It's 2014, would you attemp a thru hike with $4,000

[Brian321]

Ok so I have all of my starting gear. Plane ticket and shuttle I have the money for. I'll have about $4k when I get on the trail. Is that enough to complete it? Would you attemp to do it with only $4000?

[Dogwood]

From a money perspective, based on all that you stated, that should be enough to do a comfortable AT thru-hike for most.

[Sierra2015]

That's probably going to be how much I'll budget for my thru-hike. With 3000 set aside for emergency and rehabilitation into society.

Do you have money or a plan for life after the trail? Like parents?

[4eyedbuzzard]

4K ought to be good with other expenses already paid.

[ChinMusic]

4K is comfortable. Try to live below your means in the beginning so you have a cushion for surprises.

[aficion]

Yes that is a gracious plenty.

[Slo-go'en]

Maybe, I'd be careful how it's spent. It's easy to blow threw money without realising how quick it's going. Be sure to check your balance once in a while to see how much is left.

[likeahike]

Sierra makes a good point. Look beyond your hike.

[takethisbread]

Animal did his hike on $1400 that included cost of his gear and flights to and from trail. he also stayed in a couple of hotels and some hostels and are at restaraunts as well. he was judicious, took his time(8 months) and had a blast. he will be back agAin from what I hear. so yes you can do it. easy.


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[Hoofit]

Plenty ....all you need now is the determination to see it through.....

[Sierra2015]

... Would 3000 work?

[Different Socks]

Simple answer:Yes.

[Razor]

It all depends on how much you can stay in the woods ,smell yourself ,and your ability to budget ..Most cannot make it on 4000 . Many can ------

[aficion]

... Would 3000 work?

Only if you yogi some drinks and dinners.

[magic_game03]

I spent about $10K on a JMT hike for my cousin and I in '12 (first-class R/T Tickets cost a lot.) That being said, I did three thru's of the AT and I only dreamed of having a cash cow of $4k to hike with. I did have to dig through a lot of hiker boxes and buy on-sale items at the big grocery stores, but I always had money for beer. I estimated that every town stop cost me $100 for food, mail, hostel, and minor resupply (like bug juice and sunscreen) and I'd stop in town every 80-100 miles. Then add another $500 for gear replacement like shoes and water filter and you're still just under $3K.

*note: I never hiked in the bubble. The bubble experience, from what I hear, is treacherous on the budget.

[DocMahns]

I spent about $10K on a JMT hike for my cousin and I in '12 (first-class R/T Tickets cost a lot.) That being said, I did three thru's of the AT and I only dreamed of having a cash cow of $4k to hike with. I did have to dig through a lot of hiker boxes and buy on-sale items at the big grocery stores, but I always had money for beer. I estimated that every town stop cost me $100 for food, mail, hostel, and minor resupply (like bug juice and sunscreen) and I'd stop in town every 80-100 miles. Then add another $500 for gear replacement like shoes and water filter and you're still just under $3K.

*note: I never hiked in the bubble. The bubble experience, from what I hear, is treacherous on the budget.

I'll be doing a SOBO, I'm hoping to hit all the hiker boxes on my way down after all the NOBO's lighten their load.

[Sierra2015]

Only if you yogi some drinks and dinners.

Aww, you know you like me!

[likeahike]

this is getting tedious, smiley notwithstanding.

[magic_game03]

I'll be doing a SOBO, I'm hoping to hit all the hiker boxes on my way down after all the NOBO's lighten their load.

*Another note: If you're going sobo or nobo you're gonna want to hit the Whites before the thru-hiker crowds so you can do 'work-for-stays' at the huts. Else, it's like $85 a night to stay in the huts and they only take TWO 'work-for-stays' a night. I know some hikers will stop early in their days to try to get the work-for-stays but I think there was a cut-off time that they wouldn't let anyone do the work-for-stay's before 4pm, so it's tricky. If you stop too early they'd make you move on.

*Q: They still do work-for-stays at the huts, don't they?

[Lone Wolf]

Ok so I have all of my starting gear. Plane ticket and shuttle I have the money for. I'll have about $4k when I get on the trail. Is that enough to complete it? Would you attemp to do it with only $4000?

yes. go for it