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Give us Aussies the most basic object, and we’ll still find a name for it that’s more interesting than its function.
From spondoolies to spigots – in this episode of the Snowys Camping Show, Ben and Lauren take the switchback path to the summit, covering some of the most used lingo at the campsite.
Join our outdoor experts as they clip on the crampons, tighten the knot of their tucker bag, and swipe right on the true definition of tinder.
Short Cuts
00:00 – Intro
01:07 – Bivy
03:15 – Billabong
04:37 – Bore
05:17 – BTU
06:31 – Cairn
07:59 – Cordura
08:42 – DEET
10:16 – Denier & GSM
12:14 – Donkey Shower
13:54 – Donga
14:15 – Ferrule
15:03 – GVM
15:25 – Geodesic
15:38 – GORP
16:07 – SCROGGIN
16:54 – Grommet
17:35 – Different Types of Toilets
18:35 – No-See-Um-Mesh
19:32 – PSI & kPa
20:02 – R-Value
20:20 – Rip-Stop Nylon
21:25 – Ridge & Saddle
22:40 – Switchback
23:09 – Summit
23:15 – Spondoolie / Spondonical
24:09 – Shellite
24:59 – Spigot
25:30 – Freestanding
26:22 – Taped Seam
26:51 – Tinder
27:26 – Tent Season
28:29 – Ultralight & Lightweight Hikers
30:01 – Vestibule
30:44 – Waterhead Rating
32:01 – Tucker Bag
32:23 – Dilly Bag
32:41 – Blunnies
33:10 – Troopy
33:40 – UHF Vs UHF CB Radio
34:33 – Tinny
34:38 – Crampon
35:14 – DWR
Mentioned in this Episode
Products:
Spondoolie / spondoncial / pot-gripper
Podcasts:
Ep31 – Creepy Crawlies at the Campsite
Ep4 – Packing Your Vehicle Like A Minimalist
Ep11 – Sleep System Ratings with Sea to Summit
Ep16 – Tent Waterhead Ratings with Zempire
Bivy / Hoochie
A bivy describes a waterproof sack for emergency purposes, made of a tarp-like material. The term is also used in mountaineering, referring to a small space in which a camper can ‘bivy down on’.
Unlike a Hoochie – a piece of tarp that serves as a small covering – a bivy is best described as a bag rather than a shelter. Lauren likes to picture it as similar to the people-sized plastic bags worn at an AFL game during wet weather!
Billabong
According to Lauren and Ben’s research, a billabong refers to a branch or body of water formed by a river’s stream during a flood. The excess flow forms a backwater or stagnant pool, and ultimately a lake separate from the river itself.
Bore
A bore is a man-made water source, where the earth has been physically drilled down to create a water vessel. Bores can form billabongs and are often made to convert drier areas to wetlands.
BTU
A BTU is an acronym for a unit of heat measurement called the British Thermal Unit, often indicated on kitchen appliances such as stoves.
While BTUs are a non-descript unit of measurement (unlike millilitres, which simply measure volumes of water), Ben and Lauren will discuss them further in a future episode detailing camp stoves and portable cooking appliances. Here, they’ll uncover how BTUs are quantifiable, how they’re measured, and how many degrees a certain number of BTUs translates to.
Cairn
Often marking a high point on a mountain, a cairn describes a neat pile of rocks traditionally constructed for navigational purposes. Cairns tend to be landmarks on mountain peaks or indicators of when a path may change course. Lauren describes a large cairn on the top of Mt Cavern in South Australia, measuring roughly 170cm tall and as wide as a standard-sized, circular tabletop.
Cordura
Cordura is the trademarked name of a collection of heavy-duty, synthetic, and fibre-based materials in a fabric. Brands such as Gore-Tex and Kodra are also examples of trademarked names, referring to different products. Some Cordura products include luggage bags, trousers, and some military wear.
DEET
Another acronym, DEET refers to Diethyl Toluamide which is an ingredient found in most supermarket insect repellents. The chemical is relatively strong and can cause discomfort on sensitive skin types, so best applied in moderation. For more information on this product, check out Ep31 – Creepy Crawlies at the Campsite.
Denier & GSM
Denier describes a single strand of fibre measuring 9000m in length, bundled up and weighed. From that, the term ‘denier’ references a fabric’s thickness, specifically the individual fibres in its threads.
This term is not to be confused with grams per square metre (gsm). Where gsm describes how many grams of fabric are in one square metre, denier is the weight of the individual fibre within that fabric.
A material may have a gsm measurement that differs from that of its denier. For example, a material with a low GSM can have a high denier, common in thick fabrics that are loosely woven. On the other hand, a more tightly woven fabric would have a higher GSM.
Donkey Shower
Most know a ‘donkey shower’ as simply water heated by a campfire and transported through to the outdoor showerhead.
Moreover, the shower is a homebuilt unit comprising of a tall canister (like that of LPG gas) filled with water. When heated over a fire, the water boils and creates a natural pressure that pushes it upwards and out through the showerhead. A donkey shower follows the science involved in hot air rising, responding to the natural pressure from the steam.
