Spending "monies" on the thru-hike...

**Baum Trigger** · 02-19-2007, 17:27

I was curious how much money is spent while actually hiking the trail. Im not concerned with transportation to and from the beginning/end or gear bought prior to departure. I know they say 3k to 6k is standard, but I'm looking for personal numbers just for the hell of it, so If you are willing to share, I'd like to hear how much YOU spent (approximately) while making the trek. Thanks to all for your posts! Good luck to all of you '07!

**eventidecu** · 02-19-2007, 17:42

Great topic, I'd be interested in hearing about this as well. Was wondering myself as I almost pulled the trigger on an inpromtu long walk myself without knowing this, until a new job got in the way.

**superman** · 02-20-2007, 09:26

Normal...no, not normal. Before I hiked the AT I was on Wingfoot's site and they were talking about different ways to stay in control of your money at home while hiking. They warned to be careful who you leave with access to your money. I didn't understand what they meant until after I finished my thru hike. I had given my ex-girl friend access to my money to pay my bills while I was away. I thought I could trust her. She stole $15,000. That doesn't include the things that were missing from my house. I had started the AT with my son and paid his expenses. He hiked to Gatlinburg. I spent about $7,000 on the actual hike. It didn't bother me to stay in a motel or sample the restaurants along the way. $22,000 is not normal for an AT hike. Incidentally...I now pay my bills via the internet so I can handle it myself at town stops when I hike.

**4eyedbuzzard** · 02-20-2007, 09:41

Originally Posted by superman

I had given my ex-girl friend access to my money to pay my bills while I was away. I thought I could trust her. She stole $15,000.

15 g's for 6 months?

...

Still cheaper than my wife.

D'oh!

**Baum Trigger** · 02-20-2007, 13:08

Originally Posted by superman

Normal...no, not normal. Before I hiked the AT I was on Wingfoot's site and they were talking about different ways to stay in control of your money at home while hiking. They warned to be careful who you leave with access to your money. I didn't understand what they meant until after I finished my thru hike. I had given my ex-girl friend access to my money to pay my bills while I was away. I thought I could trust her. She stole $15,000. That doesn't include the things that were missing from my house. I had started the AT with my son and paid his expenses. He hiked to Gatlinburg. I spent about $7,000 on the actual hike. It didn't bother me to stay in a motel or sample the restaurants along the way. $22,000 is not normal for an AT hike. Incidentally...I now pay my bills via the internet so I can handle it myself at town stops when I hike.

Did the $7,000 you actually spent also include expenditures for your son? That seems awful high. I'm sorry to hear about your loss thru the dishonesty of others. I've had similar situations occur as well, but not quite as extreme. There were enough hotspots along the way to control your own bills via the net? I never would have guessed there would be enough. I was planning on writing out all the checks for my bills in advance and grouping them by the months so they could be sent out in bulk.

**Lone Wolf** · 02-20-2007, 13:11

you can find internet access 2-3 times a week on the trail

**mountain squid** · 02-20-2007, 13:17

Originally Posted by Baum Trigger

I was planning on writing out all the checks for my bills in advance and grouping them by the months so they could be sent out in bulk.

Checks?!? What are they? Can't you set up your bills for auto payment? It is alot easier...

See you on the trail,
mt squid

**Baum Trigger** · 02-20-2007, 13:23

Originally Posted by mountain squid

Checks?!? What are they? Can't you set up your bills for auto payment? It is alot easier...

See you on the trail,
mt squid

Some of my bills do not allow me to partake in the lovely autopay function.. the others I already have setup in such a manner. Anway,

, I was really hoping to get some info about how much money individuals spent. If you don't want to share, thats fine, and I understand. I thought it might be interesting to see such statistics.

**Gray Blazer** · 02-20-2007, 13:28

Originally Posted by 4eyedbuzzard

15 g's for 6 months?

...

Still cheaper than my wife.

D'oh!

Didja ever listen to Handle on the Law (talk radio)? You know what you're paying for, right?

