energy burned while backpacking

“just wondering.

Let's say I carry a 30 lbs pack and hike 10 miles that day. Not a lot of huffn' 'n puffn going on, but I break a little sweat, not much but a little...

now there is this other person, same backpack weight about 30 lbs. Same trail, same difficulty. Lots of huffn 'n puffn. Lots of sweating.

I know heavier people burn more calories because they have to carry more weight, but let's say she wouldn't be heavier...so let's pretent this other person is about my weight.

would I still be burning the same amount of calories if I am not feeling exhausted?

Always wondered about that.”

“Technically work is defined as force X distance. Force here being the gravitational pull on you and your pack = your total trail weight.

So you both spend roughly the same amount of calories.

But, training and hiking technique make a big difference, there is an easy way and a hard way to do most things.

I would guess that the huffer an puffer is spending much more calories because they are not hiking efficiently and their body is not tuned to hike.

An example is the first run after a layoff, it is hard work, but by about the third day you are easily running faster with less effort than the first day because you muscles are now tuned for that activity. 3 days is not enough time for you to lose any significant weight or add any muscle, it is just the tuning.”

“Thanks, did't think anyone knew!
It's actually an answer I wasn't expecting, but it's the answer I like to hear :)

for some reason I thought if you're more exhausted, you'd burn more calories. Not sure why...”