Thru-Hiker Lingo

Before I publish any journal entries, I thought I'd create this short write up explaining some of the lingo you may come across as you read my journal. Here goes:

• Thru-hiker/Thru-er: someone who is hiking the entire length of a long distance trail 
• SoBo: Southbound thru-hiker
• NoBo: Northbound thru-hiker
• Hiker-midnight: 9:00 P.M. - the time most hikers hit the sack
• Cairn: A man made pile of rocks identifying a trail
• Cowboy camping: Sleeping under the stars (no tent)
• Blaze: Trail navigation marker carved (as is the case on the JMT) on trees
• Ultralight: Referring to the pack weight of a hiker; someone who uses the lightest weight equipment
• Trail legs: Most thru-ers get in hiking shape as they walk and build their endurance in the process
• Vitamin I: Ibuprofen 
• Dry Camp: A waterless camping spot 
• HYOH: Hike your own hike 
• A Zero: A day off from the trail.
• A Nero: A Near Zero - a shortened hiking day in which a hiker covers significantly less miles than usual. 
• JMT: John Muir Trail
• PCT: Pacific Crest Trail
• AT: Appalachian Trail