What does elevation gain and loss mean?
Elevation gain is the total amount you will climb in a day, and elevation loss is the total amount you will descend in a day. For example, if you climb 1000 feet, descend 500 feet, and then climb an additional 300 feet, the elevation gain would be 1300 feet and the elevation loss would be 500 feet. Most of your hikes will begin at or near sea level.