Expressions

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"belay on"

phr.

When the belayer is ready to belay the climber up, he yells "Belay on". (At least in the US, "belay on" would only confuse the hell out of an Irish climber who prefers to hear "Climb when ready").

"below"

phr.

Used in Ireland by those 'in the know' to warn for impending impact with objects coming from above (e.g. falling rock). "Rock" in the US.

"bonne grimpe !"

phr.

An alpine greeting to climbers when they start a climb. In Ireland, a wide variety of greetings are likely from a shrug of the shoulders to "howya" with a shake of the head. To understand more see: http://homepages.tinet.ie/~nobyrne/openers.htm (Part of my slang dictionary!)

"climb when ready"

phr.

The equivalent of "Belay on" used in Ireland.

"climbing"

phr.

What the climber shouts after the belayer screams "Belay on".

"falling"

phr.

Yelled when a climber is (about to) fall.

"got me?"

phr.

A wake up call for the belayer, used to warn her that you are about to put some weight on the rope.

"help"

phr.

The vocal alternative to 6 whistle blast signals a minute. In far away countries, try S.O.S. it does not mean anything but is understood by most.

"off belay"

phr.

Yelled when the climber no longer requires a belay (e.g. because she/he has reached a stance). Once the belayer hears "off belay", he/she removes the rope from the belay device and yells "belay off". In Ireland, UK, Australia and New Zealand "Safe" should be used.

"oh f***!"

phr.

expression uttered on realisation of a serious mistake

"on belay ???"

phr.

Query to verify if the belayer is ready to secure the climber (US only).

"rock"

phr.

Scream let out to warn people down below that a piece of rock has been overcome by gravity. The loudness, number of repetitions, and/or panic in voice with which this word is uttered is often an indication of the seriousness of the rock. In Ireland, you're more likely to hear "Below", beware! "look-out"

"rope"

phr.

Should be yelled when a rope is about to be thrown to the base of the crag (though most of the time it seems like "rope" is shouted about 1-2 seconds after the rope is thrown). In Ireland, shout "Rope below".

"safe"

phr.

The equivalent of "Off Belay" used in Ireland.

"slack"

phr.

Yelled when the climber needs more rope

"take in"

phr.

The equivalent of " Up Rope" used in Ireland.

"take"

phr.

American monosyllable for "Up Rope". Also used by top-ropers and sports-climbers to indicate that they have reached the top and want to be lowered.

"taking in"

phr.

Heard often from serious Irish experts, meaning the climber is "off belay" and about to pull up the slack between him and the belayer.

0-9

10 essentials

n.

That part of your hiking or climbing gear you don't want to leave at home. But are there only 10?

A

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abseil, to

v.

descending by sliding down a rope. Americans usually call this rappelling.

adze

n.

The flat cutting end of the ice axe head.

aid climbing

Moving up a rock using fixed or placed protecting as a means of progression (and not just for protection). Also known in the US as sixth class climbing.

aid route

Route that can only be ascended using aid climbing techniques

aider

n.

Webbing ladder used for aid climbing. The word was probably coined by someone who couldn't spell the french word étrier.

air rappel

n.

an accidental fall down a pit.

alcove

n.

A belay ledge that is surrounded by vertical rock on all sides.

alpine butterfly

n.

butterfly knot

AMS

n.

Acute mountain sickness. (Ask your medical doctor.)

anchor

n.

Point where the rope is fixed to the rock.

arete

n.

A narrow (more or less - but often more less than more - horizontal) ridge.

armchair hiker

n.

one who talks about hiking more than going out on the hills.

ascenders

n.

Devices (e.g. Jumars) to ascend a rope.

avalanche

n.

Lots of snow or ice sliding down a mountain very fast.

B

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bail, to

v.

To give up on a rock climb or a summit attempt because of bad weather coming in.

bandit

n.

Someone who is accused of doing something nonsensical.

barf

v.

to vomit.

barn door, to

v.

To lose the foot and hand holds on one side of the body. Usually causes the climber to swing like a barn door.

base camp

n.

