5 Key Takeaways
- Backpacking progress varies by terrain, elevation, and pack weight, making time a more reliable planning metric than mileage.
- Planning by hours helps prevent late arrivals, unsafe end-of-day travel, and misjudged water or campsite timing.
- Elevation gain, trail surface, and seasonal conditions significantly affect how long each segment takes to complete.
- Time-based planning aligns daily movement with campsite availability, water access, and favorable weather conditions.
- Experienced hikers refine hour estimates through observation, trip logs, and post-trip adjustments to improve future planning.
