A.T. and the Trail. Bear Bait - Either a person new to hiking or the slowest hiker in the group. Blaze - Method of marking a trail, generally a 2"x6" painted area on a tree, rock, or utility pole that indicates trail direction. On the AT, the blazes are painted white. Blue Blaze - Blue colored blaze used to indicate other trails, side trails to points of interest, and trails to springs, shelters or campsites, water sources, or other features that are not actually on the AT. Used as a verb ("I decided to blue-blaze"), it denotes hiking side trails or routes other than the AT. Campsite - An overnight camping area that can be unofficial or official, and may include tent platforms or tentpads, or in the White Mountains, shelters. Eau d'hiker - The smell of a hiker four days out is undefinable, so we are not even going to try. Flip-flop - To hike a section of the trail in one direction, then go ahead by car, bike, bus, train or plane, and hike back in the other direction until you get where the hike left off; sometimes practiced by thru-hikers to beat imhospitable weather, especially at Katahdin. Full-service hut – AMC hut that provides blankets and meal service by paid staff. Half-Gallon Club – Membership is granted when a hiker consumes an entire half gallon of ice cream at a single sitting. This feat is most often, although not always, attempted at the camp store near the Ironmasters Mansion hostel to celebrate reaching the halfway point of the AT. Hostel – An establishment usually offering bunks, showers, and sometimes meals or kitchen facilities to hikers and travelers. It is usually low cost or may even operate on contributions. Hikers are encourages not to be cheapskates and support the hostels that support hikers. Hut – In Shenandoah National Park of Virginia, a shelter, like normal Trail shelters. Or, in the White Mountains National Forest of New Hampshire, a large enclosed primitive lodge, operated by the Appalachian Mountain Club under contract with the National Forest Service, staffed by a croo, or caretakers and offering a bunk and meals or kitchen privileges; no extra charge for crowds. LNT (Leave No Trace)® - Backwoods ethics that promote minimal-impact camping and hiking. Long-distance Hiker (LD Hiker) – A hiker on a hike of 50 miles or more. Maildrop – Food or sundry re-supplies sent via USPS, UPS, or other carriers. NOBO – Northbound hike. A hiker traveling north is headed NOBO. Register – Technically, a notebook in a shelter or place along a trail in which hikers leave messages for other hikers or for maintainers. Actually, it is the repository of some of the funniest, most poignant literature and art in the western world. Warning: If you read every entry in every register you find, a hiker could never reach Maine. Self-service hut – AMC hut that provides kitchen equipment but no cooks. Shelter – Usually a three-sided wooden or stone structure that affords protection from weather; sometimes referred to as a lean-to. Generally, most thru-hikers prefer to spend the night in these rather than setup a tent at a campsite, considering the simplicity of staying the night. SOBO – Southbound hike. A hiker traveling south is headed SOBO. Terminus – The end or beginning of a trail. Town Clothes – Clothes carried specifically for use in towns, either to present a better image or to wear while laundering everything else. Many hikers use their rain gear while laundering to avoid the weight of extra sets of clothes. Some hikers keep town clothes in their bounce box. Trail Angel – Person who seeks to help hikers by providing rides, food, or drinks for no fee. Trail Crew – A group of volunteer Trail workers, working under the direction of paid leaders, who do maintenance, relos, rockwork, and other major projects. Joining a trail crew for a day or two is a great way to give back to the Trail and enhance the treadway for those who follow. At the very least thank them for their hard work and dedication. Trailhead – The point in which a trail begins. Also, the point at which a trail meets a road. See also road crossing. Trail Magic – Originally, a term used to describe a situation in which the “universe” seems to provide just what is needed when it’s needed most. It could be a wildlife sighting that renews a hiker, or a break in the clouds providing the first good view in 800 miles, or a section-hiker which excess food after a raccoon stole a hikers food bag and faces three hungry days until a re-supply. Trail Name – Nickname that people call themselves or earn when hiking, by which they are known among other hikers. White Blaze – White-colored blaze used to indicate the Appalachian Trail or AT. Yellow Blaze – Term used to denote the yellow center-line that is painted on a highway. 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 (from whose name the term originates.) Send this Page to a Friend!
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