The lowest and largest fixed camp on a major ascent (or multiple ascents in the same area).

batman and robin

n.

inseparable. May also mean that one person is the leader and the other is the sidekick.

beer

n.

An essential fluid on all climbing trips. Consumed in large quantities after climbing. Can prove fatal if consumed in high quantities.

belay betty and belay bob

n.

The girl or boyfriend of an addictive rock climber.

belay station

n.

A safe stance consisting of an anchor, a rope, and a belayer (aka "the belay")

belay, to

v.

To secure a climber.

belayer

n.

The person at the belay station securing the climber.

beta

n.

Insider information about a climb. Running or auto beta is someone telling you how to do the moves as you go (as in "can you please shut up with that running beta, I want to find out myself").

beta flash

v.

Leading a climb with no falling or dogging, but with a piece of previous knowledge hints on how to do those crux moves. Even seeing someone do the climb already classifies as 'previous knowledge'.

BFR -big f*cking rock

n.

A bomb-proof anchor; bad news if it really isn't! Can also refer to an obstacle on a hike

big one, the

n.

Death

big sleep, the

n.

Death (a term coined by Chandler)

big wall

n.

Rock climb that is so long and sustained that a normal ascent lasts several days.

bivouac

n.

Or shortened to 'Bivi', A place to sleep for the night. Can be uncomfortable sleeping place in the middle of a route.

bivvie

n. v.

A small shelter constructed from branches and twigs or poor living accommodation.

bivvie bag

n.

large brightly coloured plastic bag intended to provide emergency shelter or to be used for signalling to rescuers, but is mostly valued for sitting on during "drum-up" so as to preserve a reasonably dry rear-end.

black ice

n.

Old ice that was exposed to extremely cold temperatures, scree, and snowfall. Usually found deep in shady couloirs, or on steep north faces. Very hard and dense ice that is difficult to climb.

blast, to

v.

To begin a big wall, after the line fixing is done. "We're gonna blast on Tuesday morning after we get the first three pitches fixed".

blue ice

n.

Very dense ice with a watery hue and few air bubbles.

BNH - big-name hiker

n.

(usually complimentary, but sometimes connotes self-styled importance, or a pedopolitician).

bog-trotter

n. adj

a hiker with a preference for routes over ground which is predominantly very soft and wet

bomb proof

n. adj.

(1) suitable natural rig point for mountaineering.
(2) any belay(rock climbing) which has a vast overkill of security, or any sort of shoring or other equipment whose safety in no doubt.
(3) the illusion that an anchor is infallible

bomber

adj

Used to indicate that something is exceptionally solid, e.g. an anchor, a hold. See also bombproof.

bong

n.

An almost extinct species of extra wide pitons. Now, large chocks are usually used instead.

bootie

n.

Rock climbing or mountaineering gear (nuts, cams, etc.) that was left behind on a climb by the previous party.

boulder, to

v.

Climbing unroped on boulders or at the foot of climbs to a height where it is still safe to jump off.

bounce

v.

To crater / fall from an extreme height. Usually hurts or is lethal.

brain bucket

n.

Aka helmet. That all important hard shelled thing that covers our (second?) most valuable asset.

bucket

n.

A large hold (Aka "jug", esp. in UK)

buildering

v.

To climb the outside of buildings

bunny boots

n.

boots resembling those worn by Mickey Mouse, large, white and featureless, named for the layer of rabbit fur that's reputed to be part of the insulation (it's really only wool felt). They are heavy, but very very very warm.

bury the foot

v.

To suddenly accelerate very fast.

butterfly knot

n.

Interesting but rarely used climbing knot.

buttress

n.

The part of the mountain or rock that stands in front of the main mountain face.

buzz

n.

euphoric feeling. Commonly used after a particularly hard
passage is successfully completed. "I got such a buzz after that uphill
grunt."

C

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cardboard hiker

adj

a hiker who turns around at the first sign of
wetness - so that his/her layers don't delaminate

cheese grater, to

v.

To slide down a slab while scraping the knees, hands, and face.

chest harness

n.

