I'm certainly no expert on running caloric intak but have done the PPA and PPM several times... Lots of folks do a gel every 45 min to an hour,,, if your are a newbie or just expect to Ascent in 4 hours or so, that's lots of gels... use them and use them early! too little, too late is a disaster. drink, drink, drink,,,it's a long race and dehydration at altitude is a recipe for another disaster. Salt, helps with cramping--other use other things, I've heard tumms and motrine,,, I don't like either. Keep in mind, above treeline 12,000 ft ,,, eating and "running" seems to = barf. Rachel is right,,,, experiment, if you can, otherwise, drink and consume early and PACE! Running out too fast early will counter much of the rest. Just my 2 cents