View Full Version : Cost of the trail
mark.k.watson
10-12-2007, 15:52
$1 per mile? Perhaps several years ago, but what is a realistic amount of money to budget for a thru-hike in a year or so?
Lone Wolf
10-12-2007, 15:53
$4000 minimum
Jack Tarlin
10-12-2007, 15:58
This has been extensively discussed elsewhere here. If you Google "cost of hike" or "cost of thru hike" I'll bet you'll find all sorts of discussions.
But Wolf isn't far off the mark. Most folks seems to spend between 3500 and 5000 dollars while en route, NOT counting initial investment in gear or transport to and from the Trailheads.
Partiers and town rats will spend more, as will older folks, who tend to pamper themselves in Trail towns and tend NOT to share or split motel rooms.
There is also a lot of information here at Whiteblaze on hiking on a budget; I suggest you check out Weathercarrot's excellent piece in the "Articles" section.
Just a Hiker
10-12-2007, 16:56
Weathercarrot's article is great; I wish I still had that kind of discipline on the trail.
Jim
Blissful
10-12-2007, 17:56
$4000 minimum
Agree on that.
We also spent money on gear as well during the hike, replacing stuff, shoes, socks, insoles, etc.
sloopjonboswell
10-13-2007, 12:33
ive taken to telling folks who are interested to have twice as much money as you think you'll need. so i would say (and i just finished), that 6-8,000 would be more comfortable. if you dont want to party, 4-5 would probably get you a few hot meals and a stay at the doyle.
dessertrat
10-13-2007, 12:39
Has anyone done a rock bottom "ramen noodles and no hostels" sort of budget? I know that for some people, that would be a sure recipe for quitting early, but has anyone done it?
Just a Hiker
10-13-2007, 12:47
I have hiked pretty damn broke. It's not fun, but you learn to eat what ever is in the "Hiker Box". Thats why I call 2002.......The year of the Cous Cous!! There was so much cous cous in the hiker boxes that year! The funny thing was there was a poor hiker even broker than me.....a guy named Shrek! Anyone remember him? I think he's still working at the convienence store behind the Doyle.
Just Jim
Jack Tarlin
10-13-2007, 13:13
An eight thousand dollar thru-hike?
Ridiculous. That's over three hundred dollars a week, and when you consider at least three or four days a week on a thru are spent in places where it's impossible to purchase anything, this is really more than most folks need.
Don't get me wrong.....it'd be nice to stay alone in motel rooms instead of splitting them, and it'd be nice to order a prime rib dinner whenever you want instead of opting for something cheaper, but very few hikers are on this sort of budget.
Unlike what Mr. Boswell said above, a 4-5 thousand dollar budget will get you a great deal more than "a few hot meals and a stay at the Doyle". I've NEVER hiked on a budget over $5,000 and most of my thru-hikes cost much less.
The 6-8 thousand dollar figure, for most people, is high, and not only that, it's unnecessary.
warraghiyagey
10-13-2007, 15:18
Seems 4 grand should be plenty for anyone. 3 grand is doable. Anything under 2 thousand would require the ultimate in stealth and frugality. But there are stories of a couple folks that left with $1,000 and made it. Don't know if it's true but I'd like to believe it.
BigwaveDave
10-13-2007, 16:07
If a string of Hilton's are built along the trail, I believe $8000 is almost doable.
Appalachian Tater
10-13-2007, 19:03
Seems 4 grand should be plenty for anyone. 3 grand is doable. Anything under 2 thousand would require the ultimate in stealth and frugality. But there are stories of a couple folks that left with $1,000 and made it. Don't know if it's true but I'd like to believe it.
At the risk of encouraging somebody, I think it is theoretically possible:
$1000/25 weeks = $40/week
You could probably eat on $4/day if you emptied out the hiker boxes (including those homemade dried "mystery meals" of mixes of strange grains and unknown dried legumes) and were careful about what you bought at the grocery store. No drink mix, no special treats, generic everything.
That would leave $12 a week for a fast-food hamburger in town, a battery or other sundries, and a pair of socks once a month.
If you absolutely did not stay in any hotels or hostels that charge more than $5 suggested donation, or do any smoking, drinking, or other restaurant meals, did not have to replace any major equipment, did not mail things to & fro, and did your laundry by hand and got to and from the trail free-of-charge, it would work.
If nothing went wrong.
I don't think it is possible to do this in practice.
Jack Tarlin
10-13-2007, 19:09
Hmmm.
It's possible to sever all the tendons in your wrist with a bandsaw, too, and I don't think that'd be all that much fun, either.
The other thing is that most of the people who do hike on this limited a budget tend to become horrible mooches. Other hikers tend to know how limited their resources are, and all too often these folks consciously or subconsciously guilt-trip other hikers into helping them out, i.e. buying them food and drink, crashing for free in motel rooms, etc.
If you're gonna hike on a budget this strict, good luck, but be responsible for yourself. It's not up to other hikers to subsidize you trip because you didn't save enough money for it.
Money and/or Mastercard, don't leave home without it.
