Habitat
A place in which a plant or an animal lives.
Halyard (boating)
A rope used to pull up a sail.
Harbor
A sheltered area of water where ships may anchor safely.
Harpoon
A barbed spear used in hunting large fish.
Hawser (boating)
A larger diameter rope used for towing large vessels & barges.
Heat Lightning
Lightning that can be seen, but is too far away for the thunder to be heard.
Hemisphere
Half of the earth usually referred to as eastern or western; northern or southern.
Herd
A number of animals kept, feeding, or traveling together.
Herbivore
A plant eater.
Highball (climbing)
A term for a boulder problem that is so high, falling when close to the top could cause serious injury. Some highballs have anchor bolts at the top to allow for protected top-rope climbing.
Highland
An area of hills, plateaus, and mountains.
Hill
A raised area or mount of land. (see more about hills)
Hitch (knots)
A loop around an object then back around itself.
Hogback
An eroded, steeply tilted ridge of resistant rocks with equal slopes on the sides.
Hone
To sharpen hooks or knives with a stone.
Hoodoo
A column or pillar of bizarre shape caused by differential erosion on rocks of different hardness.
Hootchie
Ground sheet often used by the military for shelters.
Horizon
A distinct layer of soil encountered in vertical section.
Horn (hunting)
A permanent protrusion from a game animal’s head, as opposed to antlers, which are shed annually. Sheep and antelope species have horns, while deer have antlers.
Humidity
The amount of water vapor in the atmosphere.
Hummocky
Uneven, lumpy terrain.
Humus
The black material on top of the soil resulting from the decay of dead material.
Hydrography
The study of the surface waters of the Earth.
Hydroponics
The growing of plants, especially vegetables, in water containing essential mineral nutrients rather than in soil.
Hyperthermia
Otherwise known as heat exhaustion, heatstroke or sunstroke, occurs when the body absorbs too much heat. Heat regulation within the body becomes compromised, leading to a rapid climb in body temperature requiring immediate medical attention.
Hypoadrenia
Also adrenal exhaustion or adrenal fatigue. Responsible for the short-term stress response known as “fight or flight,” the adrenal glands can function improperly when overstressed, leading to fatigue, mood disorders and depression.
Hypothermia
A condition where your body loses more heat than it produces. (see more about hypothermia)