View Full Version : Cost of the trail...
Thirsty_River
12-21-2007, 20:07
Before getting upset because there are already threads of this topic...please read:)
I knnow the average given to most newbies for a thru is $3000 - $5000. Even $2000 - $2500 is sometimes an answer. Either way, does this average cost include:
+ Airfare
+ Lodging
+ Gear
+ etc.
Thanks
--Nick--
4eyedbuzzard
12-21-2007, 20:19
Generally the estimated cost to hike includes CHEAP transport (bus and trail shuttle) prior to and after the hike; but gear, airfare, lodging prior to or after hike, is NOT included in most estimates as it can vary greatly by location and individual.
AFAIK, the discussion usually centers on costs en route from one end of the trail to the other -- food resupply, hostels, hotels, meals, drinks, occasional entertainment, fuel, repair/replacement of gear, etc.
Gearing up from scratch runs another $500-$2000. Costs of transportation to and from will obviously vary all over the map...
Glo-Worm
12-21-2007, 20:29
I think three to five is pretty accurate, not including airfare and gear. Your discipline when you get to town will probably determine which end of it you will find yourself. But be warned your friends are taking a zero tomorrow, and its going to rain, and your buddy just picked up some beer. Best of luck.
Glo-Worm
It really depends on why you are hiking -- and how convenient you want your walk to be.
If your goal is to simply enjoy a six month vacation in the woods and mountains you can do a hike pretty cheaply -- especially if you are willing to carry a few extra pounds and lose a bit of cooking convenience.
Much of the cost of a thru hike -- like life -- stems from those you try to emulate. There are a lot of friendly characters and groups on the trail. Most hikers fall in with these and as a result their costs equate with the group's costs.
If you can break loose from the mob, the trail can be fairly inexpensive. If you can't, the price goes up.
Weary
If you can break loose from the mob, the trail can be fairly inexpensive. If you can't, the price goes up.
There's that, of course. But it's hardly the whole story. Depends a lot on the comfort level you expect -- or conversely, the sacrifices you're willing to make. So yeah -- it's about choices, for sure.
Eg., -- stay in a hostel, or motel? The former is likely to be smellier, less private, but cheaper than the latter. You can walk or hitch to town, or you can pay someone to shuttle you. You can chow down at Subway, or dine at the South Mountain Inn. ;) So many choices...
double d
12-21-2007, 23:23
Remember a few things about a thru hike: you are not buying gas on a daily basis (or car insurance, repairs, ect..ect..), your not usually paying for phone/cell services, your not paying for household expenses (gas, electricity, household expenses), so your expenses for a thru hike must also include what you won't spend if you were at home going to school/work 5 days a week.
4eyedbuzzard
12-22-2007, 00:20
Remember a few things about a thru hike: you are not buying gas on a daily basis (or car insurance, repairs, ect..ect..), your not usually paying for phone/cell services, your not paying for household expenses (gas, electricity, household expenses), so your expenses for a thru hike must also include what you won't spend if you were at home going to school/work 5 days a week.
Only true if you are in a situation where you don't have the reponsibilities of a home, career, family, etc. The thru-hiking ranks are dominated by young people who often don't have those responsibilities, and the next biggest group is the 50 to 60 somethings with retirement incomes whose grown children don't require support. You just don't run into many thru-hikers in the 30 to 50 year old range for all the obvious reasons.
Agree once again with 4eyedbuzzard. For us middle-age, mid-career hikers, there's the notion of income not earned while hiking (financial geeks refer to this as "opportunity cost.")
On the plus side, time spent in the woods is time away from malls and other consumerist temptations, so there's the opportunity from savings that way.
Blissful
12-22-2007, 21:36
You just don't run into many thru-hikers in the 30 to 50 year old range for all the obvious reasons.
Aint that the truth. It was nice to be out there in the summer to see more in my age group.
Do agree with Glo worm in regards to cost.