Just a Hiker
10-13-2007, 19:51
At the risk of encouraging somebody, I think it is theoretically possible:
$1000/25 weeks = $40/week
You could probably eat on $4/day if you emptied out the hiker boxes (including those homemade dried "mystery meals" of mixes of strange grains and unknown dried legumes) and were careful about what you bought at the grocery store. No drink mix, no special treats, generic everything.
That would leave $12 a week for a fast-food hamburger in town, a battery or other sundries, and a pair of socks once a month.
If you absolutely did not stay in any hotels or hostels that charge more than $5 suggested donation, or do any smoking, drinking, or other restaurant meals, did not have to replace any major equipment, did not mail things to & fro, and did your laundry by hand and got to and from the trail free-of-charge, it would work.
If nothing went wrong.
I don't think it is possible to do this in practice.
On paper it may seem to be a workable proposition; however, it's very hard, and not alot of fun at times. I've done it, but my reasons for being on the AT were more important than the fact I didn't have much money. Although my 2002 hike means alot to me........I could never do it again. As I look back, it was very frustating at times because I refused to mooch off anyone or be a burden on other hikers, or stay at a place I couldn't pay for. :)
Jim
mobileman
10-13-2007, 22:02
2007 hikers, those of you who kept track of your hike, how about starting a thread. How much did you spend on gear, clothing, food, drink, hostels, motels, medical, transportation, tips, donations, replacement items, etc. I'm sure all of us looking toward 2008 could learn something from your experience.
take-a-knee
10-13-2007, 22:35
If you are gonna hike, you gotta eat. Protein is the most expensive portion of any food budget, and the first thing most people try to cut to save a buck. All the connective tissue in your body (tendons, ligaments etc.) is protein. The muscles that carry you up and down the mountains are protein. 25% of your bones are a protein matrix of collagen. In fact, about half of the non-water weight of your body is protein. You won't find much beef jerky or many Met/Rx bars in hiker boxes. Trying to scrimp on chow may set you up for a hike-ending injury, or worse.
I did my thru- hike in 2006 for just over $2000, I actually had more money then that set aside, but that was all I spent. Granted I did not spend much time in towns and did not do much partying, but it was plenty for me to have the best 5 months of my life.
Also I knew someone that hiked the same year who claimed he started with $600, and I know he finished the trail. I honestly do not know if he got more money somewhere along the way or exactly how he did it, but I know he finished.
Now, I am definitely not suggesting someone try to do a true hike while only having $600, or even $2,000, I think a thru-hike is best when you plan for more time and money then you will need, but I would say depending on what you want to do while hiking, $3,000- $4,000 should be enough, and more accurately depending on what you want to be doing in town.
_terrapin_
10-13-2007, 23:17
If you are gonna hike, you gotta eat. Protein is the most expensive portion of any food budget.
Beans and legumes are high in protein. Meat isn't the only source, ya know...
take-a-knee
10-13-2007, 23:23
Beans and legumes do make complete protein but who wants to cook them for an hour? I read about pre-soaking them but I've never tried it. Might be iffy with an alcohol stove, maybe a Whitebox? I dunno.
I did my thru- hike in 2006 for just over $2000, I actually had more money then that set aside, but that was all I spent. Granted I did not spend much time in towns and did not do much partying, but it was plenty for me to have the best 5 months of my life.
Tank, good post. Did that include money to and from trailheads? Did you do mail drops or buy along the way? Use many hiker boxes? How many zeros did you take?
_terrapin_
10-13-2007, 23:40
Beans and legumes do make complete protein but who wants to cook them for an hour? I read about pre-soaking them but I've never tried it. Might be iffy with an alcohol stove, maybe a Whitebox? I dunno.
Well, the point being that humans can in fact live more or less indefinitely without meat. I'm not a vegetarian, but just felt the need to point that out. My parents told us of the meat ration they had during WWII -- 100 grams (4 oz.) a month.
Tank, good post. Did that include money to and from trailheads? Did you do mail drops or buy along the way? Use many hiker boxes? How many zeros did you take?
That did not include transportation, I got lucky and got found friends and family who were going near where I needed to go. I did not do mail drops, I bought food along the way, but I did have a bounce box for a few things. I actually did not use many hiker boxes, I did use a few, mostly to feed myself while I took a zero where there was a hiker box. I took as few zeroes as possible, I am not sure exactly off hand, I would guess 10 other then my stay in Pearisburg, where I was off the trail for a couple weeks due to an injury, but I ate trail food while there to conserve money.
Appalachian Tater
10-14-2007, 00:04
Well, the point being that humans can in fact live more or less indefinitely without meat. I'm not a vegetarian, but just felt the need to point that out. My parents told us of the meat ration they had during WWII -- 100 grams (4 oz.) a month.
There are hundreds of millions of lacto-vegetarians in India who have never eaten animal flesh at all.
