The expedition launched May 1, 2026, at Lake Itasca, Minnesota, spanning ten states before reaching the Gulf of Mexico. To maintain this pace, Smirnov spent up to 15 hours daily on the water, surviving on only four to five hours of sleep. The route presented constant hazards, including heavy commercial shipping traffic, complex lock-and-dam systems, and the relentless physical toll of primitive camping for 37 consecutive nights.

Smirnov, who operates Cape Fear River Adventures, spent a year in intensive physical and mental training to prepare for the ordeal. His regimen focused on sustaining a 5,000-calorie daily intake and building the resilience required to navigate the river's unpredictable currents and weather. While the descent was performed solo, he credited a support team led by Anna Morgan for logistical coordination. The athlete views the journey as a definitive test of mental depth, emphasizing the necessity of absolute focus when facing the isolation of such a grueling endurance route.