The reports in Connect show Elevation Gain and Elevation Loss, whereas the trip report on my GPSMap 60CSx shows Total ascent. The numbers are significantly different. E.g., on a recent hike up Mt Wilson the Total Ascent is 4688, whereas the Elevation Gain is 5379 and Loss is 5373. The Total Ascent shown on the device is 4689.
I am pretty clear on what Total Ascent is, i.e., the sum of elevation gain in all uphill segments. However, Elevation Gain is not quite so clear. It could mean the difference between the starting point elevation and the highest point, but for this hike that would be 5704-2100= 3604, not even close to the Elevation Gain. Or, it could mean the difference between the highest elevation and the lowest elevation, for this hike 5704-1772 = 3932, again far from Total Ascent. Adding to the confusion is that sometimes my hikes show the Elevation Gain significantly different from the Elevation Loss, even though the starting and ending points are the same.
So, could someone please tell me the exact definition of these terms as implemented on Connect?
I'd also like to know why Connect doesn't show Total Ascent. That, to me, is far more important than Elevation Gain. For example, if a hiker climbs a 100 foot hill and takes the option of a flat trail back to the stating point he will have a total ascent of 100 feet, but if he returns along the trail back over the hill he will have climbed 200 feet. In both case, though, his Elevation Gain is 0.
Ed
