The Backpacker's Glossary

“Anorak - An early model pack frame made of wood, bolts, and cotton webbing. Distinguished by unpadded shoulder straps and lack of hip belt. see hut and svea{}

Azimuth - A respiratory problem attributed to long-term exposure to dry-season U.S. Forest Service roads.

Balaclava - 1. A triangular, three-stringed instrument used especially in Russia. Often played at base camp gatherings. 2. A rich pastry common to Greece and Turkey, often carried by European backpackers.

Bear Bag - A camp game in which contestants attempt to hoist a heavy container of food onto a fragile tree limb without breaking the limb. The winner must place the bag a sufficient distance from both the trunk of the tree and the ground. Winner is often a bear.

Blaze - In mythology and folklore, marks direction of trail by means of broken twigs, bread crumbs, etc.

Cairn - The name of nearly every male hiker?s girlfriend.

Cagoule - A night creature thought to inhabit rainy deciduous forests.

Chock - High-energy food supplement tablets, often carried as trail snacks. In rock-climbing, a soft, easily crumbled, light colored form of rock.

Crampon - Painful contraction of leg or foot muscles especially in cold weather.

Ensolite - A small, lightweight, battery-operated lantern. Operates especially well in brightly lighted living rooms.

Fly - Ventilating device commonly installed in lower body garments.

Gaiters - A diminutive and affectionate term for genus Alligator. regional colloquialism common to southern U.S.{}

Glissade - A non-carbonated, unsweetened beverage made from berries of various wild plants. Developed in 1939 by the late Toxin Gliss (1909-1939).

Gusseted Tongue - Painfully folded and cracked condition believed caused by excessive consumption of freeze-dried food.

Hip Belt - A suspension device which, to relieve pressure on the shoulders, concentrates the entire pack weight on two one-inch square areas of wearer's hipbones.

Hut - [from German hutte] A guttural cry traditionally uttered as the pack is hoisted from the ground. In folk medicine this is believed to be a preventative for hernia.

Latitude - A condition of lethargy and listlessness experienced by cold weather backpackers. Symptoms are most severe immediately preceding preparation of morning meal.

Loft - A hypothesized physical phenomenon attributed to various arrangements of substances used as fillings in garments and especially sleeping bags. Widely considered to be mythology.

Lug Sole - Deterioration of foot tissue caused by prolonged wearing of heavy hiking boots in hot conditions while carrying heavy loads.

Moleskin - A dermatological condition occurring principally in rainy climates and caused by continued wearing of wet clothing. see svea{}

Norwegian Welt - Localized swelling and abrasion of upper ankle or lower legs at boot-top level. see Ome Daiber{}

Ome Daiber - A general unit of measure used to indicate amount of leather seal in container, rate of exchange, quantity of liquid left in canteen, fuel remaining for stove, etc. Term derived from Ome Sven Daiber of Norway, first hiker to suffer moleskin see separate entry{}. Daiber also claimed the first ascent of the Fluegelhorn.

Optimus - One inclined to take the hopeful view (that blisters will not form, rain will stop, the summit is near, etc.).

Orienteering - Specialized hiking and climbing techniques developed by Japanese mountain clubs, used mainly in the Far East.

Pemmican - 1. A web-footed water bird with a long, pouched bill. 2. The scat thereof.

Petzoldt - A hard, salty dough often shaped into knots. Lightweight but low in food value.

Rain Chaps - English hikers noted for utter disregard of wet weather conditions.

Ragg Socks - Derogatory term for well-used stockings following an extended trip.

Rappel - Technique used to avoid undesirable trail companions. see voyageur{}

Stream Crossing - Random, capricious, and entirely unnecessary misdirection of a trail route provided by trail developers for entertainment of said developers.

Svea - An expletive associated with distasteful aspects of the wilderness experience.

Switchback - An amusing trail game intended to startle the hiker following the player. Requires overhanging branches, greenbrier vines, etc. Safety goggles considered unsporting. Any number can play.

Topo - no accurate example believed to exist{}

Trailhead - A person addicted to offroad foot travel. This condition is, unfortunately, incurable and worsens as the activity increases.

Trowel - A cry of anguish or warning. Similar to "on your left", "rock", and "falling".

Understory - A modestly-stated account of a hiking or climbing expedition in which actual wind speeds, temperatures, distances, etc. are reported accurately.

Viagra - Sturdy, nearly indestructible soles for hiking boots.

Voyageur - A term of derision designating unattached males among coed or female hiking groups. see rappel{}”

“Rucksack - A fungal disease of the male genetalia common among hikers who cut weight by leaving out a change of underwear on multi-day hikes in humid or damp conditions.”

“Tent Stake - A stick inserted into a hole used to keep the tent moving. . . I mean from moving.

If the tent is a rockin', don't come a knockin'!”

“Temporary Measure--the repairs on all of my gear. In some cases it is my gear. I've used some of these Temporary Measures for 20 years now.”

“Ursack - Bear-sized squeeze tube for the mush that once was your solid food for a week, and is now the bear's version of Gu.”

“trekking poles - hikers from Warsaw

titanium - condition caused by anxiety about the sexual orientation of one's hiking partners

GoreTex - candidates from the 2000 presidential election

two man tent - tent large enough for one adult or two preschool-age children”

“OmaHiker, love that 'titanium' definition! LMAO!”

“LOL”