La Cloche Silhouette Day 4

Uphill segments use Pandolf at the GPX-derived average uphill grade. Downhill is treated as level walking — Pandolf’s negative-grade output is unrealistically symmetric for hikers, so we don’t subtract calories on the way down. A walking-economy multiplier (~0.5% per year past 30, capped at +30%) accounts for the gradual decline in VO₂max with age. Estimate only — actual burn varies with fitness, weather, pack distribution, and terrain.