Site Glossary

Terms and abbreviations

RDC - Right Down Canyon.  On the right side of the canyon if you are looking down the canyon.

LDC - Left Down Canyon.  On the left side of the canyon if you are looking down the canyon.

RUC - Right Up Canyon.  On the right side of the canyon if you are looking up the canyon.

LUC - Left Up Canyon.  On the left side of the canyon if you are looking up the canyon.

Carnivorous Walls - A term I use to describe walls that are rough and sharp and will tear you or your gear up if you slide on them.

Map Symbols

Have you ever wanted to know what the symbols on my maps mean?  I have gotten used to using certain map symbols to indicate specific things.  I may change it up from time to time but I do generally stick to the same symbols.  After getting used to what the symbols mean it makes reading my route maps a little easier.

Building icon used to show a building or structure of some kind.
Camping spot icon used to show camp spots.
Canyon icon used to show the technical top or bottom of routes.
Crossing icon used to show crossings of roads, creeks and other things.
Drive Point icon used to show drive points for navigating the drive into or out of an area.
Exit icon used to show where you exit one road and turn onto another.
Information icon used to show where a sign post or other information is posted.
Parking icon used to show where parking spots are.
Peak icon used to show mountain peaks.
Rappel icon used to show rappels.
Route Point icon used to show a generic point along a route on foot.
Scenic icon used to show a spot that is beautiful.
Survey icon used to show USGS markers
Trail Head icon used to show trailheads.  Also used to show trail junctions where multiple trails intersect.

GPS Waypoint Naming

Have you ever wanted to know what the details about my waypoint naming convention?

Prefix Designator:
The first one to three letters of a waypoint are in lower case and is a designator indicating what type of point it is, like a trailhead or rappel or head of a canyon etc.    In most cases only one lower case letter is used but at times up to three lower case letters are used.  Below is a list of some of the common prefix designators I use for my waypoint names.

• pk   = Parking Spot
• p     = Peak
• ext  = exit or turn off of a road way onto another roadway.
• t      = Trailhead
• j      = Junctions of trails or canyons
• y     = Technical top of bottom of canyons
• d     = Rappel
• w    = Generic waypoint
• s     = Scenic spot

Waypoint Name
After the designator is the waypoint name and starts with an upper case letter.  Most GPS units and mapping software allow only a limited number of characters for the waypoint name, usually around 14 characters.  To keep the names within that limit the names often need to be shortened of abbreviated.

Suffix Designators
I also use designators in the suffix of some waypoints.  It would make more sense if this were not the case left all the designation to the beginning of the waypoint name.  Unfortunately my naming convention and style has evolved over the years and the task of updating it all would require a lot of time and effort.  I have grown used to my naming convention and it works for me.  Hopefully the explanations here will help others understand and be comfortable with my naming convention as well.  Below is a list of some of the common suffix designators I use for my waypoint names.

• DP   = Drive Point
          A drive point is a GPS waypoint used while driving to get to or out of an area.
• RP   = Route Point
          A route point is a GPS waypoint used while on foot to aid in navigating the route.
• R     = Rappel

Waypoint Examples
    tGrandWash
        begins with "t" indicating that this waypoint is for a trailhead.
    extOrdervilleTp
        begins with "ext" indicating this waypoint marks an exit or turn off from a road.
    tOrdervilleTp
        Marks the trailhead for the top of Orderville.  Tp is short for top
    pkOrdrvlUprAlt
        Marks the parking spot for an alternate start of Upper Orderville. 
        There is more to this name making it longer which means it had to be abbreviated and shortened more to fit within the character limit.
    dEnglestedR10
        This is rappel number 10 for Englestead Canyon. 
        The designator "d" at the beginning indicates it is a rappel
        The suffix designator "R10" indicates this is rappel number 10
    wEnglestdRP-02
        The designator "w" at the beginning indicates this is a generic point not referring to a specific type of place or feature.
        The suffix designator "RP-02" indicates this is the route point number 2.