Originally Posted by FBinNY

I didn't mean to alarm you. I just wanted you to understand the realities.

Fatigue failures take time, so while the gouge may have a significant effect on the LONG TERM life of the frame, the odds still favor you completing your trip and riding for a long while afterward.

A factor to consider is the terrain, since standing (or even not standing) with high pedal pressure to climb is the kind of thing that would be hardest on the area. Another is your weight and strength. Lastly there's your riding style, with spinning lower gears being easier on the joint than mashing big gears.