A double blaze is two trail blazes placed together — typically one above the other — used to signal an upcoming change in the trail, such as a turn, junction, or sharp change in direction. It's a 'pay attention' warning to slow down and look for where the trail goes. In many systems, the top blaze is offset to the left or right to indicate the direction of the turn, though conventions vary by trail.
Slackpacking is hiking a section of a long-distance trail while your full backpack and overnight gear are transported ahead for you — usually by a shuttle, hostel, or support person — so you hike carrying only a light daypack with the day's essentials. Popular among thru-hikers, slackpacking lets you cover trail miles with far less weight, often to rest the body, hike faster, or enjoy a stretch unburdened, while still completing the trail on foot.
Peak bagging is the activity of systematically reaching the summits of peaks on a defined list — such as Colorado's 14ers, the New Hampshire 48, or the Scottish Munros — and 'collecting' them as you complete each one. A popular way to structure and motivate hiking and mountaineering goals, peak bagging ranges from accessible hiking lists to serious mountaineering objectives, and appeals to the goal-oriented drive to finish a set.
A section hike is the practice of completing a long-distance trail in separate segments over multiple trips — and often multiple years — rather than walking it end to end in one continuous journey (a thru-hike). Section hiking makes long trails achievable for people who can't take months off at once, lets hikers choose favorable seasons and conditions for each part, and spreads the cost and physical demand over time.
A trailhead is the official starting point of a trail, where it meets a road or parking area. Trailheads commonly feature signage, trail maps, a register, parking, and sometimes restrooms or permit stations. They are the access point where hikers begin and end a hike and where key information about the route and regulations is posted.
Gaiters are protective sleeves worn over the lower legs and the tops of boots to keep out trail debris, water, mud, and snow. They range from low, breathable trail-running gaiters that block pebbles and grit to tall, waterproof mountaineering gaiters that seal out deep snow. They keep feet drier and cleaner and protect the legs in rough or wet terrain.
Ultralight backpacking is a philosophy and practice of minimizing the weight of one's gear to travel farther, faster, and more comfortably with less strain. It's commonly defined by base weight — the weight of a pack minus consumables (food, water, fuel) — with 'ultralight' generally meaning a base weight under about 10 pounds (and 'super ultralight' under 5). The approach prioritizes the heaviest items first while preserving safety.
Base weight is the weight of a loaded backpack excluding consumables — that is, everything you carry except food, water, and fuel (which get used up during a trip). Because it's a fixed, comparable figure, base weight is the standard metric backpackers use to gauge how light their kit is and to set goals. Lower base weight means less to carry every day, and it's the central number in lightweight and ultralight backpacking.
Elevation gain is the total amount of uphill climbing on a route, measured in feet or meters. Cumulative elevation gain adds up every climb along the way — not just the difference between the start and the high point — so a rolling trail can have far more gain than its net elevation change suggests. Along with distance, elevation gain is the key measure of a hike's difficulty, since climbing demands far more effort than walking flat ground.
Trekking poles are a pair of adjustable, lightweight staffs used while hiking to improve balance, reduce strain on the legs and knees (especially on descents), and provide propulsion on climbs. They engage the upper body, aid stability on uneven and slippery terrain, and can double as supports for an ultralight shelter. Most are adjustable and collapsible for packing.
