MyOAN! Backpacking Jargon

We want to provide you information on every buzzword, lingo, term and jargon you've ever wanted to know about backpacking. If we are missing a definition or two email them so we can add them. The directions are simple - just click on the letter your suspect the term begins with and scroll from there.

A

Acclimation - a technical term for getting use to a higher altitude than you are accustomed.

Altimeter - a gadget that will show you what our altitude is at any given point.

Altitude Sickness - This will happen if one goes up, to quick, in altitude before your body is adjusted to the present altitude.

Anorak - a pullover jacket that only zips to the sternum.

B

Balclavla - a pullover hat that is open in the face area, but pulls down and covers your clavicle.

Bear Country - an area known to accommodate bears.

Bivouac - an unexpected camp.

Blaze - markings that designate a specific trail. Found at intervals on well traveled trails.

Blaze, Double - this trail marking signifies an odd turn in the trail.

Booties - a type of down shoe that is worn in the winter to keep the feet nice and toasty.

Bushwack - when one travels off the main trail

C

Caches - a container that is filled with provisions that have been previously dropped off so that it can be used at a later date.

Cagoules - a type of rain covering for yourself and pack. Can also be used as a primitive tent.

Camp Shoe - a shoe worn around camp after a long day of hiking in trail boots.

Cat hole - a hole that is dug and used as a latrine.

Cement-block Blister Boxes - boots that do not seem to break in and create monster blisters on your feet.

Closed Cell Mattress - a mattress that once inflated will keep a loft until deflated.

Cordura - a type of material, used in more expensive packs and clothing, that is very durable and abrasion resistant.

Cowboy Coffee - coffee grounds that are poured generously into a steaming cup of hot water with no cream or sugar. This coffee will definitely put hair on your chest.

Cut Through - a non-designated trail used to shortcut obstacles or mileage. This is a no-no for Backpacking.

D

Day Pack - a pack that is generally used for day use only. Usually no more than 1,000 cubic inches in volume.

Dehydration - not having enough fluids in the body for proper function. This can lead to some serious complications.

Difficult Trail - a trail that means someone moderately athletic would have a rough time on this given trail. This is only a guideline not a rule.

Down - the fluff growing next to the skin of waterfowl. A very good insulator for controlling body heat.

Duff - the first 3 or 4 inches of ground material.

E

Easy Trail - a trail that means someone moderately athletic would have an easy time on this given trail. This is only a guideline not a rule.

External Frame Pack - a pack that has its skeletal structure on the outside of the main compartment.

F

Fanny Pack - a pack that wraps around the waist. Used during short excursions close to camp.

Fat Lighter - a type of dead pine that has a high concentration of flammable sap. Should be used sparingly as it is rare to find in the wilderness.

Fire, Lean-to - a type of fire structure where the main fire is leaning onto a log, rock or other item. This type of fire yields a great warmth on the fire side of the log or rock.

Fire, Log Cabin - a fire that uses crissed-crossed wood to promote burning. This type of fire yields a lot of flame.

Fire, Pit - this type of fire is dug into the ground. It should be no more than a foot deep and the topsoil saved to replace afterwards. This fire is a temporary one, usually for cooking.

Fire, Tee-Pee - this is the most common fire. The wood is leaned into the center of a circle, like an Indian teepee. This fire yields warmth and flame.

Fisherman's Knot - a knot used to connect two ropes together.

Fleece - a type of material that wicks water away from the body. Should not be made from 100% cotton.

Food Bag - a stuff sack that is specifically for camp food. Needs to be sturdy enough to be hauled up so that critters can not get into it during the night.

Freeze Dried - a way to preserve food. Very lightweight, but costly.

G

Gaiters - basically rain pants for your boots. They wrap around your leg, below the knee and over the top of your boots.

Giardia - a protozoan parasite that is found in some mountain and city streams. It causes a nasty intestinal disturbance. It can be filtered out or boiled away.

Gorp - a mixture of peanuts, raisins, chocolates, coconut, etc. God for a quick bite on the trail and can be any mixture of goodies you want.

H

Head Lamp - basically a flashlight that sits on your head.

Heat Stroke - when the core body temperature rises above 98.6. If not treated early enough, can become serious and even fatal.

Hip Stabilizer - a strap found on most modern packs that is located on each hip. When cinched down it brings the load of the pack closer to the hips, thus taking the weight off of the shoulders.

Hotspot - an area, usually on the foot, that may become a blister if not treated immediately.

Hydrophilic - water loving backpacker

Hydrophobic - water hating, such as a rabid animal.

Hypothermia - when the core body temperature drops below 98.6. If not treated early, it can become very serious and even fatal.

I

Insulation - the trapping and harnessing of body heat to keep ones self warm.

Internal Frame Pack - a type of backpack that has its skeletal structure on the inside of the main compartment.

Iodine Tablet - a tablet that is used to make water drinkable.

J

Jerky - any type of meat that has been dehydrated. A very good trail food.

