$$ how much to Thru-hike the AT $$

[SoBo FlintFlick]

I am looking for an estimate on how much it will cost to thru-hike AT sobo, I have seen 3000$ total, and elsewhere had posted 1000$ per month, can someone help me out with these numbers. I already have the GEAR, I am just looking cost for the thru-hike

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

[garlic08]

The $1000 per month has worked for me, but then the huge variable is how fast do you hike.

For a first-time hiker on a budget, $5000 with a $1000 contingency fund is probably a good estimate.

I know some guys my age with credit cards who quite easily spent over $10,000, and some younger guys have done it for well under $2000, so there's your range.

[SoBo FlintFlick]

The $1000 per month has worked for me, but then the huge variable is how fast do you hike.

For a first-time hiker on a budget, $5000 with a $1000 contingency fund is probably a good estimate.

I know some guys my age with credit cards who quite easily spent over $10,000, and some younger guys have done it for well under $2000, so there's your range.

Thanks, I am a first time thru-hiker with no credit cards unfortunately. I am leaving at the beginning of July and am saving every dime I make until then, living the broke life until then will put me right at $6000. I worry about not being able to make it financially, it's so nerve racking lol

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

[Venchka]

Don't overlook $$$$ for transportation to and from the trail.
Wayne


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SoBo FlintFlick]

Don't overlook $$$$ for transportation to and from the trail.
Wayne


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

?? Are you referring to getting to Baxter state park??

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

[Venchka]

?? Are you referring to getting to Baxter state park??

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

No. I said adequate funds to transport yourself to the trail to begin hiking and additional funds to get yourself back home when you finish. Wherever that may be.
As for "I have all of my gear", you will need funds to replace worn out or wrong gear.
Wayne


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[lonehiker]

About 1,000 a month is a good figure. If you have 6k you should be ok. Keep drinking to a minimum or the 6k won't be enough.

[show me the monkey]

Another contingency and certainly the biggest in my mind will be how much time you spend in towns. Depending on your cost to get to/from the beginning and end of the trail, that is the biggest expenditure. Are you the type that resupplies via mail drop and heads straight back to the trail or the other side of the spectrum that resupplies in town grocery stores and spends 3 days in motels eating/drinking as much as possible
Most people fall somewhere in between, but it can be hard to predict if you fall into traveling with a group.

[SoBo FlintFlick]

Another contingency and certainly the biggest in my mind will be how much time you spend in towns. Depending on your cost to get to/from the beginning and end of the trail, that is the biggest expenditure. Are you the type that resupplies via mail drop and heads straight back to the trail or the other side of the spectrum that resupplies in town grocery stores and spends 3 days in motels eating/drinking as much as possible
Most people fall somewhere in between, but it can be hard to predict if you fall into traveling with a group.

I'm planning to be the type to stay on the trail as much as possible, maybe a stay or 2 at a little cheap spot in town if need be. Would mailing drops be cheaper than in town supplies?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

[MuddyWaters]

I'm planning to be the type to stay on the trail as much as possible, maybe a stay or 2 at a little cheap spot in town if need be. Would mailing drops be cheaper than in town supplies?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

Staying on the trail requires you be antisocial.

Once you make friends, and hike with them, you will do what they do, or else youll never see them again....

[SoBo FlintFlick]

Staying on the trail requires you be antisocial.

Once you make friends, and hike with them, you will do what they do, or else youll never see them again....

Lol, I was already thinking that , it will be tough but in order to make it all the way through, I guess I would have to pry Myself Away with the thought in mind that I won't financially be able to make it if I stop

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

[show me the monkey]

Lol, I was already thinking that , it will be tough but in order to make it all the way through, I guess I would have to pry Myself Away with the thought in mind that I won't financially be able to make it if I stop

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

That's true most of the time, but don't discount the fact that you will be out for a long period of time and chances are that you will run into someone in a similar situation. These types of meetings tend to happen early on trail before people spread out somewhat, but since your going sobo, there will be less people to begin with.
With that aside, you mentioned that you're budgeting $6k, which should be more than enough for town stays, so the point of staying on the trail may be moot in that case.

[show me the monkey]

I'm planning to be the type to stay on the trail as much as possible, maybe a stay or 2 at a little cheap spot in town if need be. Would mailing drops be cheaper than in town supplies?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

Usually. However if this is your first long distance hike, be aware that your appetite will change and unless your mail drops provide an ever changing array of food, you will get tired of eating the same thing. Most frugal hikers do mail drops and supplement with locally purchased food.

[rafe]

Would mailing drops be cheaper than in town supplies?

Maybe. If you're really smart about it. But most likely not much.

Two big issues with maildrops. First is, your tastes will change over the course of the hike and you may not like eating the stuff that you thought you'd like when you first packed it all up, months ahead of time.

Second is, they tie you down. Small town post offices are likely to have limited hours. Sucks to be stuck in town over a weekend waiting for the PO to open on Monday morning. Or having to race into town to get there before the PO closes.

I don't know about other long trails, but on the AT, over the years, the trend has been toward fewer mail drops and more reliance on resupply at local stores. You rarely have to go more than four or five days between relatively easy town access.

Mail drops make sense for specific dietary needs or tastes. Save mail drops for what you know you can't find in town.

[Bansko]

If you're watching your dollars you can do it for about $1000 a month and be quite comfortable. I spent more, but that was choice, not necessity.

[SoBo FlintFlick]

Do u think a 4000 calorie a day diet will suffice?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

[HooKooDooKu]

Do u think a 4000 calorie a day diet will suffice?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

No right answer. Too many variables... your body weight, fitness level, miles hiked per day, and difficulty in the terrain just to name a few.

When I did the much shorter JMT thru hike last year (~220 miles, so only 1/10th the distance of the AT), I first got in shape by losing 50lbs. Then planned for 3,000 calories/day. I hiked an average of 13 miles per day, and lost about 7lbs over the course of about 3 weeks.

[SoBo FlintFlick]

No right answer. Too many variables... your body weight, fitness level, miles hiked per day, and difficulty in the terrain just to name a few.

When I did the much shorter JMT thru hike last year (~220 miles, so only 1/10th the distance of the AT), I first got in shape by losing 50lbs. Then planned for 3,000 calories/day. I hiked an average of 13 miles per day, and lost about 7lbs over the course of about 3 weeks.

I have a watch that can tell how many calories I have burned that day, I guess it would be safe to say to replenish that number right?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

[4eyedbuzzard]

Do u think a 4000 calorie a day diet will suffice?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

Probably more like 6000, and you'll still lose weight. That's why hikers gorge themself when in town.

[Greenlight]

Assuming four days in between resupplies, is it even possible to fit 24,000 calories into a pack and still have room for gear? I figured that I'd eat about 3,000 calories per day on the trail, then binge in towns to make up the deficit. What is the most common experience? I'll be 53 when I attempt my thru, weigh about 190 at 6 feet tall, and slow-hike at least 15 miles per day.

Probably more like 6000, and you'll still lose weight. That's why hikers gorge themselves when in town.