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  1. #1
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    Default How much does a thru hike cost?

    Hello and much respect to any and all who have sucessfully completed a thru hike! I have this ever growing itch to plan a thru hike, but I need two major peices of info. How much does an average thru hike cost and how long do I need to train before hand. I did more than one forum search before making this post, so if there is an old thread about this...sorry, I did not find it. I don't want major specifics, just a general number from the "experienced ones"!

  2. #2
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    $4000 after gear purchase. no "training" needed. just don't start out as a fat ass and you should be fine.

  3. #3
    AT 4000+, LT, FHT, ALT Blissful's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lone Wolf View Post
    just don't start out as a fat ass and you should be fine.

    Hey we did! We lost 80 lbs total. No better weight loss program where you can eat what you want and lose weight.

    Anyway chefjason, my son did the trail and was a total couch potato going into it. It's all mental.







    Hiking Blog
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  4. #4
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    I already have a "vacation" account going. I think I will just use that and plan for a 2011 NOBO thru. That should give me enough time to make all the plans/purchases/arrangements. So I guess I should join the 2011 thread eh?

  5. #5

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    Not counting getting to and from the start/finish locations of the Trail, and not counting initial gear purchases, if you're wondering about en route expenses, I would say that most folks spend between $3500 and $5000 for a thru-hike.

    Some spend less. Some spend more. Questions to ask yourself: How much time do you expext to spend in town? And when there, are you going to pamper yourself? I.e., will Wendy's work for you, or do you want a full steak dinner in every town? Will you get your own motel room or do you plan to share with other hikers? Do you drink? If so, do you drink a lot? Are you a cigarette smoker? Are you a pot smoker?

    And so on.

    There are all sorts of factors that will affect your budget. The number one, of course, is how much time you end up spending in towns or in trailside facilities, as opposed to the time spent actually in the woods and mountains, where daily expenses are minimal or non-existent. The number two factor is your gear, as ill-prepared hikers that end up replacing a lot of their original equipment can add hundreds and hundreds of dollars to their budget.

    But all things being equal, assuming you're not some town rat, and assuming you discipline yourself with off-trail time and expenses, I think Lone Wolf's figure of $4000.00 is about right for most folks. It can certainly be done for less, and plenty of folks spend more, but that's up to them.

  6. #6
    Registered User kayak karl's Avatar
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    Default $$$

    Quote Originally Posted by chefjason View Post
    Hello and much respect to any and all who have sucessfully completed a thru hike! I have this ever growing itch to plan a thru hike, but I need two major peices of info. How much does an average thru hike cost and how long do I need to train before hand. I did more than one forum search before making this post, so if there is an old thread about this...sorry, I did not find it. I don't want major specifics, just a general number from the "experienced ones"!
    http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...highlight=cost
    http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...highlight=cost
    http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...highlight=cost

    a few others have also asked? LW is right. i put away $5000.
    I'm so confused, I'm not sure if I lost my horse or found a rope.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lone Wolf View Post
    $4000 after gear purchase. no "training" needed. just don't start out as a fat ass and you should be fine.
    That just ticks me off! I searched and got squat! Anyway, thanks for the numbers. I already have half of the gear i will need. The big $ # is food. And I am not a fat ass, at least by MY definition, but I thought I might need to build my legs and lungs a bit. But then again, I am not running a marathon.

  8. #8
    Registered User Monkeywrench's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by chefjason View Post
    And I am not a fat ass, at least by MY definition, but I thought I might need to build my legs and lungs a bit. But then again, I am not running a marathon.
    No. A marathon only takes a few hours. A thru-hike takes months. It's certainly better to be in hiking shape than not. As to money, I think I'll probably spend around $8000 before my hike is over. That's probably at the high end, and I certainly indulge myself with steak dinners and motel rooms pretty much whenever I want them. But don't underestimate the cost. You'll likely find yourself craving creature comforts more than you anticipate.
    ~~
    Allen "Monkeywrench" Freeman
    NOBO 3-18-09 - 9-27-09
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  9. #9
    Melt-N-Metal GeneralLee10's Avatar
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    I have to say it takes self discipline and motivation, you have to want it enough in order to get it. 2010!

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jack Tarlin View Post
    Not counting getting to and from the start/finish locations of the Trail, and not counting initial gear purchases, if you're wondering about en route expenses, I would say that most folks spend between $3500 and $5000 for a thru-hike.

    Some spend less. Some spend more. Questions to ask yourself: How much time do you expext to spend in town? And when there, are you going to pamper yourself? I.e., will Wendy's work for you, or do you want a full steak dinner in every town? Will you get your own motel room or do you plan to share with other hikers? Do you drink? If so, do you drink a lot? Are you a cigarette smoker? Are you a pot smoker?