Jump-up - a section of trail/land that is very steep and usually rocky.

K

L

Latrine - an area that a group designates to be the primitive restroom. Usually a dug trench that is covered over with the saved soil.

Layering - clothing that is chosen for water wicking abilities and insulation abilities. That can be taken off or put on according to the weather. There are 3 basic layers: Base Layer-Long underwear that wicks water (hydrophobic), Middle Layer-Clothing that traps and holds heat (insulation), and Outer Layer-This layer protects you from the elements (waterproof).

Love Nest - two sleeping bags that can be zipped together creating a cozy area for two sleeping together or to be used to help re-warm a hypothermic victim.

Lumbar Pad - the pad on a backpack that cushions your lower back.

M

Moderate Trail - a trail description that means someone moderately athletic should have a so-so time on the given trail. This is only a guideline, not a rule.

Mummy Sleeping Bag - a type of bag that is contoured to the shape of the body. Its weight to insulation value is high.

N

O

One Pot Wonders - meals that can be made in one pot, but taste like a five course meal.

Open Cell Mattress - a ground pad that stays aloft.

P

Parka - the outer layer of the layering system. Usually is waterproof.

Pot Holder - a metal or cloth device that allows one to hold the cooking pot, and not burn the fingers.

Q

R

Rectangle Sleeping Bag - a type of bag that has lots of room inside. The weight to insulation value is medium.

Ridge - an area, on a mountain, where two slopes come together and creates a high point and slopes downward from the peak that continues the length of the two slopes.

Route - a specific way to travel on any given terrain.

Ruck Sack - Basically like a day pack. This term is used most commonly by mountaineers.

S

Saddle - where two ridges meet or the low point between two slopes.

Scramble - hiking on uneven and sometimes rocky terrain. One may have to use hands for balance.

Seam Seal - the art of making sure seams of a tent, bivy bag, etc. are waterproof.

Shock Cord - this is the elastic cord in the middle of tent poles that keep them together.

Short-cutting - see Cut Through, this is a no-no for backpackers.

Shoulder Stabilizer - a strap found on most modern packs that is located on each shoulder. When cinched down it brings the load of the pack closer to the shoulders, thus taking the weight off of the hips.

Shoulder Yoke - this is the point where the shoulder straps attach to the backpack. The shoulder yokes should be adjusted so that the shoulder straps are just off of the shoulders themselves.

Spring - this is where water, from the water table, is flowing freely out of the ground. They are unreliable in dry weather.

Sternum Strap - a strap that connects the two shoulder straps together. It brings the weight of the pack towards the center of your torso.

Sweat Lodge - an Indian structure that is used to talk to the spirit world.

Switchback - a section of trail that takes a hard angle back up/down a steep slope. This type of trail can make a difficult trail into a moderate one. One may also find short cuts around switchbacks, do not use the short cuts.

Synthetics - a man made material that is used to supplement the insulation of down.

T

Tarp - a section of waterproof material that can be used to dine on or tent under. Very versatile in backpacking.

Tent Fly - the waterproof material that lays over the tent opening to keep it waterproof.

Tent, 2 Season - a tent that is used primarily in hot and dry areas.

Tent, 3 Season - a tent that can be used in hot and dry areas as well as wet.

Tent, 4 Season - a tent that is primarily used during the winter. It can handle the weight of snow and is very durable.

Tent, A-frame - this tent is shaped like the letter A.

Tent, Bivy-sack - this is a one person tent. Only the person and a few essential items can fit inside.

Tent, Dome - this tent is round at the base and curves to meet in the middle over the head.

Tent, Free Standing - a type of tent that does not need tent stakes to stay up right, it has a metal frame on the inside.

Tent, Lean-to - this tent uses only a tarp. One side is up and the other side is staked down to the ground.

Tent, Pyramid - this tent has no floor. It is similar to an Indian Tee-Pee.

Tent, Tunnel - this tent is not freestanding, but can handle high winds if positioned correctly.

Tents, Hub - this type of tent uses a hub system to centralize the tent poles for ease of set up.

Tinder - the base fuel for a fire. Similar to Fat Lighter. Burns quickly.

Topo - short for topographic. A type of map that shows the contour and elevation of the land.

Trail Head - The beginning of a trail.

Trowel - a small shovel used to bury or dig cat holes/latrines, among other things.

Truckers Knot - a knot used to tighten tent guidelines down.

U

V

Vapor Barrier - does not allow water vapor to move through. Used inside sleeping bags to add extra warmth.

Vestibule - an area on some tents that is attached but not a part of the main sleeping area. It is used to store wet gear or muddy boots, but keeps them out of the elements.

W

Water Filter - a device used to cleanse water on the trail.

Wicking - the act of pulling water away from the body.

Widow Maker - a tree or limb that has a possibility of falling on a hiker.

Windchill - the temperature after taking into consideration of how fast the wind is blowing.

X

Y

Yogi - the art of swindling food from tourists.

Z