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In the simplest case of a journey where a climber only travels ''up'' on their way to a summit, the cumulative elevation gain (CAG) is the difference between the summit and starting elevation. For example, if they start a climb at an elevation of and continue up to a summit of then their CAG while standing on the summit is (i.e 5,000 ft less 1,000 ft). In descending from the summit to return to their start they don't have to make any other gains in elevation (i.e. it is just continuously down), so their total CAG for the journey stays at , which is the total of the vertical distance they climbed.
Now take the case of a journey where a climber travels across several summits with more "ups-and-downs". For example, consider two mountains whose summits are both at in elevation, and between them is a low point at an elevation of . If a climber starts their journey at an elevation of , their CAG is by the time they reach the first summit (i.e. 5,000 ft less 1,000 ft). They then drop down to the low point between the summits and have to gain another to get to the top of the second summit. On the second summit, the climber has a CAG of (i.e 4,000 ft plus another 3,000 ft). To return home, they have to drop back down to the low point at and then gain another to get back to the first summit. Now they have a CAG of (i.e 4,000 ft plus 3,000 ft plus another 3,000 ft). In descending from the first summit to return to their start they don't have to make any other gains in elevation (i.e. it is just continuously down), and their total CAG for the journey stays at {{convert, 10000, ft, m.
CAG captures the effect that travels on terrain with a lot of "ups-and-downs" that will result in a lot of vertical climbing.
Elevation Gain and 5,000+ Foot Elevation Gain Lists
*
cycling
Cycling, also known as bicycling or biking, is the activity of riding a bicycle or other types of pedal-driven human-powered vehicles such as balance bikes, unicycles, tricycles, and quadricycles. Cycling is practised around the world fo ...
, hiking
A hike is a long, vigorous walk, usually on trails or footpaths in the countryside. Walking for pleasure developed in Europe during the eighteenth century. Long hikes as part of a religious pilgrimage have existed for a much longer time.
"Hi ...
, mountaineering
Mountaineering, mountain climbing, or alpinism is a set of outdoor activities that involves ascending mountains. Mountaineering-related activities include traditional outdoor climbing, skiing, and traversing via ferratas that have become mounta ...
and running
Running is a method of terrestrial locomotion by which humans and other animals move quickly on foot. Running is a gait with an aerial phase in which all feet are above the ground (though there are exceptions). This is in contrast to walkin ...
, the term cumulative elevation gain (or cumulative gain) is the total of every gain in elevation
The elevation of a geographic location (geography), ''location'' is its height above or below a fixed reference point, most commonly a reference geoid, a mathematical model of the Earth's sea level as an equipotential gravitational equipotenti ...
made throughout a journey. Elevation losses (i.e. periods when the person is descending) are not counted or offset against this measure. Cumulative elevation gain, and the total distance of the journey, are two key metrics used to quantify the physical demands of a journey.
Calculation
In the simplest case of a journey where a climber only travels ''up'' on their way to a summit, the cumulative elevation gain (CAG) is the difference between the summit and starting elevation. For example, if they start a climb at an elevation of and continue up to a summit of then their CAG while standing on the summit is (i.e 5,000 ft less 1,000 ft). In descending from the summit to return to their start they don't have to make any other gains in elevation (i.e. it is just continuously down), so their total CAG for the journey stays at , which is the total of the vertical distance they climbed.
Now take the case of a journey where a climber travels across several summits with more "ups-and-downs". For example, consider two mountains whose summits are both at in elevation, and between them is a low point at an elevation of . If a climber starts their journey at an elevation of , their CAG is by the time they reach the first summit (i.e. 5,000 ft less 1,000 ft). They then drop down to the low point between the summits and have to gain another to get to the top of the second summit. On the second summit, the climber has a CAG of (i.e 4,000 ft plus another 3,000 ft). To return home, they have to drop back down to the low point at and then gain another to get back to the first summit. Now they have a CAG of (i.e 4,000 ft plus 3,000 ft plus another 3,000 ft). In descending from the first summit to return to their start they don't have to make any other gains in elevation (i.e. it is just continuously down), and their total CAG for the journey stays at {{convert, 10000, ft, m.
CAG captures the effect that travels on terrain with a lot of "ups-and-downs" that will result in a lot of vertical climbing.
Devices
Cumulative elevation gain can be recorded and calculated automatically usingGPS device
A satellite navigation (satnav) device or GPS device is a device that uses satellites of the Global Positioning System (GPS) or similar global navigation satellite systems (GNSS).
A satnav device can determine the user's geographic coordinates ...
s such as Garmin
Garmin Ltd. is an American multinational technology company based in Olathe, Kansas. The company designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes GPS-enabled products and other navigation, communication, sensor-based, and information ...
or Strava
Strava is an American internet service for tracking physical exercise which incorporates social network features. It started out tracking mostly outdoor cycling and running activities using Global Positioning System (GPS) data, but now incorpor ...
.
See also
* Naismith's rule *Traverse (climbing)
In climbing and mountaineering, a traverse is a section of a climbing route where the climber moves laterally (or horizontally), as opposed to in an upward direction. The term has broad application, and its use can range from describing a brief ...
* Topographic prominence
In topography, prominence or relative height (also referred to as autonomous height, and shoulder drop in US English, and drop in British English) measures the height of a mountain or hill's summit relative to the lowest contour line encircling ...
References
Elevation Gain and 5,000+ Foot Elevation Gain Lists
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National Three Peaks Challenge
The National Three Peaks Challenge is an event in which participants attempt to climb the highest mountains of England, Scotland and Wales within 24 hours. It is frequently used to raise money for charitable organisations. Walkers climb each pe ...
- use of phrase 'total ascent'
Mountaineering
Vertical position
Hiking
Cycling