5 Things No One Told Me Would Happen After I Finished my Thru-Hike

Tis the season that weary long-distance trekkers are returning home and settling back into their “normal” life. In addition to a case of the post-hike blues they may be discovering some other surprising things that no one prepared me for on my first thru-hike. So, whether you are finding these issues to be true for yourself, planning a thru-hike for the future, or supporting a loved one that has hiked and come home read on for some insights into what you may be dealing with!

Peeling feet: This one is kind of gross, but let’s face it, after months of hiking your feet have developed some thick skin…even if they are not callused. Bodies do not maintain unneeded tissue (hence why your epic quads are going to also start shrinking) so expect those layers to start shedding. Lots of moisturizer and a pumice stone or loofa are going to be your best friend.

Loss of smell: Ok, so I did not actually lose my sense of smell, and you have not either. However, you are probably going to notice that bad smells do not affect you much anymore. Stinky port-a-johns at an outdoor event? Barely noticeable. BO emanating from someone on the bus? You have smelled worse. So, if you are trying to decide if that shirt you ran in can go another day, err on the side of caution and wash it.

Problem with beds: My first thru-hike was the Appalachian Trail and I slept in the wood floored shelters every night save 2 or 3. When I got home, I could not fall asleep in my bed. I ended up getting up in the middle of the night and hauling my blankets out onto the wooden deck in the backyard where I slept like a baby. Within a week I was sleeping indoors and not on the deck like a feral stray. However, I have a repeat thru-hiking friend that has never gone back to a bed and sleeps on the floor at home!

A change in body PH: I am not sure what causes this, but despite a return to daily showering, hair free arm pits, and deodorant my sweat is extra stinky for weeks after I get home. Your whole body is readapting and rebalancing…and no doubt still excreting a higher-than-normal level of residue from cellular repair. Be patient, you are not going to stink forever…but refer back to the advice under loss of smell for the time being.

Your feet will grow: Ok, so this is certainly something you noticed on trail. In most cases it is a form of pronation and swelling brought on by long hours on your feet carrying extra weight. However, your feet may very well not go back to the size they were before your hike. In most cases, people find that their feet remain a half size larger. Although, if you are in the unfortunate situation that I was, my feet grew a half to full size with each of my first thru-hikes. Aspiring Triple Crowners consider yourself forewarned.

While this article is intended to be humorous, there are a lot of unexpected things that do happen when you return from the trail (including these!). You may also find yourself dealing with a period of post-hike depression or, as some people call it, the post-hike blues. You may also struggle to reintegrate yourself back into the life you put on hold to hike…or the new life in society that you are trying to create. Just be aware this is normal and experienced by nearly all thru-hikers. Remember that you are not alone. Reach out to your friends from the trail, chances are you can commiserate on a lot of these things!