Bra-like looking harness (to be used with waist harness)

chickenhead

n.

Sometimes phallic shaped, protruding lumps that make excellent hand or footholds on granite, etc.

chilled off

adj

Killed

chimed

adj

Exhausted. "This climb has got me chimed."

chimney

n.

A wide crack that accommodates (most of) the body of the climber.

chimney, to

v.

A climbing technique used to conquer chimneys. Usually requires the use of the back and feet, arms, head and other body parts.

chipped hold

n.

A hold created with a hammer and chisel by a moron incapable of doing the climb as it is.

chockstone

n.

A stone wedged between a crack, a chimney, etc.

choss

n.

In Australia, this means poor rock (you can take all the holds home...). In the UK, choss is dirt and vegetation found in cracks

chute

n.

A very steep gully. The word chute is french for fall and refers to the rockfall that is very common in a chute.

cirque

n.

A deep and steep-walled basin on a mountain usually forming the blunt end of a valley. From the French word for circus.

class

adj

A number designating the overall technical level of a route. The first number in the YDS designates the class of the climb.

clean

v.

to climb or negotiate a trail successfully without falling or dogging. "I cleaned
that last section."

clean, to

v.

To remove the pro from a route. Usually done by the follower.

clear!

phr

imperative v., Danger! (U.S.)

cliff

n.

A vertical piece of rock good for climbing (see also Crag).

cliffhanger

adj

Not just a silly film with Wolfgang Güllich and Ron Kauk, but also the name for a small hooking device used to aid climb up small ledges and pockets.

climbing gym

n.

The second best thing to real rock (Aka " climbing wall" in Ireland ).

climbing shoes

n.

Shoes made of sticky rubber that would have fit you comfortably when you were ten.

climbing wall

n.

The phrase often used in Ireland for a climbing gym.

clip, to

v.

The reassuring action of putting the rope through a karabiner (that is attached to a piece of pro).

clove hitch

n.

A useful, easily adjustable climbing knot usually used to tie the rope into a karibiner.

col

n.

A steep, high mountain pass.

cord

n.

Thin static rope (5, 5.5 or 6 mm)

corn snow

n.

Unconsolidated granular snow that has gone through a short freeze-and-thaw process. This type of snow is prevalent throughout the High Sierra in April and May.

corner

n.

Inside corner (see dihedral) or outside corner. In the Ireland, a corner is always an inside one.

couloir

n.

A steep gully which may have snow or ice.

crab

n.

Short for karibiner.

crack, in rock

n.

A gap or fissure in the rock varying in width from nail to bodywidth.

crag

n.

Name for a (small) climbing area.

crampons

n.

Very pointy footwear used to walk glaciers or climb ice.

crank, to

v.

To pull on a hold as hard as you can, and then some.

crater, to

v.

To fall and hit the ground, as in "I almost cratered".

crest

n.

The very top of a ridge or arete.

crevasse

n.

cracks and fissures in the ice, frequently snow-covered and not readily visible

crimper

n.

A very small hold that accepts only the finger tips. In the Ireland, this is often just called a crimp.

Croak

v.

To kill; to die

crux

adj

The hard bit.

Cut

adj

muscular, usually due to the absence of fat

D

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daisy chain

n.

A sling sewn (or tied) with numerous loops, used as an adjustable sling in aid climbing.

Deadpoint

n.

A dynamic move where the next hold is grabbed at the very top of the motion (if you lunge upwards, that is just before you start falling again). By grabbing a hold in its 'deadpoint', you place the smallest possible loads on the holds.

Death march

n.

particularly gruelling hike

death wobbles

adj.

The eerie sensation of jittery legs. Aka Elvis to Elvis or the sewing machine.

Deck

n.

The usually unfriendly surface that welcomes you at the end of a grounder.

Descender

n.

Device used for rappeling.

Dog (to dog a move)

v.

Climbing, lowering, climbing again till a certain move is made (the usual mode of ascent...).

double fisherman's knot

n.

Solid knot used to tie two ropes or pieces of webbing together (Aka grapevine knot).