**partinj** · 02-20-2007, 13:59

I read somewhere on one of the site think it might have been trailplace that a guy did the trail on less than 800.00. he allready had all his gear and had got his train ticket. spend most his time in the woods

**mnof1000v** · 02-20-2007, 14:19

I'd say I had a pretty "standard" hike, if there is such a thing. I typically put in 20 to 25 miles a day, with a town visit at least one day out of seven. I took a lot of zeros, but mostly to hang out with cool people or in fun towns. I'm not a heavy drinker, so I didn't have outrageous drinking expenses. I planned for about $2500, with a safety net. I spent about $3500. If you factor in travel costs, new equipment purchases while on the trail, health insurance, and bills I had to pay, the total is much closer to 7k. And I don't regret one penny I spent.

**hammock engineer** · 02-20-2007, 15:29

My student loan, car payment, car insurance (not going to drop as someone is going to be driving it and I still owe on it), cell phone (may shut off later), health insurance, and pocketmail account will run me about $3K for 7 months. I am going to prepay everything I can and everything else is on autopay. I am putting all my stuff in a family members house for storage, so no rent to worry about.

I am going to set up a weekly budget that will take me to $2600. With a $2K in reserve if needed. I really don't drink that much, feel the need to sleep in hotels, or eat at resturants all the time (I work at one). I also have backups of all my gear with parents for mail drops if needed. They are going to mail me map sections along with food. So that should be a mail drop every other week or so. I also have a ride planned to pick me up from Maine and drive me back home.

I am also planning on picking up a just in case credit card.

I can also be back at my at current job a few days after returning, so it doesn't matter that much if I come back with only a few dollars in my pocket to spare.

**superman** · 02-20-2007, 16:03

The $7000 included all the gear and expenses for both my son and I. It's hard to say what part was only for my hike but I's guess about $5000 I didn't skimp along the trail either. I didn't set out to do it on the cheap. One of my quests was for a good prime rib. For all the restaurants I sampled along the way I enjoyed "The Home Place" the best (no prime rib). I took showers in comfy motels when they were available and yet I still stunk.
It wasn't the first time a woman has cost me some money.

**mrc237** · 02-20-2007, 17:15

Was her name Lois Lane?

**dloome** · 02-20-2007, 17:31

About $400 for gear replaced or bought along the way, another $1,200 or so for all other trail expenses.

I took about 3 1/2 months with I think 4 or 5 zero days, so probably a little less than normal. I'd guess most people spend about $3,000 while hiking.

**Marta** · 02-20-2007, 20:06

My husband kindly kept track of my spending for me. ;-))) I had a fairly lavish trip, with lots of motels, B&B stays, restaurant meals, and some gear replacement. It added up to around $8,000. I actually thought it would be more. When I add the six months of missed income--ouch!

I suspect spending often rises with age...

Marta/Five-Leaf

**Baum Trigger** · 02-20-2007, 20:11

Originally Posted by Marta

My husband kindly kept track of my spending for me. ;-))) I had a fairly lavish trip, with lots of motels, B&B stays, restaurant meals, and some gear replacement. It added up to around $8,000. I actually thought it would be more. When I add the six months of missed income--ouch!

I suspect spending often rises with age...

Marta/Five-Leaf

Wow, for the most part #'s are a little higher than I had expected. I was hoping to spend not much more than $3000 (is this do-able?) I hadn't planned on spending much money on hotels, restaurants, etc. It would be nice to spend more than this, but I dont quite have that much funds built up.

**superman** · 02-20-2007, 20:20

Yes you can hike the AT on $3000. Lot's of people hike it for that much or even less. How much you spend and how long you take to hike the AT are up to you. You are free to hike your own hike and it's all good.

**mrc237** · 02-20-2007, 20:26

It must be said that Marta did a SB hike that ended late Jan 07' 8 large musta been fun!

**Lone Wolf** · 02-20-2007, 20:36

Originally Posted by mrc237

It must be said that Marta did a SB hike that ended late Jan 07' 8 large musta been fun!

in 2000 me and gypsy hiked 1600 miles, took 9 months, i spent 12,000 large, she spent 4.

good time was had by all.

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