1. What is the Hiking Calories Burned Equation?

The calories burned during hiking are calculated using the Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) value for hiking. This provides an estimate of energy expenditure based on your weight, duration of activity, and intensity level.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following equation:

Where:

• \( weight \) — Body weight in kilograms
• \( time \) — Duration of hiking in hours
• \( MET_{hiking} \) — Metabolic equivalent for hiking (typically 6.0 for general hiking)

Explanation: The equation calculates total energy expenditure by multiplying your weight by the duration and intensity of the activity.

3. Importance of Calories Calculation

Details: Knowing calories burned helps with weight management, fitness tracking, and planning nutritional needs for outdoor activities.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your weight in kg, hiking duration in hours, and the MET value (default is 6.0 for general hiking). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a MET value?
A: MET stands for Metabolic Equivalent of Task, which represents the energy cost of physical activities. 1 MET is the energy expended at rest.

Q2: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides a reasonable estimate but actual calories burned may vary based on terrain, pack weight, and individual metabolism.

Q3: What MET value should I use?
A: General hiking is about 6.0 METs. Use higher values (7-8) for steep terrain or heavy packs, lower (4-5) for easy trails.

Q4: Should I use kg or pounds?
A: The calculator uses kg. To convert pounds to kg, divide by 2.205.

Q5: Does this account for elevation gain?
A: The standard MET value doesn't specifically account for elevation. For steep hikes, consider using a higher MET value.