The Honeymoon is Over – The Trek

Everyone said there would be days like this, and for me, they arrived in the Smoky Mountains. Four years ago, I section hiked the Smokies and had five days of clear and spectacular weather. I knew replicating that on this year’s attempted thru hike would require a great deal of luck. Unfortunately, that was not the case, and combined with a newly developed pain in my left knee, the first days in the national park were miserable, not enjoyable.

Depression Hits

Depression is a powerful thing. It’s easy to appreciate why this is so difficult and hikers thin out. Fuck, I would be lying if I said I didn’t think about it. The weather and pain are a potent contributing combination to the mental state. Add in dampness, wetness, and being cold, and all you can think about is being home. In the Smokies, the shelters are packed (and reserved) by section hikers, so being shut out on bad weather nights adds to the frustration. Nothing is worse than packing up your tent in the morning rain! There were no views, and Clingman’s Dome was fogged in. It was the complete opposite of my 2021 section hike experience. 

Clingmans Dome: March 30, 2025

Clingmans Dome: April 4, 2021

A common saying on Trail is, ‘don’t quit on a bad day.’ Obviously, it would be easy to quit on these days, but that decision would certainly be filled with regret in the days that follow. My plan from the beginning was to spend a night in Gatlinburg, as I missed it in 2021. So getting there on a horrible rainy day worked to my advantage. Soaking wet, in the pouring rain, it was impossible to get a hitch at Newfound Gap. Luckily, Buddy and Babbitt came to our rescue, offering trail magic into town! 

Gatlinburg

Drying out in Gatlinburg was a Godsend. Add in a little moonshine and some thru hiker comradery and it was just what the doctor ordered for my mental health. The following day, I decided to take my first zero, to rest my knee, do laundry and check out the urgent care to see if I can get some treatment/advice. I also took time to catch up with life off-trail, equally important to my mental state. Despite not making any miles on trail, I felt so productive. It was a great day, and one that I didn’t realize I needed so badly. 

Galloway, me & Bougie

Back on trail, I pushed the next two days to get out of the Smokies, probably more than I should have considering the tenderness of my knee. Visibility was still poor, but the rain subsided and I got through it in one piece. I know this will not be the last time depression will occur, but hopefully I can manage similarly in the days ahead, as this is a marathon of physical and mental acumen. I’m looking forward to some of the upcoming iconic sections of the trail over the next couple of weeks: Max Patch, Hot Springs, and the Roan Highlands.

Misc:

Thanks to Buddy & Babbitt, Virginia @ Urgent Care for the shot of decadron, Jeff @ jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar, Meagan @ Baskin Robbins, Chelsea @ The Flapjack Pancake Cabin, and Ken from the First Baptist Church who drove me back to Newfound Gap. 

This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek’s ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Thanks for your support!

To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.