Double rope

n.

Same as a half rope. Also the technique using two half ropes.

Downclimbing

v.

Descending the difficult way.

Drink out of the same flask, as in "we used to drink out of the same flask."

v.

We were close friends

drop science

V

to share knowledge or information.

Drum-up

n.

stop for packed lunch or refreshment during a hike

dry tool, to

v.

To ascend a section of rock using ice tools - very common in mixed climbing.

Dynamic belay

v.

A belay method in which some rope is allowed to slip during severe falls. A dynamic belay can severely reduce the impact force from a serious fall, but can also severely kill you if not done properly.

Dyno

v.

Dynamic movement towards a distant hold.

E

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edge

n.

A sharp edge on a rock face.

Edging

v.

Foot technique where one uses the edge of the climbing shoe to stand on small footholds. The opposite of smearing.

e-hiker

n.

one who experiences hiking or hill-walking electronically. Usually via a computer,
E-Mail, the Internet, BBSs, etc.

elvis, to

v.

To have a sewing machine leg. Named after "Elvis, the King", who suffered from this problem when singing before a crowd of screaming women.

Endo

n.

the manoeuvre of flying unexpectedly from a hill. Short for "end over end." "I tripped over that rock and went endo like nobody's business."

Epic

n.

The story of a well planned climb that turned into a gruelling adventure that turned out well in the end. As these stories are told over and over again - and they always are - the details get stretched to supernatural proportions for dramatic effect.

F

face climbing

v.

Not crack climbing.

Face plant

n.

hitting the ground face first. "Joe tripped on a fence and did a spectacular face plant."

Fake

v

to fail to meet someone at a designated location. ("Don't fake on me.")

fall

v.

The dynamic retreat from a hike or climb.

Fall factor

The length of the fall divided by the amount of rope paid out.

Fall, to

v.

A dynamic retreat from a climb (free-solo rappel). Note that it is never the fall that kills, it's the landing.

Falling

phr.

Usually yelled by the climber just before he falls.

Fecofile

n.

A PVC tube used to store solid human waste on big walls. Aka the Shit Tube.

Feet

n.

Footholds.

Fifi hook

n.

An open hook used to allow easy clipping during aid climbing. Usually found on aiders, daisy chains, etc.

fingerlock

n.

Masochistic technique to twist and wedge the fingers into a crack.

Firn

n.

Old, well consolidated snow. Often a left-over from the previous season. Closer to ice than snow in density, it may require the use of crampons.

Fisherman's knot

n.

Simple knot to tie two ropes together. The double fisherman knot, however, is more popular.

Fixed pro

n.

Bolts, rings, pitons, stuck nuts and cams and other piece of unremovable pro that may be found on a climb. Use at your own risk.

Flail

Poor (or energy wasting) climbing technique. "I saw this guy try to get over a lip and he was flailing all over the place!"

flail, to

v.

To become very unsure and sketchy. When the flailing goes into frantic grabbing for holds, a fall is not far away.

Flake

n.

A thin bit of rock that is detached from the main face.

Flapper

n.

A piece of skin torn off your hand that creates a bloody wound. Usually happens when holding on too hard when gravity is winning.

Flared

n.

A crack or chimney with sides that are not parallel, but instead form two converging planes of rock.

Flash, to

v.

To lead a climb with no falls or dogging and with no previous attempts on the climb. Two variations exist: the onsight flash (where the climber has never seen the climb before) and the beta flash (where the climber has studied the climb before or has seen someone do the climb).

Flop

v.

Go to bed

following

v.

Not leading a hike.

Free climbing

v.

Moving up a rock using only hands, feet, and natural holds. Ropes and pro are only used for protection of the climber and not for progression.

Free solo

v.

Free climbing while using no ropes for protection. You fall - you die.

G

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gas

n.

The stuff your car and muscles run on. If you run out of gas....

gasper

n.

Cigarette

giggle juice

n.

Liquor

glacier

n.

A slowly moving permanent mass of ice.

God-save-me

n.

