This section will go into overview and scientific detail of the mechanics of movement, especially in regards to hiking while comparing to flat walking and running. Discussion will include focus on impact forces, shoe design, ground stability, stress on joints, muscular demands, backpack weight, hiking sticks, and other variables...

Just for a quick start. Gotta start with basic physics. When you jump, what brings you back down? Gravity. When you try to climb, jump, or hike - the force of gravity is pulling you down. It takes energy to overcome this.

In running, gravity is important but not nearly as much as you are basically moving horizontally. So people can go pretty fast - at running speeds. Can you run as fast when you are moving uphill? No way! Or at least, for not nearly as long!