Moved from Straight Forward: 18 year old

[vonroretz]

Alright im 18 and im about to graduate high school in a few weeks. im extreemly dertermined to do this. im a very physically and mentally fit to do this. i run xc and track and lift daily. ec ect you get the point. thing is how much will this all cost i see its about 2,200 miles i just want to know how much people spend on gear food ect

[vonroretz]

also i forgot to add i would like to run the whole thing to finish coon than the 6 month peroid

[Lone Wolf]

5000 dollars

[vonroretz]

is that how much you spent?

[medicjimr]

From what I have read in other posts around $1500 to $2500 all depends if you are one that likes to hang out a hotels and towns along the way. If you are just going to stop long enouge to resupply they say the lower end can work. You should get more feedback as the thread goes along. I havent hiked the AT and cannot see myself hiking it anytime soon do to family and work .

[vonroretz]

well the reason i want to do it now is because im joining the military soon so i know once im in the navy i will have no chance of doing it and i would regret not doing it but id rather stay out of hotels as much as possible i would rater sleep in the rain

[Tennessee Viking]

It really varies person to person. Some people will spend a couple thousands while others spend a bit more. It depends on your gear, look at the foods you want to pack, maildrops, resupplies, hostel/hotels stays, shuttles & travel...and so on.

My only other advice is to plan to bulk up. There are many people who say they are physically fit to do the trail. But after the first couple weeks, you will be start to drop a lot of weight as your body gets used to the daily mileage and trail diet.

[emerald]

There are many people who say they are physically fit to do the trail. But after the first couple weeks, you will start to drop a lot of weight as your body gets used to the daily mileage and trail diet.

Since the thread starter runs XC, he no doubt long ago shed the weight to which you refer.

Not everyone loses weight. I gained 5 lbs by the time I reached Pearisburg and my weight remained pretty much constant thereafter.

[vonroretz]

well id my goal is not to spend over 1500$

[Chenango]

well id my goal is not to spend over 1500$

It will be very difficult to do this at $1,500.

[Lone Wolf]

well id my goal is not to spend over 1500$

for gear, food and other expenses? you ain't gonna make it far

[JAK]

well id my goal is not to spend over 1500$

Nothing wrong with seeing how far you can get on $1500. Very worthy goal. 1000 miles would be good. 2000 would be better but 1000 would be good. Even 500 miles on $1500 wouldn't be a wasted effort. 1 mile would be farther than I have gotten on the AT.

Start living now though, the way you will live on your trip.
You will save money and develop the discipline and have fun doing it.

[JAK]

Start living now though, the way you will live on your trip.
You will save money and develop the discipline and have fun doing it.

Anyone have a problem with this advice, other than its source?

[flemdawg1]

Anyone have a problem with this advice, other than its source?

Well its about $115/week ($1500/13 weeks). If the young guy could unplug his cable and live on $115 for food, laundry and entertainment, good.

The trail running the whole thing in 3 months is the part I see a problem with. He's talking about running nearly a marathon (23 miles) per day over mountainous terrain for practically 13 weeks straight. If he was Dean Karnazes, he'd have a shot, otherwise...

[JAK]

Well its about $115/week ($1500/13 weeks). If the young guy could unplug his cable and live on $115 for food, laundry and entertainment, good.

good. thanks.

The trail running the whole thing in 3 months is the part I see a problem with. He's talking about running nearly a marathon (23 miles) per day over mountainous terrain for practically 13 weeks straight. If he was Dean Karnazes, he'd have a shot, otherwise...

Yeah. That would be tough. He would have to be one tough hombre.

At least his heart and mind are in the right place though. Better than some college aged kid planning on spending $6000 and 6 months on beer and pizza and hotels, which alot of people don't seem to have a problem with. That might be ok for some old fat up like me, but its inspiring to see a young kid with some healthy ideals and aspirations.

[CrumbSnatcher]

Well its about $115/week ($1500/13 weeks). If the young guy could unplug his cable and live on $115 for food, laundry and entertainment, good.

The trail running the whole thing in 3 months is the part I see a problem with. He's talking about running nearly a marathon (23 miles) per day over mountainous terrain for practically 13 weeks straight. If he was Dean Karnazes, he'd have a shot, otherwise...

if it can be hiked in 3 months, it can be ran in 3 months?

[nufsaid]

Start living now though, the way you will live on your trip.
You will save money and develop the discipline and have fun doing it.

My guess that he lives with his parents and is not paying for food currently. Better he eats well while he can.

[CrumbSnatcher]

well id my goal is not to spend over 1500$

how fast are you trying to do the trail? any support along the way or maildrops?

[Maddog]

you'll be lucky to get all your gear for $1500! have fun sleeping in the rain!

[SlowLightTrek]

There are so many shelters (at least every 10 miles or so) that you could just stay in the shelters and skip the tent. Be a good idea to take a lightweight tarp just in case. If you are trail running your eta is problaby 3 months or less. If you raid the hiker boxes for food that might help for food expenses. I wouldn't plan on it though. I think you could get by on about $2,000.