trail difficulty jargon, decoded
for anyone new to reading trip reports before committing to a hike they didn't understand the scope of.
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1
mi. RT
Miles, round trip. If a report just says '8 mi' assume round trip unless it says one-way.
2
elev. gain
Total climbing over the hike, not net change. A 'flat' 8 miles with 500 ft gain is basically flat. 2000 ft over the same distance is not.
3
WTA difficulty rating (1-5)
Their algorithm weighs length against average grade, not exposure or scrambling. A short brutal climb can rate lower than a long gentle one.
4
out-and-back vs loop
Out-and-back means you see the same trail twice. Loops feel shorter at equal mileage because nothing repeats.
5
TH
Trailhead. 'TH at 6am, lot already full' means get there earlier next time.
6
class 2 / class 3 scrambling
7
exposure
A drop-off next to the trail with real consequences if you slip. Different from steep, a trail can be steep with zero exposure.
8
switchbacks
9
boot path
Unofficial trail worn in by hikers, not maintained and not always marked. Follow at your own risk above treeline.
10
cairns
Stacked rocks marking a route above treeline. Don't build your own, it confuses navigation for whoever comes after you.
11
scree vs talus
Scree is loose gravel that slides under you. Talus is bigger, more stable rock. Scree is worse to descend, talus twists ankles.
12
bushwhack
13
PUD (pointless up and down)
A dip in the trail that costs elevation you didn't need to lose. Common on ridge trails, always demoralizing at mile 9.
14
start early
not jargon exactly, but it shows up in every good trip report for a reason. parking, afternoon thunderstorms, heat, all of it.
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