Date: 2014-01-18
To: Trail Lingo You Need to Know
Miles today: 0.0

Those of you that are trail aficionados may want to skip this entry. For friends and family that are newbies to the AT trail culture, I need to define some of the lingo you will read about in upcoming journal entries. Here goes:White blazes--2-by-6 inch paint swatches that mark the ATBlue blazes-- similar paint swatches that mark a side trail. Hikers take these to water sources and to access and exit the AT in places. A blue blaze is not a good thing when you come across one and you are expecting a white blaze. It means you have not paid sufficient attention and have taken a wrong turn, and need to retrace your steps. Blue blaze hiking is additional mileage that is not part of the 2,185 miles to the terminus. From what I have read from other thru-hikers, these blue blaze miles become an irritant. Aren't I hiking enough miles already, without adding additional ones that don't even count?!NOBO--a northbound hiker as opposed to a SOBO. Many more hikers start in Georgia in March and April, than start in Maine in June and July.PUD--pointless ups and downs (an extended, difficult trail section) often with no view at the top as a rewardThru-hike--more or less continuous hike of the entire trail in a calendar year, as opposed to section-hike (complete the AT in sections over a period of years).Trail magic--serendipitous things that happen on the trail, often related to strangers sharing food or drink. Hikers live for trail magic. Just when you think you can't take another step, you round a bend and find a cooler filled with coke and snack size bags of Doritos!!! My husband will be providing additional trail magic every few weeks with pick ups at trail intersections, and rides to hotels, grocery stores, laundromats, restaurants, and outfitters.Trail angel--person who helps hikers by providing food, drinks, or rides for no fee. I will have a number of trail angels, friends along the trek that have offered to provide trail magic. Carl, my husband (trail name, Houdini) will be my trail angle extraordinaire. Vitamin I--ibuprofen or other pain medication. I will have to balance my intake with my desire to still have normal liver function by the time I reach Katahdin. I consider myself as having a relatively high pain tolerance, but aside from childbirth, I likely have not had this tested to the extent it will be on the trail. One of my mantras is, "Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional."Zero day--a day off from hiking. Zero days are usually taken in towns, but occasionally in a shelter if the rain or snow is so intense that you cave, and just hunker down in a shelter for the day. A zero day in town means two consecutive nights in a bed Nero day--a low mileage day of hikingSlackpack--to hike without a pack which is sent ahead for pickup. I am hoping to have a few opportunities to slack pack when I meet up with friends who live near the trail and can take my pack ahead. Switchback--a zigzag trail, built to ease passage up and down a steep grade. I haven't decided if these are good or bad. My knees may like them, but they do add mileage. The AT is not known for providing the most direct route from Springer to Katahdin.So there you have it. If you have a good memory, you won't have to refer back to this entry. If not, hopefully you'll remember that this entry is here to refer back to.