Hiking Terms
This glossary defines non-branded hiking terminology: navigation and orientation, trail and terrain, safety and shelter, and gear and load management. GPS and GNSS positioning technology is defined on the Sports Sensors glossary page rather than here, since this page covers wayfinding technique, not the hardware behind it.
Quick answers
What is aiming off in navigation?
Aiming off is deliberately taking a bearing to one side of a target rather than straight at it, so that reaching a linear feature tells you which direction to turn.
What is altitude sickness (AMS)?
Altitude sickness, or acute mountain sickness, is a set of symptoms including headache, nausea, and fatigue caused by ascending to altitude faster than the body can acclimatise.
What is aspect (slope aspect)?
Aspect is the compass direction a slope faces, a factor that affects snow retention, vegetation, and microclimate on a route.
What is an attack point in navigation?
An attack point is a clear, identifiable feature used as the final reference before navigating the last short stretch to a less obvious destination.
What is a back bearing?
A back bearing is the reciprocal of a bearing, calculated by adding or subtracting 180 degrees, used to check position or navigate back the way you came.
What is a backpack (hiking)?
A backpack is the carrying pack used to transport gear on a hike, ranging from small daypacks to large multi-day expedition packs.
What is a bailout route?
A bailout route is a pre-identified alternative path off a route, planned in advance in case conditions deteriorate or the original plan cannot be completed.
What is base weight in hiking?
Base weight is the weight of a hiker’s carried gear excluding consumables such as food, water, and fuel; total pack weight adds those consumables back to give the full on-the-day load.
What is a bearing in navigation?
A bearing is the direction from one point to another, expressed as an angle measured from north.
What is a bivvy?
A bivvy is a minimal, lightweight shelter, typically a waterproof bag around a sleeping bag, used for emergency or ultralight overnight protection without a tent.
What is bushwhacking?
Bushwhacking is travelling off-trail through dense vegetation without the benefit of a marked path.
What is a cairn?
A cairn is a human-made pile of stones used to mark a route or summit, particularly where a trail is faint or absent.
What is a catching feature in navigation?
A catching feature is a linear landmark positioned beyond an intended target, used to confirm that a hiker has gone too far if they reach it.
What is a col (saddle)?
A col, also called a saddle, is a low point on a ridge between two higher peaks, often used as a pass between valleys.
What is a compression strap on a backpack?
A compression strap is a strap on a backpack used to cinch down its volume, stabilising the load and reducing shift during movement.
What is consumable weight in hiking?
Consumable weight is the weight of items used up during a trip, such as food, water, and fuel, added to base weight to calculate total pack weight.
What is a contour line?
A contour line is a line on a topographic map connecting points of equal elevation, used to read terrain shape and steepness.
What are coordinates in navigation?
Coordinates are a location expressed as a pair of values within a defined reference system, such as latitude and longitude.
What is a datum in mapping?
A datum is the reference model of the Earth’s shape that a map’s coordinate system is built on, and must match between a map and a GPS device for coordinates to align correctly.
What is dead reckoning?
Dead reckoning is navigating by maintaining a known direction and estimating distance travelled from a known starting point, without relying on ongoing position fixes.
What is declination (compass)?
Declination is the angular difference between magnetic north, which a compass points to, and true north, which maps are drawn to.
What is a distress signal?
A distress signal is a standardised, non-verbal signal used to indicate an emergency, such as the internationally recognised convention of three blasts on a whistle.
What is elevation gain and loss?
Elevation gain and loss are the cumulative metres climbed and descended over a route, figures commonly used to judge a hike’s difficulty alongside distance.
What is exposure in hiking terrain?
In a terrain context, exposure describes a position with a significant drop and limited protection from a fall, distinct from exposure to weather in a medical or safety sense.
What is a false summit?
A false summit is a high point along a climb that appears to be the top but is followed by further ascent to the true summit.
What is a first aid kit?
A first aid kit is a carried set of supplies for treating injuries and medical issues in the field.
What is frostbite?
Frostbite is localised tissue damage caused by freezing, typically affecting extremities exposed to severe cold.
What are gaiters used for?
Gaiters are fabric coverings worn over boots and lower legs to keep out water, snow, mud, and debris.
What is gradient (trail)?
Gradient is the steepness of a slope or trail, expressed as a ratio, percentage, or angle.
What is a grid reference?
A grid reference is a location expressed using the grid lines printed on a specific map, used to pinpoint position without needing separate coordinates.
What is a guy line?
A guy line is a cord used to tension and stabilise a shelter or rain fly against a stake or anchor point.
What is a handrail in navigation?
A handrail is a linear feature, such as a stream, ridge, or fence line, followed to maintain direction without constant reference to a compass.
What is a heading in navigation?
A heading is the direction a hiker is actually travelling or facing at a given moment, distinct from a bearing, which is the direction to an object or destination.
What is heat exhaustion?
