Sponge's "Trail Lingo" (or Glossary)

As you explore the world of hiking and backpacking, you'll come across some unique words, expressions and "lingo" used by trail enthusiasts.

Here is your handy-dandy "cheat sheet"!

Base Weight - The weight of your pack and everything in it - MINUS the items you consume, like food and water. Things you wear are also not usually included in base weight.

Big Three - A backpack, tent and sleeping system. These are usually the three most important, expensive and heavy items a hiker carries.

Blaze - A painted mark on a tree or rock, signifying you're still on the correct trail. These are usually in one solid color - like white or blue. Side trails (see "Spur Trails" below) have different colors to distinguish them.

Bounce Box - A package of supplies a hiker receives in town - then 'bounces' ahead by mailing it to their next planned stop.

Camel Up - To drink a lot of water quickly, so it doesn't have to be carried. Often done in morning before starting a hike, or before grueling climbs.

Cat Hole - A hole created by a trowel, spade or tent spike to poop in. This should be 6 inches deep and at least 200 feet from the trail and potential water sources.

Cowboy Camping - Sleeping outside without bothering to pitch a tent. Usually a desperation move.

Dirty Girls - Gaiters, or fabric foot coverings, that slip over your shoes to protect you from mud, pebbles, bugs, etc.

Double Blaze - A line used to tie down part of a tent. Sponge trips over these more than he's like to admit.

Footprint - A thin, separate sheet designed to go under a tent to protect its floor from extra wear and tear. Many hikers use a custom cut of Tyvek building wrap as a footprint.

Gap - A low spot on a ridge between mountains. Often where roads cross or trailheads are located.

Guyline - A line used to tie down part of a tent. Sponge trips over these more than he's like to admit.

Hiker Box - A box of freebies available for hikers. Found at hotels, campgrounds or hostels - these usually have leftover gear, food and supplies.

NOBO - Northbound. The most common direction to go on most trails.

Privy - An outhouse at campsite - most often just a shed with composting toilet.

Rain Fly- A separate covering placed over a tent to make it waterproof. Usually used only when rain is expected, this is tied down tightly with separate stakes, to avoid unneeded internal condensation.

Scat - Animal poop. Identifying it can be an art - or valuable...if it is from a bear.

Section Hiker - A hiker tackling just a specific section of a long trail. This requires a smaller time commitment and less resources.

Slackpacking - Having your pack and/or gear brought by a person or service to your destination, so you don't need to carry it. This can be expensive, but if you have physical limitations, it can make hiking more manageable.

SOBO - Southbound. A less popular direction to head - but also less crowded as a result.

Spur Trail - A side trail extending from the main one - usually to a point of interest, like a lookout point or waterfall. They can also lead to town, state parks or campgrounds.

Stealth Camping - Pitching your tent or hammock in an area where there is no campground. Sometimes this is legal, sometimes not.

Switch Back- Zig-zags in a trail's ascent/descent that make it more manageable...and longer.

Thru Hiker - A hiker attempting to hike a long trail in one continuous attempt. Depending on the length of the trail, this can take months.

Trail Angel- A gracious volunteer who assists hikers with gifts of assistance, water or food - usually in challenging stretches of a trail where access to services might be challenging.

Trail Magic - What the deeds of Trail Angels (see above) are known as. Hikers helping other hikers- such as leaving behind extra fuel, can also exhibit this.

Triple Crown - The 3 major hiking trails: the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail and Continental Divide Trail.

Switch Back- Zig-zags in a trail's ascent/descent that make it more manageable...and longer.

Vestibule - A small space in front of a tent created by staking down the rain fly. This is often used to store gear.

Widowmaker- A dead branch hanging over a tent site. If it breaks and falls, it could kill the unlucky hiker below.

Zero Day - A rest day in which you hike zero miles - often spent in town resupplying and having a few high-calorie meals.