Hiking Terminology 101 | cairns&carrots

As a newbie hiker, I kept hearing and reading certain words over and over again, and finding myself googling them to see what they meant. The same thing happened when I first started running!

In case you are reading about one of my hiking adventures and I write something that makes no sense, I put together a short list of hiking term definitions that might be kind of helpful!

bivy
Short for bivouac. Refers to a small, one-person shelter that is lightweight, waterproof, and durable. Usually single walled and used when solo hiking/camping.

break trail
In winter, to hike in the lead position, forcing one’s way through untrammeled snow. It is far easier to walk in the tracks of someone else who has already “broken” the trail.

cairn
The stone piles often erected along a trail above tree line, to serve as an indicator of trail direction.

col
A pass between two mountain peaks or a gap in a ridge, usually saddle shaped.

crampon
A set of metal spikes to be strapped to one’s boot, to prevent slipping on ice.

gaiter
A nylon, cloth or sometimes leather covering that extends from the soles on ones’ boots to anywhere from the ankle to the knee, designed to prevent debris from entering the boot.

peak-bagger
A person who strives to continuously hike the summits of various mountains. In NY, this may be someone who endeavors to hit all 46 high peaks in the Adirondacks.

post-hole
While hiking, punching through soft terrain, such as snow or very loose earth, usually with each step or with hiking poles.

scramble
Typically refers to the act of climbing over rock fields or rough terrain.

shoulder season
Travel season between peak and off-peak seasons, especially spring and fall.

spruce trap
When snow is deep enough that it covers the top of a spruce tree, beware. Since there will be voids in the snow pack, you can fall into those voids and get caught.