The type of hold one lunges for hoping it will be the perfect bucket.

Grade

n.

denoting the seriousness of a route (not to be confused with the rating of climb, which describes the technical difficulty). In Ireland, however, the word grade means both grade and rating.

Grapevine knot

n.

Fisherman's knot

gravity check

n.

a fall.

Grigri

n.

Nifty but somewhat controversial belaying device made by Petzl.

Grinder

n.

a long uphill climb.

Gripped

Paralysed with fear and utterly confused.

Grounder

n.

A fall where the kinetic energy is not absorbed by the rope and pro, but rather by mother earth itself. Can hurt badly.

Grunt

n.

a very difficult climb.

Gully

n.

A wide, shallow ravine on a mountainside.

H

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HACE

High Altitude Cerebral Edema.
Liquid in the brain as a result of high altitude exposure. Few people live to tell what it is like.

Half rope

n.

A rope of 9 or 8.5 mm that has to be used together with a second rope when leading a climb.

Half-pint

n.

A very short person.

Half-track

n.

a trail so narrow and/or overgrown that you'd hesitate even to call it singletrack

handjam

Slightly masochistic technique where the hand is wedged into a crack.

Handle

n.

Big banana-shaped hold often found in indoor gyms. Great for waving hello to admiring bystanders. It may sound bizarre, but I've never seen one of those outdoors...

hangdog, to

v.

see Dog.

HAPE

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema.
Liquid in the lungs as a result of high altitude exposure. Pretty serious condition that can quickly lead to HACE if a descent to lower altitudes is not made immediately. See also HACE.

Hard

Tough

harness

Piece of clothing that identifies you as a climber. The coolness factor can be significantly enhanced by hanging things from the harness that go 'clink clink'.

Haul bag

n.

Large and robust bag used to haul food, water, climbing gear, sleeping bag, television, satellite dish, and other essential equipment that is required, up a big wall. Also know as "the pig".

Headwall

n.

Where the face of a mountain steepens dramatically.

Helmet

n.

Solid plastic device that can sometimes protect the head from falling stones or impact (Aka a brainbucket).

Herbish

The opposite of grodle. Not all that awesome.

High budget

adj

of extreme high quality, expensive to a point that it becomes unattainable. ("The equipment was totally high budget.")

HOHA

n.

Bikers term for hikers. Hateful Old Hikers Association. "HOHA members hate mountain bicyclists with a fervour exceeding that of rabid wolves."

Hold

n.

Anything that can be held on to.

Hoof-it

v.

To move very quickly (normally running).

Horn

n.

Spike of rock that can be for a great hold or not so great protection. The same as a chickenhead.

Hurtin unit

n.

That member of the climbing team that is suffering from severe exposure to alcoholic beverages the night before.

Hydrothermia

hypothermia from being submerged in water.

I

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ice axe

n.

Device used for ice climbing, glacier crossing, or scaring away burglars.

Ice screw

n.

A protection device for ice climbing. Looks like a large bolt that can be screwed in hard ice.

J

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jam, to

v.

Wedging body parts in a crack.

Jamesways

n.

canvas and wood "tents", possibly Korean War surplus, that are used as semi-permanent shelter at field camps along long distance walking routes.

Jug

n.

Very large hold (short for jug handle) (Aka "bucket" in the US).

Jug, to

v.

To jumar up a line (big wall lingo).

Jugs

n.

Big wall lingo for Jumars or any other type of ascenders.

Jumar

n.

A type of rope ascending device.

Jumar, to

v.

To ascend a rope using ascenders.

K

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keyboard-hiker

n.

one who experiences hiking or hill-walking electronically. Usually via a computer, e-mail, the Internet, BBSs, etc.

knobbly dog

n.

like half of a wire ladder. It has a single length of wire and the "rungs" are drilled in the centre, threaded into the wire and fixed by any convenient means.

Knobbly knee

The eerie sensation of jittery legs on a difficult climb or descent

L

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Layback / lieback

v.

somewhat clumsy looking climbing technique where hands and feet work in opposition.

