Need to know "Hiker Terms"

Hey there!

     I realized that sometimes I mention things that only those with some knowledge of the hiking community will understand. So, this post is to teach and clear up any questions about any terms used on the trail!

• Trail Magic: When somebody intentionally goes out of their way to help out hikers. This sometimes comes in the form of a simple cooler with beer or sodas, or an all out tailgating and grilling party at trailheads.

• Trail Angel: Someone who goes out of their way to provide help to hikers. Whether it be trail magic, shuttles, etc. These people make the trail the wonderful place it is and would not be the same without them.

• Trail Vision: When a hiker is staring at the trail while hiking and not seeing anything else. Either trying to avoid stumbling on roots and rocks, or just "zoned" out. Many times to see views or wild life around you, you have to stop and look so you don't slip and fall on some of the many rocks or roots.

• Yogi'ing: When a hiker is good at "letting" strangers offer them services without actually asking them.

• Blaze: A rectangle marker on trees and rocks and sometimes sidewalks that marks the path of the trail. The AT famously uses white blazes, blue blazes will mark paths to water or sometimes just side trails.

• Cairns: Stacks of rocks used to mark the trail in place of blazes when there are no trees or rocks.

• Yellow Blazing: When a hiker uses a vehicle to gain progress on the trail. the name refers to the dotted yellow line in the road. (Most frown upon this in a long distance trail, as you are skipping trail).

• Section Hiker: Someone who's goal is to hike the entirety of a long distance trail in sections. Whether it be 2 day or 2 week or 2 month sections it doesn't matter. Eventually after years, the trail will be done for them.

• Cowboy Camping: When you camp with only your sleeping bag and pad laid out on the ground under the stars, no tent or tarp.

• Switchback: A trail design that allows for a less steep and more gradually ascending trail. It will cut back and forth across a mountain until it reaches the top, rather than going straight up. This design helps prevent water from eroding the mountain away and leave no trace practice prohibits cutting through them.

• Zero Day or just "Zero": A day that no miles on trail are hiked at all, sometimes people spend them in shelters but mostly they spend them in towns relaxing.

• Nero Day or just "Nero": A day in which "nearly zero" miles are hiked on the trail, usually under five.

There are many more terms used on the trail and I may add some more of them but these are the basics that you should know!