Donga
This term can initially read as a little crass (don’t fight it, we were all thinking it) – however, a donga refers to a transportable house or room! Usually constructed with lightweight materials to allow easy transportation from site to site, dongas are often utilised as a classroom or means of accommodation for workers.
Ferrule
A ferrule is a small metal tube that is often used in the case of a broken tent pole. The ferrule is threaded over the snapped pole and fixed with gaffer tape to allow further use when spare poles aren’t accessible.
Some pop-up tents have poles that if snapped can be difficult to replace, so ferrules are often handy to keep on hand in such situations for repair purposes.
GVM
Simply, GVM is an initialism of Gross Vehicle Mass, which indicates the total mass your vehicle is allowed to weigh. More information on GVM can be found within a previous episode of the Snowys Camping Show, Packing Your Vehicle Like A Minimalist.
Geodesic
This term refers to a domed shelter with more than two crossing poles. Often a geodesic shelter will include multiple poles to enable a sturdier, more steadfast model.
GORP
If you’re an avid outdoorsman or woman, something you’re sure to love more than an acronym is Good Old Raisins and Peanuts! As the full term suggests, GORP refers to a variety of trail mix.
SCROGGIN
The luxury GORP, this summit-time snack is a mixed bag of Sultanas Chocolate Raisins and Other Good Grub Including Nuts!
Grommet
No, not the clay companion of Wallace, or a grubby child into wicked outdoor adventure sports – a grommet in camping terms refers to the small metal ring in the corner of your tarp! Also known as an ‘eyelet’, a grommet aids the pegging and securing of a piece of tarp into the ground.
Different Types of Toilets:
From Eco-Friendly to Outhouse
Don’t worry, bringing toilet paper to the campsite doesn’t make you a party pooper. Beyond the domestic dunnies, it’s common to utilize various portable toilet types on a road trip. Examples of eco-friendly varieties include compost, sawdust, and transportable.
Compost and sawdust toilets are both ‘dry’ toilets that treat and process waste through biological composting. Most don’t involve water for flushing, where sawdust is an example of an additive used to create air pockets in the waste to initiate aerobic decomposition. Alternatively, transportable toilets flush away waste into a holding tank located beneath the seat. Chemicals inside reduce smells and germs until the waste is emptied.
Other eco-toilets include outhouses and biogas digesters. Where an outhouse describes a small structure housing a toilet and located away from a main home or building, a biogas digester applies an anaerobic system to decompose waste and convert it into renewable biogas. This gas can subsequently be used as cooking fuel.
No-See-Um Mesh
No-See-Um is a trademarked name for midges, but describes an incredibly fine mesh found on some swags and tents. While it prevents most insects and bothersome bugs from entering your sunset sanctuary, No-See-Um mesh avoids claiming to be midge-proof. This is because a midge is so tiny that it can invade enclosed spaces via other openings such as zips or small tears, collapsing the reliability of any midge-proof claim.
PSI and kPa
A unit of pressure, PSI is an initialism for Pounds per Square Inch and measures the pressure in a tire. The term can also be used in relation to air tents or other inflatable apparatuses.
A kilopascal, or kPa, is another unit of pressure. Where one pascal is the equivalent of one kilogram per metre per second squared, a kilopascal signifies one thousand pascals.
Of the two units, PSI is more commonly used.
R-Value
An R-value is the measure of thermal resistance, used in reference to the insulation of a mattress. Lauren and Ben elaborate more on this term in Sleep System Ratings with Sea to Summit.
Rip-Stop Nylon
The term ‘rip-stop’ alone refers to a method of fabric design where a heavier denier fibre is woven through a material in a grid-like pattern (mimicking maths graph paper). This prevents tearing in the fabric, or simply stops an existing tear from growing any further.
The rip-stop feature can be found in canvas and polyester as well as nylon, but more common in the latter due to its lightweight construction requiring more durability.
Ridge & Saddle
Both geographical terms, a ridge refers to the path that links a chain of mountains, where the dip between each is called the saddle. Essentially, following the ridge will bring one to the saddle.
Switchback
Following on, a switchback is the path that takes a walker back up the saddle. Instead of leading straight up the slope, the switchback is the longer, more gradual route at a lower gradient.
Summit
The summit is the highest point of a mountain.
Spondoolie / Spondonical
Common in Trangia collections, spondoolie or spondonical refers to a ‘pot gripper’, or a handle used to clip onto a pot that is too hot to lift with bare hands. A basic description of a spondoolie is two pieces of U-shaped metal with a hook on one end that grips the lip of the pot.
Shellite
Also known as petroleum distillate, shellite is a more refined version of unleaded petrol. Shellite is not to be confused with white spirits, which otherwise refers to a laundry detergent. In America, another term for shellite is ‘white gas’.
Spigot
Another fantastic tool with an equally as fantastic name, a spigot is the insert at the end of an awning or tent pole that pokes through a grommet or eyelet.
