As promised, here’s a list of Appalachian Trail lingo.  It’s as if we have our own language out there. These are just a few of the terms. I’ve listed them in no particular order. I listed them as they came to mind. As you can see, the very first one has to do with food.  Imagine that–a hiker thinks of food first. Anyway, this is just a reference page in case you see some of this terminology in future posts, you’ll know what I’m talking about…..maybe.

1. AYCE: All You Can Eat.

2. SOBO: Southbound.

3. NOBO: Northbound.

4. GAME: Hikers going from GA to ME.

5. MEGA: Hikers going from ME to GA.

6. Bear Bag: A bag used by hikers to hang food out of reach of bears. Usually in a tree over a branch that’s at least 10′ high and 6′ away from the trunk.

7. Bear Box: Some states provide metal boxes for hikers to store food overnight as opposed to hanging the food in a tree.

8. White Blaze: A 2″ x 6″ vertical marking painted white at eye level on trees or other objects to mark the trail.

9. Blue Blaze: A 2″ x 6″ vertical AT marking painted blue indicating a side trail leading to a view, shelter, water source, etc.

10. Double Blaze: A marking indicating caution for an upcoming turn or switchback or intersection.

11. Garvey: Double offset blazes indicating direction of a turn by the top blaze.

12. HYOH: Hike Your Own Hike. Fast, slow, big miles, little miles, etc.

13. LNT: Leave No Trace. Pack in, pack out. Do not disturb environment.

14. Maildrop: A method of resupplying while hiking. Usually made by hiker before the hike begins.

15. Mountain Money: Toilet paper.

16. Nero: A very short hiking day.

17. Zero: A day in which no miles are hiked.

18. PUDS: Hiker shorthand for “pointless ups and downs”.

19. MUDS: Hiker shorthand for “mindless ups and downs”.

20. Purist: A hiker who wants to pass every white blaze.

21. Privy: A trailside outhouse.

22. Section-hiker: A person attempting to complete the trail doing a series of section hikes over a period of time.

23. Thru-Hiker: A person completing the trail from start to finish in one section within a 12 month period.

24. Flip Flop: A person hiking in one direction to complete part of the trail and then hiking in the opposite direction to complete the other portion of the trail. Flip floppers often start in Harpers Ferry, WV and hike north to ME and then go back to WV and hike south to GA.

25. Stealth Camping: Camping where there is no indication that you are there or that you were ever there. Camping where there is no shelter or resources.

26. Slack-packing: Hiking leaving your pack behind at a hostel or hotel carrying little to no weight. Hikers often slack pack for a day here and there when near a town as a way to still complete miles, but getting a break from the weight of the pack.

27. Cowboy Camping: Sleeping without a shelter. Sleeping under the stars.

28. Deadfall: Trees that have fallen across the trail.

29. Hiker Box: A box found at a hostel where hikers leave unwanted food or items for other hikers to take.

30. Hostel: An establishment along the trail that has bunks, showers and sometimes resupplies for hikers.

31. Shuttle: A ride from trailhead to town and back, usually for a fee.

32. Shelter: A three-sided wooden or stone structure usually with a nearby water source and privy.

33. Stile: Steps built over a fence to allow hikers to pass but not livestock.

34. Trail Angel: Someone who provides unexpected help or food to hikers.

35. Trail Magic: Unexpected, but welcomed, help or food.

36. Trail Name: The name given to a hiker by other hikers on the trail. This name is used exclusively on the trail and in trail registers.

37. Vitamin I: Ibuprofen. The most popular anti-inflammatory used on the trail.

38. Web Face: What happens to the first hiker on the trail in the morning. He/she clears the trail of spiderwebs.

39. Widow Maker: Dead trees that have the potential of falling on hikers tents.

40. Yogi-ing: The good-natured art of letting food be offered without asking.

41. WFS: Work for stay. Some hostels and huts allow hikers to work in exchange for a bunk as opposed to paying.

42. Skunked: Failing to get a car to stop while hitch hiking.