Lead, to

v.

to walk a route safely with a group following.

Leader

n.

person who leads a hike.

Ledge

n.

flat bit on a rock (can be miniature or gigantic).

Legend

n.

a much liked person.

Leg-less dwarf

n.

a very short person.

Lid

n.

hat / helmet.

Lip chap

n.

lip balm.

Loaf

n.

brain

lock-off

v.

to hold on to the rock with one bent arm while using the other arm to reach up for the next hold or to place or clip protection. Lockoffs on small holds will get you pumped in a hurry.

Long hike

n.

a tough, fast treck across the mountains where there is every encouragement to climb as many hills in the shortest possible time(the primary objective), where views are only incidental to the hike, and conversation only possible if you can keep up with anyone to talk to, and provided it doesn't interfere with the primary objective. You are NEVER likely to experience a 'tea-party' on a long hike (see 'short hike' for contrast)

lowering

v.

to descend something or somebody.

Lox bread

adj

indestructible.

M

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male blindness

n.

when a male hiker watches a beautiful female walking over rough terrain and stares intensely at all the jiggling parts, making him too dizzy to see straight when it's his turn to walk the same terrain!

Mantle

n.

Difficult balancing move useful to get up on ledges.

Mantrap

n.

hole covered with autumn leaves, resembling solid earth and effective at trapping the unsuspecting hiker.

Mitt

n.

Hand

mixed climbing

v.

Climbing with a combination of different methods of ascent. E.g walking, scrambling and mixed free or aid climbing, mixed rock and ice climbing, etc.

mo

n.

momentum. "If you stop at the bottom of that hill, you'll lose your mo."

Moat

n.

The gap between snow and ice on a rock wall. Has posed problems ever since the middle ages.

Mountain rescue

n.

The people who put their life on the line when you screw up badly.

Munge

n.

The dirt and vegetation that can sometimes be found in cracks. In the UK: Choss

mushroom

n.

dome-shaped nylon tent

N

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needle

n.

Rock with a characteristic pointed shape. Also known as pinnacle aiguille, gendarme, etc.

névé

n.

Consolidated granular snow formed by repeated freeze-and-thaw cycles. Also used to indicate permanent snowfields.

Newbie,

n.

a new member

nirvana

n.

the state of being in absolute control and totally in tune with your gear, the trail, and your physical strength. "I was just doing it all so smoothly, easily and quickly, it was nirvana!"

notch

n.

A small col.

O

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off width

n.

A climb too wide to jam, too small to chimney. And then I've heard of people who actually like this kind of climbing.

Oh bejesus

phr

an expression of surprise or alarm.

Overhang

n.

Rock (or ice) that is "more than vertical".

Over-kilned

n.

A boiler plate or flaky rock

P

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pack

v.

to carry

paper-hiker

n.

one who experiences hiking or hill-walking mostly on paper by reading or writing about it, commonly at present via a computer, e-mail, the Internet, BBSs, etc.

party ledge

n.

a somewhat larger ledge used to rest (and party !) during a particularly hard or long climb. Sometimes used to refer to the belay station on a multipitch climb.

Pass

n.

the lowest passage between two mountains. The french - but not just the french - know this as a col. The mathematicians would call this the saddle point.

Pinching a loaf

v.

defecating, dump

pitching

v.

defecating, dump

pocket

n.

a hold formed by a (small) depression in the rock.

Pole

n.

walking stick

pump

n.

heart

pumped

adj

the feeling of overworked muscles; also, excited; psyched

Q

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R

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R.D.S.

n.

Rapid Deceleration Syndrome. Military term for the very sudden illness that happens at the end of a long fall.

Rambler(s)

n.

a member of that 'other hillwalking club'

ramp

n.

an ascending ledge

ramway

n.

a member of that 'other hillwalking club' who has joined the 'Wayfarers'

rating

adj

a number denoting the technical difficulty of the climb.

Rear buffing

n.

going down a hill so steep that your butt touches the ground.

Recce

n. abr.

Abbreviation for resonance whereby a route for a hike is checked in advance to determine the most appropriate and safe route to lead a group

rescue

n.

