Because of Back issues I rest 2 to 3 days between my weekly 4.5 to 6 mile hikes 2 to 3 times a week with 15 lb pack. Also When I hike I am doing it for the exercise so I tend to push myself as hard as I can go for long distance. I thought this might be added details. I am figuring that this hike from all my research will take me 7 to 9 hours, and that I will be burning close to 5 to 6K in calories, that is why I was thinking of carbo loading the day before. There is no way I will eat 7 to 8k in calories in one day.

I went to Mt. Leconte in Gatlinburg. It was a great hike, and good day. The day started with rain. So repacked my pack after using zip-lock bags to keep everything dry (before is started), put on the rain gear after getting drenched (should have kept it on when it stopped raining for 20 min before I hit the trail), and had great time. I went up on the Rainbow Falls Trail, 6.6 miles. After passing Rainbow falls the fog began to set in, by the time I reached the Lodge on Leconte a heavy fog had set in and the rain quit. After a brief rest in the Lodge Office (watching a squirrel run around to office for 20 minutes) I made my way to the cliff tops .03 Mile and back .03. While at the Lodge office before going to Cliff Tops, a Grandpa and Grandson came in and they wanted to follow me to the top, I found out on the way that they were there to say good by to the Grandsons Mother (scatter a few ashes). When we got to the top, I let them know that I was a Preacher, we had a little talk about the Memories of the boy's Mother, and I lead a prayer. All I can say it was a moving experience. When I descended the Mountain I returned by the Bull Head Trail 6.8 Miles for a total of 14 Miles. The trip down was very isolated, the fog burned off, saw some great views of the Mountain, and felt a real accomplishment at the end of the day. I celebrated at the end of the trail with a 10 year aged Cigar, and then went to a Catfish Place (Huck Fins) and ordered the Fintastic Combo (Frog Legs, Catfish, shrimp, clams, fries, white beans, Slaw, Hush Puppies). I couldn't eat it all at once, I had to take some of it back to the room. All in all a great day. Yes I know the food was a huge cheat day, but I did burn a tone of calories, and by the next week I was down 5 lbs, I wished I could figure out how to get my pics to post in this forum. It was a great walk, I wished i could have done it a little faster, (6 hours walking time, about 8 1/2 all together) but I am planning on doing it again this year.