Thru-hiking conjures imagery of a retreat to Mother Nature, to return feeling fresh and invigorated. For trail neophytes, it’s romanticized with visions of rosy cheeked hikers bounding across grassy knolls and the scent of wild lavender wafting around lean, muscled figures.
However, the reality is a little rougher than the Instagram pictures paint it.
Sure, you’ll be in the wild, but the wildlife you’ll predominately rub shoulders with will be insects. To keep your pack light, one can ditch the inner bug tent. This allows all sorts of creepy crawlies direct access to you. It’s akin to lying in a coffin with caterpillars crawling on your cheeks, beetles trundling over your bedding or earwigs lurking close to one’s lobes.
It’s clear that the phrase “ants in your pants” originated from a real backpacker.
Get used to a relentless reek. Even clothing with the wispiness of gossamer can hold a remarkable amount of stench. In case of chance encounters with civilians on the trail, it’s best to clamp arms firmly down.
Here are some other harsh home truths about long-distance hiking…
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I am Jeff Clark, founder of Internet Brothers, producer of this blog, and passionate about hiking. I live in Western NC near the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains. Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests are just out my door, so the content will focus on these areas, but let me know what you would like to see on the site. 
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