View Full Version : How much does a thru hike cost?
chefjason
07-30-2009, 14:47
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"!:D
Lone Wolf
07-30-2009, 14:50
$4000 after gear purchase. no "training" needed. just don't start out as a fat ass and you should be fine.
kayak karl
07-30-2009, 14:56
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"!:D
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=40478&highlight=cost
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=51529&highlight=cost
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=49082&highlight=cost
a few others have also asked? LW is right. i put away $5000.
chefjason
07-30-2009, 15:08
$4000 after gear purchase. no "training" needed. just don't start out as a fat ass and you should be fine.
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=40478&highlight=cost
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=51529&highlight=cost
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=49082&highlight=cost
a few others have also asked? LW is right. i put away $5000.
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.
Blissful
07-30-2009, 15:09
just don't start out as a fat ass and you should be fine.
Hey we did! :D 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.
chefjason
07-30-2009, 15:22
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?
Jack Tarlin
07-30-2009, 16:44
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.
Monkeywrench
07-30-2009, 19:59
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.
GeneralLee10
07-30-2009, 20:32
I have to say it takes self discipline and motivation, you have to want it enough in order to get it. 2010! :D
chefjason
07-31-2009, 12:07
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.
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.
I have to say it takes self discipline and motivation, you have to want it enough in order to get it. 2010! :D
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!
Jack Tarlin
07-31-2009, 12:13
In that case, Jason, you should be able to bring in your hike for hundreds of dollars less than most folks. For an awful lot of people, tho, two of the biggect expenses on their trip are restaurant meals and beer.
(And if you're looking for decent white wine out there, lotsa luck!!)
But seriously, if you eat on the cheap and stay out of Trail bars, you can, in all likelihood, bring in your trip on a lot less than 4 or 5 thousand.
chefjason
07-31-2009, 12:19
In that case, Jason, you should be able to bring in your hike for hundreds of dollars less than most folks. For an awful lot of people, tho, two of the biggect expenses on their trip are restaurant meals and beer.
(And if you're looking for decent white wine out there, lotsa luck!!)
But seriously, if you eat on the cheap and stay out of Trail bars, you can, in all likelihood, bring in your trip on a lot less than 4 or 5 thousand.
That's good news! I have not drank a beer in since culinary school (bev i.d. class). And I would wait until Katadhin to have that glass of Sangiovese. What about those chiroprators and massage therapist? Are there any along the AT?
Lone Wolf
07-31-2009, 12:29
got a couple of masooses here in damascus
Jack Tarlin
07-31-2009, 12:30
I should think every Trail town has people that can help you, even little places like Hot Springs. When you get to a Trail town, ask at the hostel or outfitter, as I bet they've been asked this question before.
chefjason
07-31-2009, 12:49
I should think every Trail town has people that can help you, even little places like Hot Springs. When you get to a Trail town, ask at the hostel or outfitter, as I bet they've been asked this question before.
Good. I am starting to get excitied about this.
Blissful
07-31-2009, 13:47
got a couple of masooses here in damascus
At first I thought this said moose...
We got moose in VA?
:D
Blissful
07-31-2009, 13:47
Good. I am starting to get excitied about this.
It gets even more exciting as the date draws near.
GeneralLee10
07-31-2009, 17:39
It would be nice to see someones total cost for the whole Hike. If one was willing to do such a thing and keep a record of it. Just the Hike alone from your very 1st step to the last step, not the cost 2 and fro or the cost of gear. I tell myself now not then now to stay out of town other than to resupply and pick up needed maps. I will see how that goes when the time comes. The original idea is to keep the cost low as possible so I can apply the leftover funds to the next walk. Hoping nothing happens before or during this one.
stranger
08-05-2009, 22:58
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.
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
when ever i need money for gear, i just sell stuff i own, good because i like to live a simple life
garlic08
09-09-2009, 23:37
It would be nice to see someones total cost for the whole Hike. If one was willing to do such a thing and keep a record of it. Just the Hike alone from your very 1st step to the last step, not the cost 2 and fro or the cost of gear. I tell myself now not then now to stay out of town other than to resupply and pick up needed maps. I will see how that goes when the time comes. The original idea is to keep the cost low as possible so I can apply the leftover funds to the next walk. Hoping nothing happens before or during this one.
I itemized my credit card charges after the hike and kept loose track of my cash expenses, and this is what I got, not counting gearing up and travel:
Town food: $700 (eating very well)
Trail food: $750
Lodging: $850 (double occupancy)
Misc: $50
Total for the whole thing, including travel and gearing up, was $3,500. My hike was pretty cheap because I did it pretty fast, in just over 100 days. But I spent a lot more than needed in lodging and town food. I believe a good planning figure is $4000 as mentioned above, with a $1000 contingency fund if possible.
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.
David@whiteblaze
09-11-2009, 14:19
It would be nice to see someones total cost for the whole Hike. If one was willing to do such a thing and keep a record of it. Just the Hike alone from your very 1st step to the last step, not the cost 2 and fro or the cost of gear. I tell myself now not then now to stay out of town other than to resupply and pick up needed maps. I will see how that goes when the time comes. The original idea is to keep the cost low as possible so I can apply the leftover funds to the next walk. Hoping nothing happens before or during this one.
If u can w8 4 years, ill try, but u rn't being very specific, do u want: I bought a sandwich at wendys for $10.00 2day, or do u want: 300 blown at restaraunts, 2000 in mail dropped food... etc.?
How much does a car cost?
It all depends on what you want & how much you have to spend.
Same thing for the hike
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.