Dictionary?

There used to be a Wiki, but it sort of died.

I swear that there WAS some sort of "hiker lingo" thread a while back, though…

EDIT: Ah, yes, here it is:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=38282

And eventually the guy who started it made a document, here:

https://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=1doJ68Vm6wP_bFMkks0fYR_KgYP0noILhai3lWlO70Nk&hl=en&pli=1

It's rather thin, though.

P.S. What the heck does OWA mean ???

But PU is polyurethane, a cheap and effective way to waterproof something, though it tends to be heavy. Cuben is a fabric that tents/tarps/backpacks can be made of- there are different kinds but usually it involves two layers of Mylar with a layer of fibers between them. Sometimes one later is nylon, for strength. It is very light and very expensive. Technically it's "stronger" than most silnylons that get used for those functions around here, but that strength does not mean that it is more durable- it is in fact less durable in most ways that count. You do have to baby it a little.

Making a dictionary of hiker jargon, slang and acronyms might be a fun project. I found a few with google, but they're all pretty lame.

Not be be an ass, but "google.com"

It'll prolly lead you back here, but hopefully lead you to the pertinent thread.

John,
Dictionary? Hah!
Companies, models, versions, tech, jargon, webspeak … there's just to much to keep track of.
No real tools here either, or FAQ, or Stickies.

This site is antiquated in many regards, but it is also the repository of a Lot of knowledge and experience, with many folks ready to help.

Just keep asking. Pick a topic and beat it to death – shelter, stoves, packs, food, … etc.
The better your context and specifics, the better the answers.

It will be a steep learning curve, but unless you want to read through a gazillon posts there is no other way.

Welcome, such as it is …

It might not be a bad idea, as a complete newbie to UL type stuff, to purchase a full membership to BPL instead of just the forum membership so you can start reading all of the articles written by staffers. Easier to navigate than the forum.

Of course it is possible to glean almost all of that information from the forums, it will just take patience.

Old IT joke: What does ATM stand for?

All Together Too-much !!!

:)

Lots of jargon and acronyms for sure.

If you google (I know, I know) "lightweight backpacking glossary" you'll find several sites with many pertinent terms. Alas, there is no one great resource.

Have to glean what you can from various resources.

If you want to go "old school" in this technology known as book, Skurka's guide has many of the newer terms:
http://andrewskurka.com/product/ultimate-hikers-gear-guide/

(Full disclosure, Andrew is my employer twice a year when I assist him. But, he's a good guy and his book is very "meat and potatoes" for anyone new to hiking in 2014)

Hope that helps.