I thought it might be fun to blog a little about the common phrases one hears in AT circles (AT as in Appalachian Trail). I am including an unofficial official glossary of the more frequent terms or phrases you'll hear said on the trail, in a hostel or shelter area, or even online in hiker forums.
2,000 Miler - one who has hiked the entire length of the AT , no matter how long it takes
AT - Appalachian Trail
ATC - Appalachian Trail Conservancy which oversees the entire AT and also serves to educate and inspire
Aqua Blazing - taking a water route via canoe instead of the trail (common in VA)
Blowdown - tree or other large debris that has fallen across the trail
Blue Blazing - taking side trails or walking the road other than hiking on the AT
Flip flop - a hiker that starts at Harper's Ferry and hikes to Katahdin, returns to Harper's Ferry and hikes to Springer. Can be done the opposite way also or at a different starting points.
Half Gallon Challenge - a trail tradition where you eat a half gallon of ice cream to mark the halfway point of your thru hike, usually occurs at Pine Grove Furnace State Park in PA.
Katahdin- the norther terminus of the AT
Lean-to - what New Englanders call shelters
Mail Drop - boxes of food and other goodies mailed to hikers at hostels, outfitters, and post offices.
Nearo Day - a hiker hikes only a few miles to get to a town and then takes the rest of the day off
NOBO - northbound,that is, from Georgia to Maine
Pink Blazing - some guys hike the trail looking for a girlfriend or wife
Section Hiker - hiking the AT is segments rather than the whole trail all at once. It can be one day or weekend or weeks.
Slackpacking - hiking without carrying your full backpack
SOBO - southbound, that is, from Maine to Georgia
Springer Mt - the southern terminus of the AT
Taking a Zero - no hiking done that day
Thru Hiker - one who hikes the entire AT in one year, either NOBO or SOBO
Trail Angels - people who do unexpected acts of kindness on the trail such as offering rides, their home, food, etc.
Trail Magic - unexpected, good things that happen to a hiker while they are hiking. I also like to call it Trail Blessings.
Trail Maintainer - those hardworking individuals of trail groups that help maintain the trail, build and maintain shelters, etc
Weekenders - those out for the weekend, ether hiking or backpacking
Yellow Blazing - taking other means of transportation other than hiking the AT - i.e. hitching a ride
Yogi-ing - the ability to cause people to do things for you or give you things (like food) without you asking for it directly.
Yoyo-ing - completing one thru hike, then turning right around and starting another
If you know of any terms I should include, let me know.
Fulfill Your Hiking Dream! Here to help fellow hikers by offering wisdom, ideas, and lessons learned from a two-time AT North and South, Long Trail, Foothills Trail, Allegheny Trail, Colorado Trail, Florida Trail, BMT, Pinhoti, Arizona, Shenandoah Nat'l Park 500 miler completions. Former AT Ridgerunner for six years. Author and Speaker on Hiking and Backpacking. 12,000 miles plus
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