Here is the official definition of hillwalking and scrambling terms, to translate the often confusing and incomprehensible waffle that flows from the mouths of the hillwalkers.
Author: Sarah Hammond (and others).
- "It's hard work, this"
- This is absolutely knackering.
- "I haven't been hillwalking/scrambling for a while"
- This is more knackering/frightening than I remember. Should have stayed at home.
- "I've found a stream to fill up my water bottle"
- I've fallen into the stream/river/tarn.
- "This scramble is a bit damp"
- There is a small waterfall flowing down the scramble; all the handholds are wet and it's scary.
- "It's a bit damp"
- It's chucking it down with rain and I'm absolutely soaked.
- "This route is a bit interesting"
- This is very scary and I'm very scared.
- "I want my mum"
- Actually, I don't want my mum, because she would be more frightened than I am, more stuck, and fuming that I was doing this anyway. But I do want some help, sympathy and advice.
- "I want a double whisky"
- I am scared; I want something to calm my nerves. When does the scary bit end?
- "Strenuously uphill"
- I need an hour's sleep at the top.
- "My feet hurt"
- I have huge blisters all over my feet, and my heels are glowing so red that they could supply the National Grid for a week.
- "What a good view!"
- The mist has suddenly cleared; we can see where we are - and there's a huge drop in front of us.