200 Miles and a well-earned Zero

Reflections from Day Zero – Gatlinburg
I’m sitting in Gatlinburg with a well-earned zero, remembering the last 100 miles.
I’m getting stronger and have lost a few pounds along the way. I’ve been toying with an idea lately: leading small groups through the first 100 miles of the trail. Years ago, I read about “fatpacking” (burning massive energy while walking) and now I’m living it. I see the value firsthand.
I want to help people get started, even if they just want to hike in sections. This could give a real boost to those of us who used to stay in shape but spent years paying the price for the standard American diet.
What it takes (calories and reality)
Estimated burn for a 10 mile day:

Backpacking (moderate/heavy backpacking): ~3000–4000+ calories
Aggressive hiking (steep terrain/heavy pack): ~5000+ calories
Right now, I cover 7-12 miles a day depending on terrain, weather, and mood. The rhythm limits me.
And yes, I move slowly.
I travel about 2 mph on the flat or downhill. On the climbs, I crawl. I have taken 90 minutes per mile on steep sections. Leaving the NOC, I spent over 9 hours traveling 7 miles to the shelter. That pace is still noticeable and can be discouraging.
But I accept it: I’m not 30 years old anymore.
Perspective from the trail
I heard a hiker say:
«I have a lot of time and money being retired; I just lack energy. Young people have all the energy, but not always the time or money.»
That stuck with me.
It helped… at least a little. Still, being passed by 60-year-old hikers hurts. On the other hand, a couple I met are finishing their Triple Crown. I still can’t match that experience, but I can hope to achieve it.
Why do I keep going?
The positive outweighs everything else.
I see the forest awakening from winter. What seemed sterile weeks ago is now full of life. Each day brings more flora and fauna than the previous.
The deer walk within 10 feet of me and graze without a care. A bear crossed a gap right in front of me while I took a smoke break before another long climb.
And the flowers, thousands of them. Tiny, vibrant, covering the forest floor in a way I can’t fully describe.
Gratitude
I feel grateful, deeply grateful.
I have a body that allows me to do this. I can experience this. I gain every mile, even the most brutal ones.
I will write again when the trail pushes me to do so.
If you have questions, find me on Instagram: @jer.hoot
If you want to make a donation, I’ll use it to buy food for a fellow hiker in town.
The magic of the trails is real and powerful.

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