If you're not familiar with hiking you may want to learn the lay of the land. Hikers definitely speak their own language sometimes! This page is a work in progress, feel free to email me with additions!
PUD - Pointless Up and Down - In simple terms, the point of hiking a mountain is to get to the top or to gain elevation. A PUD causes one to gain elevation to then quickly lose elevation rendering all the effort totally pointless.
SPUD - Steep Pointless Up and Down - The Appalachian Trail in Vermont is full of these
Privy - A toilet, latrine, or hole in the ground with some sort of enclosure located in the middle of the woods, usually at a tent site or shelter.
Traverse - A point-to-point hike. Not a loop. Not an out-and-back.
Out-And-Back - A hike where one hikes out to a destination then retraces their steps back to the originating point of the hike. Not a traverse. Not a loop.
Loop - Hint: Not a traverse. Not an out-and-back.
Trailhead - The area where a trail begins and usually where one parks the car (but not always).
Switchback - A road or trail that zig-zigs up the side of a mountain by sharp turns making a more moderate ascent/descent route. Typically not found in the mountains of New England.
Col - The area of depression between two peaks in a mountain range.
Trail Magic - ANYTHING that unexpectedly benefits a hiker, usually during a long distance hike. Coolers of soda, fresh baked goods, rides into town, BBQ'd food, candy, coolers of beer, ice cream, etc, etc....
Trail Angel - The person who delivers trail magic
PUD - Pointless Up and Down - In simple terms, the point of hiking a mountain is to get to the top or to gain elevation. A PUD causes one to gain elevation to then quickly lose elevation rendering all the effort totally pointless.
SPUD - Steep Pointless Up and Down - The Appalachian Trail in Vermont is full of these
Privy - A toilet, latrine, or hole in the ground with some sort of enclosure located in the middle of the woods, usually at a tent site or shelter.
Traverse - A point-to-point hike. Not a loop. Not an out-and-back.
Out-And-Back - A hike where one hikes out to a destination then retraces their steps back to the originating point of the hike. Not a traverse. Not a loop.
Loop - Hint: Not a traverse. Not an out-and-back.
Trailhead - The area where a trail begins and usually where one parks the car (but not always).
Switchback - A road or trail that zig-zigs up the side of a mountain by sharp turns making a more moderate ascent/descent route. Typically not found in the mountains of New England.
Col - The area of depression between two peaks in a mountain range.
Trail Magic - ANYTHING that unexpectedly benefits a hiker, usually during a long distance hike. Coolers of soda, fresh baked goods, rides into town, BBQ'd food, candy, coolers of beer, ice cream, etc, etc....
Trail Angel - The person who delivers trail magic