RidgeSyncHow to Plan Backpacking Days and Camps
To plan backpacking days and camps in RidgeSync, place a Campsite marker where each night ends, then use "+ Day" to add day cards and the day pager to move between them — each day gets its own route, camp, and stats for distance, gain, loss, and estimated time.
Most backpackers cover 8 to 15 miles a day on moderate terrain, but a good itinerary isn't one number repeated across every day — it's camps placed low, near water, and short of tomorrow's climb, which is exactly what the day-by-day workflow is built for.
Build your day-by-day itinerary
- Select the "Campsite" tool and click your camp location
In the map toolbar, click Campsite, then click the spot on the map where you plan to sleep. The cursor shows a "Click to place campsite" label while you're in placement mode.
Tip Aim for camps that are low, sheltered, and near a water source — check the elevation profile and your Water source markers before you commit the pin.
- Add another day with "+ Day"
In Edit mode, click "+ Day" to add a new day card to the trip. Each day carries its own route, camp, and markers, drawn independently of the days around it.
- Draw or extend the route for the new day
Switch to that day and use Draw route to lay out where it starts and ends. Days don't split automatically from a single long route — you draw each day's segment on its own.
- Name the day and add a description
Fill in the Day title field (it defaults to a placeholder like "Day 3") and the Description field with notes on the plan, conditions, or bail-out options for that day.
- Move between days with the day pager
Use the ‹ › day pager, which shows "Day N / total", or the Arrow keys to step through your itinerary and review each day in sequence.
- Check each day's stats before you commit
Every day shows Distance, Gain, Loss, High, Low, and Est. time, calculated with Naismith's rule (1 hour per 3 miles plus 1 hour per 2,000 feet of gain). Compare days side by side to catch one brutal outlier before you're living it.
Tip If one day's Gain is double the others, that's the day to shorten or split — not the one to power through on faith.
- Remove a day if the plan changes
Click Remove on a day card to delete it; RidgeSync confirms before removing so an accidental click can't erase a day's work.
Why camp placement is the real planning decision
The route gets you there, but the camp decides how the day actually feels. A camp placed at the top of a climb means arriving cold, tired, and often without water nearby; a camp placed low and near a marked water source means a shorter carry, easier cooking, and a warmer night — mountain valleys and low points typically run 10 to 20°F warmer than exposed ridgelines after sunset.
The per-day stats make the tradeoffs visible before you're on trail: if Day 2's Gain is 3,400 feet against Day 1's 1,100, that's the day to start earlier, shorten, or split — not the day to discover you're out of daylight three miles from camp.
Pro tips for setting up your itinerary
- Place camps low and near water first, then draw the route between them — it's easier than drawing a route and hoping a good camp appears at the end
- Keep the day-count stepper realistic when starting a new trip (1–14 days, default 3); you can always add or remove days later as the plan firms up
- Use the Expand pill to open the fullscreen itinerary and review Days and Conditions tabs together before finalizing camp placement
- Front-load or back-load elevation gain deliberately — climbing on fresh legs on Day 1 is usually easier than doing it exhausted on Day 4
A realistic itinerary is one where no single day is dramatically harder than the rest; use the per-day Distance, Gain, and Est. time stats to smooth out that curve before you commit to a schedule.
Try it live
Frequently asked questions
How do I plan backpacking days and camps in RidgeSync?
Place a Campsite marker where each night ends, use "+ Day" to add day cards for a multi-day trip, and draw each day's route separately. The day pager and Arrow keys move between days, and each shows Distance, Gain, Loss, High, Low, and Est. time.
Can I split one long route into multiple days automatically?
No — there's no drag-to-split day boundary. You draw each day's route individually after adding it with "+ Day", which keeps camps and stats tied to the day you actually intend to hike.
How many miles should I plan per day?
8 to 15 miles a day is typical for moderate terrain and a fit group, but let elevation gain, not just distance, set the pace — a 6-mile day with 4,000 feet of gain can take longer than a flat 14-mile day.
What makes a good campsite location?
Low elevation relative to the surrounding terrain, some wind shelter, and proximity to a reliable, already-marked water source. Avoid camping at the top of a climb or on an exposed saddle whenever the map gives you a better option nearby.