What you hope happens after you screw up badly.

Ridge

n.

The high divide extending out from a peak.

Roadie

n.

pejorative term for a hiker who sticks to paved surfaces only. "That roadie is a lower life form."

Rocket fuel

n.

the mandatory pre-hike coffee.

Rope

n.

Long and round nylon fabrication. Climbing ropes are generally between 10 and 11 mm in diameter

route

n.

A certain path up a rock or mountain, which should be stuck to.

Route swag

n.

equipment or accessories dropped by other walkers or climbers and found on the route.

S

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saddle

n.

A high pass that looks somewhat like the horsewear. Not quite as steep as a col.

Scrambling

v.

Easy mountain climbing, usually unroped.

Screamer

n.

(1) A very, very long fall.
(2) Special piece of equipment meant to reduce the impact of a screamer (the fall) on the belay system.

Scree

n.

Loose rocks and stones that cover the slope below a cliff. With every step, scree slides under your feet.

Serac

n.

A block or tower of ice on a steep glacier or in an ice fall. Since seracs are created by the force of gravity working on the glacier or ice fall, they can come down at any moment.

Sewing-machine leg or arm

n.

A leg (or arm) under tension that suddenly starts jerking up and down like a sewing machine. Stretch the muscle, take a deep breath, and don't think of falling... (see also: to Elvis or the Death wobbles).

Sh** !

phr

Often heard during a fall... (Well educated climbers in Ireland sometimes say "sugar" - but only if they're not in too much trouble).

Shaky knee

The eerie sensation of jittery legs on a difficult climb or descent

sharp end

n.

The end of the rope to which the leader is attached.

Shiv

n.

Knife

short-hike

n.

a pleasant hillwalk, frequently with friends which affords the opportunity to gain some exercise, while at the same time appreciating the views, the fresh air, and possibly good conversation. (see 'long hike' for contrast). You are more likely to experience a 'tea-party' on a short hike

single-track

n.

trail wide enough for one person. Rel. double-track: rutted road made by vehicles, with the ruts creating two
parallel single-tracks.

Skid lid

n.

helmet.

Sky

v.

to jump extremely high.

Slab

n.

Flat and seemingly featureless, not quite vertical piece of rock.

Snort

n.

A drink

squeeze

n.

(1) a tight spot or constriction.

Sticks

adj

a rural area.

Summit

n.

The top of a climb, mountain or rock.

Summit, to

v.

To reach the summit.

T

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take a powder

v.

Leave

take it on the heel and toe

v.

Leave

take on

v.

Eat

take the air

v.

Leave

talus

n.

Large blocks of rock. A coarse variation of scree.

tea party

n.

when a whole group of walkers stops and chats, and nobody seems to want to move on.

tight spot

adj

a squeeze

toe

n.

the bottom of a buttress.

top

n.

the point on a route where the only way is down

trail swag

n.

equipment or accessories dropped by other walkers or climbers and found on the track.

traverse

v.

horizontal climb, or the name for any journey on the ice to any place more distant than a walk to urinate!

U

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V

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vegetable tunnel

n.

a singletrack that is heavily overgrown with foliage, so a hiker must duck and bend to get through it.

verglas

n.

thin water ice on rock.

virtual hiker

n.

one who 'surfs the net' about hiking more than going on the hills.

W

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Wayfarer

n.

a member of the best hillwalking club

Wayfarers Association

n.

The 'best' hillwalking club

Wayram

n.

a member of 'the best hillwalking club' who has joined the 'Ramblers'. Reasons for this behaviour are not certain yet, but a number of theories are developing!

white ice

n.

Ice with lots of air bubbles that forms from melted-and-frozen snow. Good climbing stuff.

wooly bear

n.

Fibre pile hiking undersuit.

X Y Z

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Yoke

adj.

Just about anything whose proper description doesn't spring to mind.

zipper

n.

A fall where the protection pulls out one after the other as the leader succumbs to gravity. Often ends with a grounder (or a cardiac arrest).