Freestanding
The term ‘freestanding’ refers to when a tent is independently holding its shape. More relevant to hiking tents, the word describes those which can be erected fully without the need for pegs. Occasionally, rocky or rugged terrain on mountainside won’t allow for sufficient pegging – and while freestanding tents help in these circumstances, the use of guy ropes are still recommended to anchor the tent to the ground.
Taped Seam
A taped seam of tent or swag assists with waterproofing. When the polyurethane-coated (or PU-coated) waterproof fabric is stitched together, leaking points remain within the seams. Tape is then applied with heat and pressure, producing a seal.
Tinder
Not the app, but a similar concept – tinder in camping terms refers to the flammable material that can be lit with a mere spark for the purpose of lighting kindling for a campfire.
Ah, just like love.
Tinder doesn’t refer to a specific material. Where a cotton bud is one of many examples, other tinder materials can come from particular parts of timber.
Tent Season
Many tents indicate a season rating that ranges between one and four, suggesting the types of weather conditions they may withstand in their lifetime. Where a two-season tent is recommended for use in Summer and Spring, a three-season tent introduces Autumn weather, and four-season confirms year-round use.
A tent’s season rating may not be a line in the sand, but it serves as a useful guide. For example, while a one-season tent can technically allow use in colder environments, it’s not recommended. This is because the materials and features differ between a one-season and four-season tent, where the latter often has a higher water rating, a full mesh inner, and higher-grade poles.
A two-season tent is recommended for use in Summer. Credit: Shutterstock
Lightweight & Ultralight Hikers
Each term refers to a group of people who aim to carry as less weight on their hike as they realistically can.
While ‘lightweight’ covers most hikers who enjoy trekking without bearing the bulk, ultralight hikers are within the realm of those who cut down anywhere they can – for example, removing small items such as toothbrushes. A load weighing 12kg can be considered ‘ultralight’.
Ultralight hikers can shed weight from their load in as little as grams. The idea is that the lighter one’s gear is, the more food can be taken for adequate top-ups on their trek. For example, cutting down 200g in one area allows room for an extra block of chocolate for emergency energy!
Vestibule
A vestibule – pronounced ‘veh-stah-byool’ – is the front section of a tent, not to be mistaken for the awning.
Where an awning is pegged out for shade, the vestibule provides space between the inner and the fly of a tent or swag. Moreover, it refers to the additional triangular shaped fabric pegged out to allow extra shade or weather protection for any gear kept outside.
Waterhead Rating
Simply put, this term refers to how waterproof your tent is, usually measured in millilitres. For more on waterhead ratings, join Lauren and Ben in their chat with Ryan from Zempire throughout Episode 16, Tent Waterhead Ratings with Zempire.
IPX rating
An IPX rating also refers to waterproofing, but moreso associated with devices. For example, a gadget with an IPX 4 rating is splash-proof, translating to its ability to withstand light sprays but the inability to be submerged in water or caught in direct rain. An IPX 6 rating however allows a device to be submerged in water up to one metre. The higher the number rating, the more waterproof a device becomes.
Occasionally, a device will state a second number attached to the IPX – this indicates a dust rating.
Tucker Bag
A tucker bag describes fabric used to wrap and encase food in, tied on the end of a long stick. Picture the jolly swagman in Waltzing Matilda!
Dilly Bag
The brother of the tucker bag, a dilly bag allows campers to carry their cutlery and crockery. This could also be a tea towel, serving a dual purpose for cleaning dishes after use.
Blunnies
Simply a shortened term for Blundstone boots. While ‘blunnies’ originates from a specific brand, it can also refer to any leather boot with elastic sides. The exception is R.M. William boots, a classier style instead dubbed as ‘RMs’.
Troopy
In classic Aussie lingo, a Toyota Land Cruiser Troop Carrier is commonly shortened to ‘Troopy’. These 4WDs are as tough as nails against the off-road terrain.
UHF Vs UHF CB Radios
Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) radios are typically used for communicating between vehicles when convoy driving and scanning highways. As UHF radio transmissions don’t allow private communication, those in range are privy to all conversations. For this reason, general etiquette is expected.
A UHF CB radio is that of Ultra-High Frequency Citizen Band, for wider use by civilians.
Where some channels available are used for general conversation and chit-chat, other channels are for emergencies concerning relevant services, such as an ambulance.
Tinny
Commonly describing a small aluminium boat, a tinny also refers to a can of beer.
Crampon
A crampon is the spikey attachment fastened to the bottom of a pair of boots for added grip when ice climbing or trekking through snow.
DWR
Ending with an acronym, DWR is an abbreviation of Durable Water Repellency. The feature simply provides added waterproofing of some tents, sleeping bags, and jackets. As per ‘Waterhead Rating’, Lauren and Ben elaborate on DWR with Ryan from Zempire in a future episode.
Like the wax on your car, DWR is added to some products as additional protection from water – so camping in wet weather is like water off a duck’s back!
Thanks for listening, tune in again for next week’s episode!
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Catch you out there!