Here is the AT trail Jargon that I have learned through out my first 400 miles in!!
White Blaze: the painted white marks indicating the AT.
Blue Blaze: A blue painted marker that is trail coming on to or off the AT .(commonly water or shelters).
Yellow Blaze: walking, hitch hiking, or driving on the road/highway for part of the trail.
Aqua Blaze: to float or paddle parts of the trail.
Brown Blaze: to stop for a poop typically at a shelter which you don’t intend to stay at.
Pink Blaze: To alter your course in pursuit of a romantic interest.
Trail name: a name that all through hikers acquire and predominantly use on the tail (i.e. I’m wash bear).
NOBO: North bound.
SOBO: South bound.
Slack Packing: Hiking without a pack.
Hitch: Hitch hiking into town (usually for a resupply).
Stealth Camp: Camp in a non-designated area.
Puffy: Down jacket or sweater
Tramily: Trail family-Usually a group of hikers you are close with.
The Hiker Hunger or Hiker Hunger: The ability to consume food with no end in sight(usually occurs after 1-2 weeks).
Camp Shoes: Shoes that you wear in camp to air out sore feet (crocs are my shoes of choice).
Zero: To not hike any miles for a day. Usually these are taken when you are in a town to relax sore muscles and feet.
NOC: pronounced “knock”-Nantahala outdoor center.
Town Cloths: Cloths kept clean for when you’re doing laundry in town (so your not in a laundry mat in your underwear).
Trail Magic: Kind deeds such as cooking or leaving or other wise providing food, water and other necessities to hikers.
Trail Angels: People who perform trail magic.
More to come…
