While I don’t get to scratch my hiking itch often enough in my home of the Sunshine State, there is nothing that gets me fired up quicker than packing for an upcoming trek. Being back out on the trail brings out my rustic & quieter side, as I absolutely love easing into adventure mode & that comes with some of the following code words:
Scree – loose volcanic ash remnants that make a trek challenging
Wash – prevalent in Southern Utah, some of my favorite hikes are thru these alleyways carved out from years of rushing flood waters
Scramble – having to scale & jump around boulders to reach a breathtaking overlook
Crampons – icy climbing conditions are typically insurmountable without attaching metal spikes to your boots
Cairns – many parks have rocks piled in stacks along the route to identify tricky routes for guests
Bushwhacking – referring to treks through overgrown foliage maybe on less used trails or those that aren’t professionally maintained
Blaze – this a trail marker usually either painted on rocks or trees to show the correct path
Slot canyon – mesmerizing winding trails that floods have sculpted between towering cliffs
BLM land – Bureau of Land Management areas that are free for the public to camp on because they are our lands
Cowboy camping – really roughing it by sleeping on the ground without a tent or any type of shelter
Finally LNT – leave no trail is a set rules & etiquette to leave the grounds better than you found it & minimizing your impact on the environment:
- Plan ahead & prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of others
Don’t let the lingo deter you from opting outside. Whatever your reason, any escape into nature should be treasured & celebrated to the fullest.
FearlessAdventures 