Post-trail depression is difficulty adjusting back to “regular” life following a major adventure. Common experiences include feelings of sadness, anxiety, restlessness, loss of purpose, lack of interest in activities typically enjoyed, low energy, feeling easily overwhelmed by everyday decisions, and generally feeling out of place. Post-trail depression is commonly experienced by long-distance backpackers, though anyone transitioning from a major mountain adventure back to their everyday life can experience this phenomenon. Why Does It Happen? Put simply, transitioning off trail is psychological whiplash. Long-distance hiking or any mountain adventure is a wholly immersive experience. The stressors of everyday life fade away. While a mountain adventure can involve complex decisions around risk mitigation, the bulk of daily decisions will center around a few basics: how far to walk, what to eat from your pack, when to refill water, etc. This is a stark contrast to everyday life, where we are constantly bombarded by information, stimuli, and decisions. In addition to the adventure itself, you may have also spent weeks or months preparing for the physical, mental, and …