Hiking terms that don't exist, but should

[blacknblue]

Quasimodo (v), to walk hunched over due to significant snow depths, often resulting in a backpack brushing snow off of branches and onto the hiker's head.

E.G. 1, I had to Quasimodo that section of the trail back in March.

E.G. 2, Peakbragging is not worth Quasimodoing, especially when accompanied with down goes Frazier and blowbacks.

 

[moonrock]

"gnatellites": a swarm of tiny insects (biting or not) circling your head in warm weather.
Either invented or heard by my friend September, as she was through-hiking the AT.

 

[DreamFarmer]

Words for smells ?

I don't have a word for it yet, but there ought to be one for the
special smells emanating from hikers bodies after a couple days on the trail.

And another one for the smell of hiking boots.

 

[DrewKnight]

Spruce Poisoning

Words for smells ?

I don't have a word for it yet, but there ought to be one for the
special smells emanating from hikers bodies after a couple days on the trail.

And another one for the smell of hiking boots.

I call it, "eau de trail", though there needs to be a special classification for the impenetrable funk polypro takes on after a few sweaty days followed by evenings of woodsmoke, crusting by the fire.

How about "spruce poisoning"?

Proposed usage, "MichaelJ nearly died of spruce poisoning after following DrewKnight, who repeatedly let go of small branches on their bushwhack."

 

[iceNsnow]

there are similar versions of this word

"lip-whipped": what happens when trees snap back and sting you in sensitive places

sample sentence: As she was bushwhacking to the summit of Nippletop yesterday, the lip-whippings of the witch-hobble and then the dense stickly spruce caused her to lose her smile.

 

[dug]

Backspackle: - The appearance of mud all over your calves from splashing in the mud. Happens a lot when biking.

In a sentence - That trail was so muddy, I was covered in backspackle by the time I got back to my car.

 

[1HappyHiker]

Trailongation

TRAILONGATION: A mysterious process which causes trails to become longer for the return trek than they were for the outbound trek.

Sample Sentence: Due to trailongation, we hiked out with our headlamps on.

 

[Toe Cozy]

Trailgate- v. hiking to close to the person in front of you. If you do this you will often get lip whipped and it's your own fault. Back off!

Sample sentence: I always let him go ahead because he trailgates.

I suppose Trailgate could also be used to describe any kind of undercover, undesirable shenanigans that take place on the trail and come to light through investigative questioning by suspicious third parties. I could see there being lots of Trailgates on long distance hikes.

 

[prino]

it's a healthy addiction

at least we have a good support group !

we meet on weekdays and weekends, if anyone needs help

Totally agree! I'm ready for some counselling myself!

 

[KayakDan]

"Spencer Island"
When we're totally trashed,and have no idea how much further it is. I'ts "just past Spencer Island."

From a paddling trip many years ago,in which we paddled about 7 miles upstream looking for an island on our chart. Only to find out the island had been washed away in a flood.It was listed as our campsite for the night.

 

[JohnL]

Years ago I came upon a list of humorous backpacking terms by Rich Fawcett, some of which I have listed here. You can now find his complete list at The Krummholz Zone.

Ascender - The last member of a climbing party or line of hikers.

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

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

Gorp - See Svea.

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

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}

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

Rappel - Technique of avoiding undesirable trail companions. {see voyageur}

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

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

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

JohnL

 

[Solitary]

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

Uh, actually, I thought that .... no, better not go there.

 

[cbcbd]

Uh, actually, I thought that .... no, better not go there.

I think you're thinking of "bushwack", which comes after the trailhead.

 

[wardsgirl]

Toilet Papernoia

Definition: When seeing someone's used toilet paper on the side of the trail, the fear that the next hiker along will think that you were the one who discarded it there.

Sample sentence #1:

When I saw that mess on North Twin Spur, I got toilet papernoia, so I pushed it under some leaves and sticks.

Sample sentence #2:

There was so much TP on the Trail in Harriman, I never once got toilet papernoia.

 

[Zer0-G]

one more ....!!!!

Shlerpa : noun, occupation; One who carries water for pay.

Usage: After considering the expense of hiring a Shlerpa to carry his water, Pesta sold his boots and gave up hiking.

 

[McRat]

'Exit Wounds' - the usually minor blisters that could have been easily prevented but weren't... because you were almost done with your hike and decided not to stop.

 

[1HappyHiker]

I was recently sent a list of “words” that were created by taking an actual dictionary word, and altering it by adding or changing a letter, and then supplying a new definition. Here are just a few of the “words” from the list which could have some relevance to activities surrounding hiking.

Bozone : The substance surrounding some people that prevent ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.

Caterpallor: The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you're eating.

Sarchasm: The gulf between the person of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.

Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.

Karmageddon: It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's, like, a serious bummer.