KarstsAn irregular area of limestone in which erosion has produced fissures, sinkholes, underground streams and caverns. KatabaticA wind flowing down valley sides and floors, usually as air cools, condenses and sinks at night. Kerf (camping)A cut made by an axe, saw, etc. KindlingSmall pieces of dry wood used to start a campfire. KinematicKinematic refers to the general movement patterns and directions of the …
Jaw (hunting)A part of a steel trap that comes together because of the action of the springs. Jaw SpreadThe distance between the inside of both jaws of a trap when measured across the trap jaws on a line perpendicular to a line drawn through the jaw pivot points when the trap is in a set position. …
Ice AgeInterval of geologic time between 2 million and 10,000 years ago during which the northern hemisphere experienced several episodes of continental glacial advance and retreat along with a climatic cooling. The icing over of Antarctica was also completed during this time. Iceberg (see more about icebergs)A large mass of floating ice that has broken off from a glacier, most of this …
HabitatA place in which a plant or an animal lives. Halyard (boating)A rope used to pull up a sail. HarborA sheltered area of water where ships may anchor safely. HarpoonA barbed spear used in hunting large fish. Hawser (boating)A larger diameter rope used for towing large vessels & barges. Heat LightningLightning that can be seen, but is …
GangreneThe death of body tissue due to bacterial infection or the lack of blood circulation. Gangrene results from surgery or in extreme situations where an individual is pinned under a fallen object and blood flow is disrupted for long periods of time. GaugeA measurement used to communicate the potency of a shotgun. The term refers …
The physiographic border between the piedmont and coastal plain regions. The name derives from the river rapids and falls that occur as the water flows from hard rocks of the higher piedmont onto the softer rocks of the coastal plain. Farm PondSmall manmade body of water. FathomSix feet of depth. Many nautical charts are marked in fathoms, not …
EarthquakeA disturbance or shaking of the Earth’s surface due to underground movement. Easterly WaveA wavelike disturbance in the tropical easterly winds that usually moves from east to west. Such waves can grow into tropical depressions. EastingThe vertical gridlines on a map so called because their numeric value increases from west to east. Ebb (ocean)Tidal currents that are moving away from …
Dab (climbing)Touching anything other than the climbing surface in any way, whether intentional or not; it is grounds for immediate termination of a ‘send’ attempt. DamA wall built across a stream or river to hold back water. Dark Timber (hunting) (also called “black timber”)Thick stands of coniferous trees that make good bedding cover for deer and especially elk. In Colorado, dark …
CagouleA waterproof, ankle length (over- the-head) parka used by mountaineers for bivouacking. Cagoules have well tailored hoods and drawstring hems. The wearer pulls his legs inside, draws the hem tight, and “outlasts” the elements. CairnA stack of rocks used to mark a trail’s route through areas devoid of trees. CalibreA term commonly used to describe …
BackbarrierFlats Low-lying sandy regions on the landward side of the sand dunes. Often covered with salt-tolerant grasses and shrubs. Backbarrier MarshMarsh formed behind a coastal barrier, often containing significant coarse sediment that has washed in from the seaward side. Back-ClippingA potentially hazardous mistake that can be made while lead climbing. The rope is clipped into a quickdraw such that …
Glossary A Abalakov ThreadA type of abseiling point used especially in winter and ice climbing. Also called as V-thread. Abaxial (Plants)The surface of a leaf that is facing away from the stem or trunk. It is situated away or outward from the axis. Abiotic factorsThe nonliving components of the environment that directly affect plant and animal life, such as water, carbon dioxide, …