    And so on.

    There are all sorts of factors that will affect your budget. The number one, of course, is how much time you end up spending in towns or in trailside facilities, as opposed to the time spent actually in the woods and mountains, where daily expenses are minimal or non-existent. The number two factor is your gear, as ill-prepared hikers that end up replacing a lot of their original equipment can add hundreds and hundreds of dollars to their budget.

    But all things being equal, assuming you're not some town rat, and assuming you discipline yourself with off-trail time and expenses, I think Lone Wolf's figure of $4000.00 is about right for most folks. It can certainly be done for less, and plenty of folks spend more, but that's up to them.
    Quote Originally Posted by Monkeywrench View Post
    No. A marathon only takes a few hours. A thru-hike takes months. It's certainly better to be in hiking shape than not. As to money, I think I'll probably spend around $8000 before my hike is over. That's probably at the high end, and I certainly indulge myself with steak dinners and motel rooms pretty much whenever I want them. But don't underestimate the cost. You'll likely find yourself craving creature comforts more than you anticipate.
    Quote Originally Posted by lndwlkr View Post
    I have to say it takes self discipline and motivation, you have to want it enough in order to get it. 2010!
    Well the screen name is not just for show. I am a classically trained chef with many years of experience. Any of you who have ever worked in a REAL restaurant will know that chefs don't usually eat well. We taste all the food to make sure it is prepared properly, but then we eat a p.b.&j. for ourselves. So, I doubt I will be heading into town for steak dinners ever night. I can sleep any where, and I am not too proud to share a room. I do not drink, except for a really nice glass of wine to accompany my four "white table cloth meal's" each year. So alcohol will be a non-factor. Don't smoke, any thing. Kills the taste buds. I imagine that the only thing I would blow money on would be chiropractic adjustments/massages. If there are any places along the way to get those services.

    I want it enough, I am just concerned about leaving behind the day-to-day life responsibilities for a full five months!

  11. #11
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    Default Watch the south...

    I agree with the view that the major costs for many hikers are beer and meals in restaurants, and also replacement gear. However in the beginning I've seen hikers blow hundreds before the Smokies more than once.

    It's important to be disciplined in the south, where you have opportunities to spend money amost every other day in places. For example, between Springer and Hot Springs, a distance of 270 miles, there are 8 places to spend money:
    - Neels Gap
    - Hiawassee
    - Franklin
    - NOC
    - Fontana Dam
    - Gatlinburg
    - Standing Bear Farm
    - Hot Springs

    That works out to one (town, hostel, meals, outfitter, bar, etc) every 34 miles, so it's easy to blow some decent coin if you don't watch it.

    But saying that, if you are experienced and start in decent shape, you can send a food drop to Neels and blow by Hiawassee without spending a single dollar in Georgia, although a couple hot dogs and a coke at Mountain Crossings might prove worth it : ), and Franklin is a cheap town to go into for your first overnight.

  12. #12

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    I spent $4950 for on trail expenses including travel to the trail from Indiana for my Year 2000 northbound AT thru-hike. I had a fabulous time and wouldn't have missed it for the world.

    Datto

  13. #13

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    too much for me! lol jk

  14. #14

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    when ever i need money for gear, i just sell stuff i own, good because i like to live a simple life

  15. #15
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    I blew close to $1,000 by Damascus although that included some gear purchases. Next year I hope to continue north out of Damascus with about 4K.

  16. #16
    Moo-terrific CowHead's Avatar
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    everything and time
    Would you be offended if I told you to
    TAKE A HIKE!
    CowHead


    "If at first you don't succeed......Skydiving is not for you" Zen Isms

    I once was lost, then I hike the trail

  17. #17
    Registered User Egads's Avatar
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    How much does a car cost?

    It all depends on what you want & how much you have to spend.

    Same thing for the hike
    The trail was here before we arrived, and it will still be here when we are gone...enjoy it now, and preserve it for others that come after us

  18. #18

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    I saved a lot of money compared to last year (I hiked the PCT in two halves) by not staying in hotels. I camped in the forest nearby or even in vacant lots hidden by trees or boulders instead. I'd much rather spend my money on good food. Remember, a small amount of the food expense doesn't really count because you have to eat anyway.

    Best thing to do is to arrive to town around dinner time. Eat a nice dinner, go camp in the forest, return for breakfast and then hit the trail fat and sassy and raring to go. It's almost as good as a zero day.
    Some knew me as Piper, others as just Diane.
    I hiked the PCT: Mexico to Mt. Shasta, 2008. Santa Barbara to Canada, 2009.

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