Heat exhaustion is a heat-related illness causing heavy sweating, weakness, and nausea, which can progress to heat stroke if untreated.
What is heat stroke?
Heat stroke is a severe, life-threatening heat illness marked by a dangerously high core body temperature and impaired mental function.
What is a hip belt on a backpack?
A hip belt is the padded waist strap on a backpack that transfers load weight onto the hips rather than the shoulders.
What is a hydration bladder?
A hydration bladder is a flexible water reservoir carried inside a pack and sipped through a tube, an alternative to carrying water in bottles or soft flasks.
What is hyperthermia?
Hyperthermia is a dangerously elevated body temperature caused by heat exposure or exertion, encompassing conditions from heat exhaustion to heat stroke.
What is hypothermia?
Hypothermia is a dangerously low body temperature caused by prolonged exposure to cold, a leading cause of death in outdoor emergencies.
What is a layering system?
A layering system is the practice of wearing multiple clothing layers, a base layer, insulating layer, and shell, that can be added or removed to manage temperature and moisture.
What is the lightning safety position?
The lightning safety position is a crouched, feet-together stance adopted as a last resort when caught in an electrical storm with no shelter available, intended to reduce rather than eliminate risk.
What is a load lifter on a backpack?
A load lifter is a strap connecting the top of a backpack’s shoulder straps to its frame, adjusted to pull the load closer to the body.
What is the difference between magnetic, grid, and true north?
Magnetic north is the direction a compass needle points; true north is the direction to the geographic North Pole; grid north is the direction of a map’s vertical grid lines, which can differ slightly from true north.
What is map scale?
Map scale is the ratio between a distance on a map and the corresponding distance on the ground, used to judge real-world distances from a map.
What is Naismith's rule?
Naismith’s rule is a method for estimating hiking time from a route’s distance and total ascent, adding extra time for climbing beyond the time needed for the flat distance alone.
What is pack fit?
Pack fit is how well a backpack’s frame, hip belt, and straps match a hiker’s torso length and build, a major factor in comfort and load transfer over distance.
What is a PLB (satellite messenger)?
A PLB, or personal locator beacon, and satellite messenger devices allow a hiker to send an emergency signal or message from areas without phone coverage.
What is a rain fly?
A rain fly is the waterproof outer layer of a tent, pitched over the main body to provide weather protection.
What is resection in navigation?
Resection is a technique for determining your exact position by taking bearings to two or more identifiable features and plotting where those bearing lines cross on a map.
What is a ridgeline?
A ridgeline is a continuous line of high ground connecting peaks, often followed as a route with views on both sides.
What is route finding?
Route finding is the practical skill of choosing a path across terrain, particularly where no marked trail exists.
What is scree?
Scree is a slope covered in small, loose rock fragments, often unstable and prone to sliding underfoot.
What is singletrack?
Singletrack is a narrow trail wide enough for only one person or bike at a time.
What is a spot height?
A spot height is a point marked on a map with its precise elevation, used alongside contour lines to read terrain detail.
What is the summit of a mountain?
The summit is the highest point of a peak or mountain.
What is a survival shelter?
A survival shelter is any improvised or emergency structure built or used to protect against the elements when planned shelter is unavailable.
What is a switchback?
A switchback is a zigzagging trail section that gains or loses elevation across a steep slope at a more gradual angle than a direct line would allow.
What is talus?
Talus is a slope or deposit of larger, blocky rock fragments accumulated at the base of a cliff or steep face, distinct from the smaller loose rock of scree.
What is a thru-hike?
A thru-hike is a continuous, end-to-end journey along a long-distance trail, typically completed in one extended trip.
What is total pack weight?
Total pack weight is the full carried weight on a given day, combining base weight with consumables such as food, water, and fuel.
What is a trail difficulty rating?
Trail difficulty rating is a classification of a route’s challenge level, such as easy, moderate, or strenuous; the specific scale and criteria used vary between organisations and guidebooks rather than following one universal standard.
What is a trailhead?
A trailhead is the starting point of a trail, typically with parking, signage, or basic facilities.
What is a traverse (hiking)?
A traverse is moving across a slope rather than directly up or down it.
What is treeline?
Treeline is the elevation above which trees no longer grow, marking a transition into alpine terrain.
What are trekking poles and pole baskets?
Trekking poles are handheld poles used to aid balance and reduce load on the legs, particularly on climbs and descents; the pole basket is the small disc near the tip that stops the pole sinking into soft ground.
What is a turnaround point?
A turnaround point is a predetermined time or location at which a hiker commits to heading back, regardless of progress, to ensure a safe return.
What is a valley?
A valley is a low area of land between hills or mountains, typically shaped by a river or glacier.
What is a waypoint?
A waypoint is a specific coordinate marked on a map or device to represent a location of interest along a route.
What is a whiteout condition?
A whiteout condition is a loss of visual reference caused by heavy snow, fog, or cloud, which can eliminate the horizon and cause severe navigation difficulty.
