33 Useful Hiking Terms and Phrases To Help You Be a Better Hiker
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Loading... - Sarah Williams
- 28 Oct 2022
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Perhaps your interest in hiking has just piqued or you hit local trails casually a few times a year. Or you may even have aspirations of becoming a Triple Crowner (someone who has completed the Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and Pacific Crest Trail). But no matter which situation best describes you, you’ll probably realize that the world of hiking can be a bit overwhelming at first, even though it seems like it’s just walking.
From determining what gear you truly need and finding local hiking groups and buddies to learning trail etiquette and taking proper safety precautions, there’s a lot of information to sort through. The good news is that this can all be easily broken down, making it very approachable and easy to learn in steps.
The first step to becoming a better hiker is simply learning the hiking terminology. Like many other outdoor pursuits, hiking has its own culture in many ways, including having some unique lingo. More than just for fun, however, knowing a few basic hiking terms is essential for several reasons.
Learning hiking vocabulary can help you evaluate trail conditions and difficulty, get appropriate hiking gear, be a more environmentally responsible hiker, and in some cases, even save your life. After all, how could you possibly describe your location in an emergency if you don’t know the difference between frontcountry and backcountry or know how to identify switchbacks, scree, or a saddle?
This guide for beginners and intermediate hikers is a great start, and can immediately make you feel more prepared on the trail.
Hiking terms to describe terrain and surroundings
Access road
At the most basic level, an access road is simply the road you take to access a trailhead. Usually, however, access roads mean non-paved or dirt roads designed for forest, park, or service vehicles to reach hard-to-access areas. Read More...
