Question 1

What is an a-frame?

Accepted Answer

A term used to describe a tent that resembles the letter “A” when viewed from the front.

Question 2

What is an a-frame tent?

Accepted Answer

A style of tent that has an “A” like shape. This style of tent is an older variety. It is typically inexpensive but not large. (An a-frame tent is best suited for two people.) Two vertical poles and one horizontal pole that spans the length of the tent make up this tent. The camper then drapes the tent fabric over the horizontal pole. This technique creates the tent’s walls. The camper must stake out the tent with guylines and tie-outs to create stability. In the past, people called these “ridge tents”.

Question 3

What are accessible areas?

Accepted Answer

Areas or trails that are designed or modified to accommodate people with disabilities or limited mobility.

Question 4

What is accessible camping?

Accepted Answer

Accommodations made to campsites enabling those with disabilities to enjoy camping despite physical challenges.

Question 5

What is an accessible campsite?

Accepted Answer

A campsite designed to serve those with physical challenges better. These sites might be easier to get to, be built on harder surfaces better suited to wheelchairs, or have longer overhangs on picnic tables to accommodate wheelchairs.

Question 6

What does acclimate mean?

Accepted Answer

The time required for one’s body to adapt to particular conditions (e.g., environment, altitude). Acclimate is most commonly used when referring to high altitudes where lower oxygen saturation makes breathing more taxing.

Question 7

What is ada camping?

Accepted Answer

Accommodations made to campsites enabling those with disabilities to enjoy camping despite physical challenges.

Question 8

What is an ADA campsite?

Accepted Answer

A campsite designed to serve those with physical challenges better. These sites might be easier to get to, be built on harder surfaces better suited to wheelchairs, or have longer overhangs on picnic tables to accommodate wheelchairs

Question 9

What does advanced mean?

Accepted Answer

Describing a trail, route, or activity that requires a high level of skill, experience, or fitness.

Question 10

What is an adventure camp?

Accepted Answer

A summer camp experience for kids. These introduce children to outdoor and adventure-based activities, including camping, hiking, and kayaking.

Question 11

What is an aerial tramway?

Accepted Answer

A type of transportation that uses a cable system to transport passengers in a cabin or gondola up or down a steep incline.

Question 12

What is an aiguille?

Accepted Answer

A sharp-pointed pinnacle of rock in a mountain range.

Question 13

What is an air conditioner (A/C)?

Accepted Answer

A system that allows for the adjustment of humidity, ventilation, and temperature within an RV. A/C in RVs is most commonly used to cool the vehicle interior in warm environments.

Question 14

What is an air mattress?

Accepted Answer

A lightweight, inflatable sleeping pad used for insulation and comfort while camping.

Question 15

What is all-in weight?

Accepted Answer

The total weight of a hiker’s gear, including everything they are wearing and carrying.

Question 16

What is an all-terrain vehicle (ATV)?

Accepted Answer

A small, durable vehicle designed for exploring off-road locations—and accessing remote camping destinations. Unlike UTVs, ATVs are steered using handlebars and have a straddle seat (generally intended for one rider). A quad or four-wheeler is a common type of ATVs.

Question 17

What is alpenglow?

Accepted Answer

A reddish glow on the horizon just after sunset or just before sunrise, caused by the reflection of the sun’s rays off mountains or other high terrain.

Question 18

What is the alpine?

Accepted Answer

Describes the land area of a mountain above the tree line. This terrain is typically rugged and at a high altitude. Given the wind and thin soil, trees and large plants generally don’t grow in these areas. So, talus or snow typically covers these areas.

Question 19

What is an alpine lake?

Accepted Answer

A high-altitude lake, usually located in mountainous regions.

Question 20

What is alpine skiing?

Accepted Answer

A type of skiing that takes place on groomed slopes or off-piste in mountainous terrain.

Question 21

What is an alpine start?

Accepted Answer

An early morning start, typically before dawn, often used in mountaineering or long hikes to allow for maximum daylight and favorable weather conditions.

Question 22

What is alpine touring?

Accepted Answer

A type of skiing that involves climbing up mountains with specialized bindings and skins before skiing back down.

Question 23

What is the alpine zone?

Accepted Answer

The region of a mountain that is above the tree line. This terrain is typically rugged and at a high altitude. Given the wind and thin soil, trees and large plants generally don’t grow in these areas. So, talus or snow typically covers these areas.

Question 24

What is alpinism?

Accepted Answer

The sport or practice of climbing or exploring in mountainous terrain, particularly in high-altitude or glaciated environments.

Question 25

What is alternating current (AC) power?

Accepted Answer

The standard electricity format delivered by 110-volt wall sockets. This electrical current takes on a waveform that allows this electricity to travel farther than DC power.

Question 26

What is an altimeter?

Accepted Answer

An instrument that uses barometric (air) pressure to measure elevation.

Question 27

What is altitude?

Accepted Answer

The height of an object or point in relation to sea level or ground level.

Question 28

What is altitude gain?

Accepted Answer

The cumulative increase in elevation that occurs during a hike or climb.

Question 29

What is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?

Accepted Answer

A law that forbids discrimination of those with disabilities. This law exists to ensure that those with disabilities have equal rights to all other citizens.

Question 30

What is an angle?

Accepted Answer

A hook used for angling.

Question 31

What is angling?

Accepted Answer

A method of fishing with an angle, tied to a line, attached to a rod.

Question 32

What are animal signs?

Accepted Answer

Indicators of animal presence, such as tracks, scat, or markings.

Question 33

What is an animal trail?