Just a Hiker
10-14-2007, 00:17
removed post
_terrapin_
10-14-2007, 01:04
I'm going to throw out the rough figure of $4000 minimum, ie. about $150 a week for any sort of comfort. Up north, $100 for a hotel room is common. But I should recuse myself.
stranger
10-14-2007, 06:29
I've been a bit worried about money so I put my hike off a year and now I'm glad that I did. I have 6 grand already sitting in my US account for next year. Now I just get to pay off my $2,300 flight to and from the states! 20 hour flights suck!
But saying that...I do not plan on spending more than about $4,500 realistically. I've been waiting for 12 years to attempt another thru-hike, and decided long ago that money wouldn't be a issue for me when I decided to do another hike. But if you budget $1000 each for trail food, town food, accomodation and other stuff, that's only 4 grand. I would hope that I could keep to that pretty easily. In 1995 I hiked about 1/3 of the way and spent around $1000, but that involved heaps of town stops in the beginning (even went into Helen!) and was a long time ago now.
And I think it's safe to say that anyone should have atleast $500 for equipment changes and/or unexpected circumstances, it's 5-6 months and things will absolutely go wrong at some stage. If not with you with someone you care about.
I have a 500 dollar emergency fund set aside.
Kirby
I did my thru- hike in 2006 for just over $2000, I actually had more money then that set aside, but that was all I spent. Granted I did not spend much time in towns and did not do much partying, but it was plenty for me to have the best 5 months of my life.Well done.
I just finished my thru hike and it cost around 12,000. That sounds high but it depends on what you consider part of your thru hike. 12,000 includes $2,000 for top of the line health insurance and about 500.00 for my cell phone. Also includes transportation to and from the trail 100.00. Needed some gear while out there, summer sleeping bag, new rain coat, etc. 800.00. That all comes to 3,400 so that brings the number down to 8,600. I stayed in 3 huts 240.00. So Now I am at 8,260.00. I know it can be done for less but this is a once in a life time experence so why have to worry about money. I like staying in a hotel, B&B or nice hostle every 5-7 days and eating good town food. It is nice to eat, do laundry and sleep in a comfortable bed when they are available. What ever you decide to budget make sure you stick to your budget. I saw lots of people early on the trail that were running short on money and had to get off the trail.
Blissful
10-17-2007, 15:09
2007 hikers, those of you who kept track of your hike, how about starting a thread. How much did you spend on gear, clothing, food, drink, hostels, motels, medical, transportation, tips, donations, replacement items, etc. I'm sure all of us looking toward 2008 could learn something from your experience.
Don't talk about medical, yuck. We are paying off the Carlisle Medical bill for my fake heart problem (what we owe after insurance). It will take a year. If I was to add in that expense, plus gear purchases made beforehand, travel to GA and elsewhere, etc, combined with my son's total, we'd top $12,000 easily. Probably more like 14. I did like my motel nights when I could get them. I didn't keep track of expenses for every purchase made. I do have the receipts, though. But I know we must have spent close to $1000 on gear during the hike. (Again, this is two people.)
My guess is that for every hiker that successfully hiked the whole trail on a very tight budget, two more got off because they ran out of money.
warraghiyagey
10-17-2007, 15:14
My guess is that for every hiker that successfully hiked the whole trail on a very tight budget, two more got off because they ran out of money.
That was me on '06 SOBO. But it was the best thing I've ever done for myself. Hiked Maine/NH again this year, headed to Tennesse to hike to Springer in a couple days and doing a SOBO thru in '08. Third time's a charm. And oh can I not wait!!:)
Blissful
10-17-2007, 15:17
. I like staying in a hotel, B&B or nice hostle every 5-7 days and eating good town food. It is nice to eat, do laundry and sleep in a comfortable bed when they are available.
Yep.
The difference between an over forty hiker and a 20 year old. :) I felt the same way. Younger ones have better backs, feet, hips and knees. They tolerate uncomfortable conditions better, I think, judging by the sleeping pads they used (my son slep on his z rest the entire time. To be young again). And usually they have a more limited budget. If you've saved and have the means, then use it and enjoy it. If not, you can surely enjoy it too. It will be a little more rustic.
Yep.
The difference between an over forty hiker and a 20 year old. :)
LOL. I had one young SOBO last year tell me he saved money by sleeping under bridges when he was in town. Not exactly my style...:rolleyes:
That was me on '06 SOBO. But it was the best thing I've ever done for myself. Hiked Maine/NH again this year, headed to Tennesse to hike to Springer in a couple days and doing a SOBO thru in '08. Third time's a charm. And oh can I not wait!!:)
Have a good hike! The weather has been great down here lately. Too good, actually. I hope you bring some rain with you.
warraghiyagey
10-17-2007, 15:38
Have a good hike! The weather has been great down here lately. Too good, actually. I hope you bring some rain with you.
How about just a storm cloud that only the trail can absorb. It's a beautiful storm for sure, but the trail, and the southeast is apparently the palce to stir it into sunshine and rainbows. Hoping for rain for you folks tomorrow. Sounds like the situation is set up for it.
ChinMusic
10-17-2007, 15:51
I'll be one of those retired-types in a few years. I don't plan on skimping. The costs involved with thru would have been a big deal back when I was young. It's not an issue anymore.