New Memoir Chronicles Son’s 2,200-Mile Appalachian Trail Hike to Honor Father with Cancer

A father-son story of love, perseverance, and finding the strength to keep moving forward when the path ahead is uncertain.

MARYVILLE, TN, UNITED STATES, November 10, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Ballast Books is proud to announce the publication of The Trail Provides, a new memoir by Troy Galyon, publishing on November 10, 2026.

When Galyon’s father was diagnosed with cancer, Troy set out to honor him in an extraordinary way: hiking the approximately 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail while raising money for cancer research. He gave himself just 100 days to make the journey from Georgia to Maine so he could return home to help care for his dad.

Beginning at Amicalola Falls in Georgia and heading north toward Mount Katahdin in Maine, Galyon endured relentless miles, pouring rain, days without showers, and the mental and physical demands of a thru-hike. Along the way, he encountered colorful hikers, unexpected acts of “trail magic,” and a community that helped him keep moving forward.

Through it all, his father remained his motivation.

Galyon knew he could not change his dad’s diagnosis, but the trail gave them something else: defining memories and a way to navigate an uncertain future together.

“For both of us, the trail provided,” Galyon writes.

More than an Appalachian Trail adventure, The Trail Provides is an intimate father-son story about confronting circumstances beyond our control and choosing how we respond. At the heart of Galyon’s journey is a lesson that carried him across thousands of miles: If you have a why, you can overcome any how.

Blending outdoor adventure with a moving story of love, grief, and perseverance, The Trail Provides speaks to hikers, families impacted by cancer, and anyone searching for the strength to keep moving forward when the path ahead is uncertain.

About the Author:
Troy Galyon is a realtor who works with his mom, Maelea, as part of the Appalachian team at LeConte Realty in East Tennessee. He dedicates his time to serving members of his community through work with local nonprofits and loves helping others connect with nature. Passionate about the outdoors, Troy, his wife, and their three children spend much of their free time hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They reside in Maryville, Tennessee.

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About Ballast Books:
Ballast Books is an independent publisher specializing in compelling nonfiction, memoirs, investigative works, and impactful stories that challenge prevailing narratives. Based in West Palm Beach, Florida, Ballast is committed to elevating voices with something to say—and the courage to say it.

Sarah De Vos
Ballast Books
sarah@ballastbooks.com
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