Accepted Answer

A path created by the repeated movement of animals through an area.

Question 34

What is an anorak?

Accepted Answer

A waterproof, hooded, pull-over jacket. Its zipper doesn’t extend from the jacket’s top to bottom, which helps the wearer retain body heat. Sometimes it has drawstrings at the waist and cuff.

Question 35

What is the Appalachian Trail (AT)?

Accepted Answer

A long-distance footpath. It ranges from Maine to Georgia and is the world’s longest hiking-only footpath, extending 2,190 miles.

Question 36

What is an arete?

Accepted Answer

A sharp mountain ridge.

Question 37

What is an ascent?

Accepted Answer

The act of climbing or moving uphill, or the distance covered during such movement.

Question 38

What is AT skiing?

Accepted Answer

Short for alpine touring skiing, a type of skiing that involves climbing up mountains with specialized bindings and skins before skiing back down.

Question 39

What is an azimuth?

Accepted Answer

The direction from your current position to a destination. The bearing is expressed in degrees east/west of a north-south line.

Question 40

What is a back tack?

Accepted Answer

A stitch that is sewn over another stitch. This technique reinforces highly stressed areas where two pieces of fabric are joined.

Question 41

What is a back-in site?

Accepted Answer

A type of campsite that a vehicle must back their vehicle into.

Question 42

What is the backcountry?

Accepted Answer

A term that describes remote wilderness that is inaccessible by road and uninhabited. The backcountry is often found in national parks and public lands—backpackers camp in these areas to access pristine nature, free of human influence.

Question 43

What is a backcountry bidet?

Accepted Answer

A method of personal hygiene in the wilderness that involves using water and a dedicated cloth to clean oneself after using the bathroom.

Question 44

What is backcountry camping?

Accepted Answer

A style of camping that takes place in the wilderness free of most amenities. This form of camping requires participants to make way by foot, skis, snowshoes, or canoe/kayak to reach their desired campsite.

Question 45

What is backcountry skiing?

Accepted Answer

A type of skiing that takes place in unmarked, ungroomed, and often remote areas outside of established ski resorts, typically requiring navigation skills, specialized equipment, and avalanche awareness. It requires you the skier to go both up and down hills.

Question 46

What is a backcountry toilet?

Accepted Answer

A designated or improvised area in the wilderness for human waste disposal, often including a hole dug in the ground.

Question 47

What is a backpack?

Accepted Answer

A bag that has shoulder straps allowing it to be carried on one’s back.

Question 48

What is backpack weight?

Accepted Answer

The total weight of a hiker’s backpack, including all gear, food, and water.

Question 49

What is a backpacker?

Accepted Answer

A traveler who carries their supplies in a backpack. They typically hike in the backcountry but sometimes backpack through urban environments.

Question 50

What is a backpacker tan?

Accepted Answer

A tan acquired from wearing a backpack while hiking, leaving distinctive tan lines on the shoulders and back.

Question 51

What is backpacker trash?

Accepted Answer

A lighthearted term used to describe hikers who embrace the dirtiness, simplicity, and freedom of the backpacking lifestyle.

Question 52

What is backpacking?

Accepted Answer

Hiking with all of one’s gear and supplies contained in a backpack.

Question 53

What are backpacking essentials?

Accepted Answer

Basic items that are necessary or highly recommended for a successful and safe backpacking trip.

Question 54

What is a backpacking stove?

Accepted Answer

A small, portable stove designed for cooking or heating water during a backpacking trip.

Question 55

What is a backup monitor?

Accepted Answer

A camera and monitor combination that allows the driver to see what’s behind their RV. The camera is mounted to the RV’s rear end. A corresponding screen within the vehicle is viewable to the driver.

Question 56

What is baffle?

Accepted Answer

A quilt-like technique that prevents insulation from shifting within the object. Baffles are sewn box cavities that prevent the insulating material from settling in one spot. Baffles can be found in sleeping bags and puff jackets. This technique prevents heat loss, helping the wearer maintain uniform warmth.

Question 57

What is bag cooking?

Accepted Answer

A method of cooking in which food is prepared by adding hot water to a heat-resistant bag containing the meal ingredients.

Question 58

What is bannock?

Accepted Answer

A traditional indigenous Canadian flatbread. Bannock is an unleavened bread made from wheat flour and fried into round-shaped cakes on a skillet or griddle.

Question 59

What is a base layer?

Accepted Answer

The first layer of clothing worn next to the skin, designed to wick away moisture, regulate body temperature, and provide comfort during outdoor activities.

Question 60

What is base weight?

Accepted Answer

The weight of a backpack and its enclosed/attached gear. Consumables (food, water, fuel) are not included in one’s calculation of base weight. Most backpackers should aim for a base weight of 15 – 20 lbs; ultralight backpackers should aim for 10 – 12lbs or less.

Question 61

What is a basement?

Accepted Answer

A storage area located below the floor of an RV. This area is commonly used to store items that get dirty (cleaning supplies, campfire tools, hitch locks) and need to be accessed from outside the RV.

Question 62

What is a baseplate?

Accepted Answer

The see-through plate of a compass that the compass housing is mounted to.

Question 63

What is a bathroom break?

Accepted Answer

A pause during a hike or activity to use the bathroom, often in a natural or improvised setting.

Question 64

What is a bathtub floor?

Accepted Answer

A type of tent floor that prevents water ingress. Its name reflects how this one-piece tent floor’s material comes up the tent’s sidewalls by ~6”, creating a tub-like shape.

Campnab’s Pretty Darned Useful Glossary of Camping Terms

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