Is it a cairn or a duck?

[azbackpackr]

I like words, and as some of you know, I cringe when they are misspelled or mispronounced. (Not that I don't contribute my fair share to those unutterable travesties.)

Anyway, I notice two things with the younger generation of hikers, regarding rock trail markers: 1) They don't know how to pronounce "cairn," and 2) Somehow, the useful word "duck" has been disappearing from the lexicon, so now if you ask people in a hiking group if they know what a "duck" is, only the grizzled old guys who have been hiking for 50 years can give you the answer.

1. A "cairn" consists of a lot of rocks piled up to mark a trail. Usually more rocks than are necessary. A cairn also might mark the top of a peak, and could be very large, as tall as a person.

2. "Cairn" is NOT PRONOUNCED "Karen." It is not a chick's name, okay? It is NOT a two-syllable word, okay? It's a one-syllable word that rhymes with "bairn."

3. A "DUCK" is a trail marker using no more than two rocks. It is a better kind of trail marker. You can easily kick it over, too, if it seems unnecessary, and it won't hurt your foot to do so.

I would like to see the word "duck" to come back into common usage. So, I hereby announce that it is now coming back into common usage. So, please use it, and explain to others what it means.

Thank you!

[Sredfield]

The requirement is that cairns should be visible on Google Earth. (Per a two-time AZT thru-biker (with a B) and trail builder.)

[azbackpackr]

The requirement is that cairns should be visible on Google Earth. (Per a two-time AZT thru-biker (with a B) and trail builder.)

My goodness! Is that really necessary?

Do you know Pete Cowgill? He founded SAHC, along with Eber Glendening, back in 1958. He is well-known as a kicker-over of ducks and cairns. Doesn't believe in them at all.

Without a few ducks, Pt. Huitzil route in Grand Canyon would have been pretty hard to figure out.

What is not necessary is to create a "duck walk" with way too many of them.

[WilliamnWendi]

I am guilty of using the term duck and cairn synonymously, until now, thanks HAZ. Now I know and knowing is half the battle! Would it be easier if we just started using duck decoys for ducks? And "Pink Flamingos" for karens?

[joebartels]

He is well-known as a kicker-over of ducks and cairns.

so is rlrjamy
well, until he feels artsy or in need of finding his way back

[outdoor_lover]

The requirement is that cairns should be visible on Google Earth. (Per a two-time AZT thru-biker (with a B) and trail builder.)

Ok, so how do you determine that whether what you are seeing is a Cairn or simply a Rock formation, from space? See comment with this photo.

http://hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=230261