Date: 2007-02-02
To: Prep #74--Intro To Trail Jargon/Facts
Miles today: 0.0

Whew....finally got moved and am still unpacking boxes. Honestly, I'd be ok w/just keeping the boxes sitting in their appropriate areas (i.e. office stuff sitting in the space where the office should be) and just living out of them. Sure would make clean up easy...and it would never look cluttered either! The day we moved it was a high of 26 I think and snowing. Balmy compared to our forecasted high of 6 on Monday. So I thought I'd just provide some statistical info and term info today about the AT. I'm sure I won't remember everything right now, so if anyone thinks of a term or acronym that I've forgotten, feel free to let me know and I'll come back in and add it. The AT and its hiking community aren't unlike other mini-societies. Certain terms, slang, and ideologies eventually form around the passion that a community shares, so for anyone who is not a trail journal addict, some of these terms may be new to you. So here goes:(I stole this first part from Nicole's journal...I thought it was nicely put. This info came directly from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy's website)Approximately: 5,000,000 footsteps 300,000 2x6 inch white blazes 2,175 miles 180 days 33 (or so) pounds on my back 14 states 8 national forests 6 national parks 5-6 months 1 change of clothingSome terms I may use in my journaling are:NOBO--northbounder, a person hiking from south to northSOBO--southbounder, a person hiking north to southGAME--Georgia to MaineMEGA--Maine to GeorgiaPUD--pointless ups and downsPrivy--basically a 3 sided outhouse (some have great views I hear!)Slackpacking--generally you leave all of your gear (except a day pack) at a hostel or other secure place and someone shuttles you "x" amount of miles up the trail and you hike back to the beginning point. This allows you to get in high miles, carry little weight, and spend another nite in town.Shelter--usually a 3 sided wooden structure that can serve as your home. You just throw your sleeping pad and bag in there and call it home for the night.LNT--Leave No Trace, this is the ethical philosophy hikers are expected to adopt, in that you leave no trace behind so the people following you do not know that you were ever there, it is a person's personal responsibility and part they take in keeping natural areas preserved for all to enjoyHYOH--Hike Your Own Hike, another mantra that is repeated throughout the community. It basically means don't ever do something you don't want or don't feel comfortable doing just because others are. It is your hike, and you should hike it your own way.Blue Blazing--There are several other trails and sights to see off the AT. Blue blazes mark these places and it is the individual's choice to go see it or not. Yellow Blazing--Walking along roads (yellow lines) instead of on the trailTrail Magic--when something is offered or happens unexpectedly and at the exact moment that you really needed it Trail Angel--people who help out hikers, be it offering a ride, a place to stay, food, etc. Stealth Camping--this has many different definitions to people, but to me it means that you are camped in an area that is not a designated campground. If it's a place where it is technically illegal to camp, then you make every effort to go un-noticed for the night. Regardless of legality, LNT policies are especially important here (but actually always). Ridge Walking--when the trail takes you basically on the top edge (or ridge) of a mountain and you hike on the ridgeThat's all I can think of now, but I'll probably add more as they come to me. Have a great day everyone! 26 days left of work (well technically, 18 actual days of work) and only 38 till my feet are touching Springer! I'm almost numb at this point.