How much cash do I need???

[theresmorethanthis]

Im NOBO and leaving in March. I would like to buy as little as possible on the trail, but not be strapped for cash if I need it, and I do not want to run out and not finish!!!! looking for a range of thoughts. Some one told me they spent $6,000. isn't this excessive? I will need a plane Ticket back to Florida when I finnish as well. I don't think I want to fool with too much shipping... seems more expensive to buy it and ship all that food.... also how available is buying any other resupply on the trail? Water filtration? and propane for cooking? should I just go alcohol?

[Don H]

Depends. If you want to camp in the rain while the rest of the party is in town drinking, eating pizza and sleeping in a warm, dry motel room then you can go cheaper but it won't be as much fun. I bet I spent close to $6,000 for a 6 month hike.

[Trailbender]

Depends. If you want to camp in the rain while the rest of the party is in town drinking, eating pizza and sleeping in a warm, dry motel room then you can go cheaper but it won't be as much fun. I bet I spent close to $6,000 for a 6 month hike.

I spent $2300 on my 2010 thru and had plenty of fun. My tent was warm and cozy, I was not tempted to sleep in a motel room. I have never considered a motel worth the price. I did stay at a hostel several times, but I took a few creek baths and washed my clothes in the creek a few times as well, mainly to experiment, to see how well it would work. I had a few beers, but I never really felt the need to drink on the trail. I was out there to hike, not party. I did hike with others off and on, and enjoyed their company, but I strongly preferred hiking alone, and it did not bother me to keep on hiking when the others stopped in town.

To answer the OP in short, the more self discipline you have with money, the less you will need. I wasn't even trying to be cheap, and actually splurged several times. If I had cut it to bare bones, I could have did it on about $1500 or so.

[Don H]

Depends. If you want to camp in the rain while the rest of the party is in town drinking, eating pizza and sleeping in a warm, dry motel room then you can go cheaper but it won't be as much fun. I bet I spent close to $6,000 for a 6 month hike.

That included new gear I bought just for the trip. New tent, sleeping bag, pad, shoes and clothing. Also I went through 5 pairs of shoes at $100 a piece. I did see people dropping out due to finances so make sure you have enough. The town stops in the south will drain your money fast if you let them.

[theresmorethanthis]

Why 5 pairs??? Ive herd of 2... but five? really? what shoes?

[Jim Adams]

Why 5 pairs??? Ive herd of 2... but five? really? what shoes?

depends on what you wear. most light hikers are only made to last 400-600 miles. Mid weight boots or shoes will usually go 1000-1400 miles and some of the sturdier mid weight and heavier boots will go 2000-4000. You also have to understand that they break down. They may not have holes in them and still be together and look good but they may be internally worn out and start causing blisters, muscle aches, etc.

geek

[stranger]

depends on what you wear. most light hikers are only made to last 400-600 miles. Mid weight boots or shoes will usually go 1000-1400 miles and some of the sturdier mid weight and heavier boots will go 2000-4000. You also have to understand that they break down. They may not have holes in them and still be together and look good but they may be internally worn out and start causing blisters, muscle aches, etc.

geek

Damn skippy...most people will be lucky to get 700 miles out of a good pair of shoes, I generally get around 500, give or take

[Sassafras Lass]

Depends. If you want to camp in the rain while the rest of the party is in town drinking, eating pizza and sleeping in a warm, dry motel room then you can go cheaper but it won't be as much fun. I bet I spent close to $6,000 for a 6 month hike.

Sure . . . . but not everyone equates fun with blowing money on restaurants, hotels, booze, and the other trappings of socializing. You kind of make camping in the woods sound . . . . . . rather *****ty, Louis.

Couldn't pass up a Deliverance quote.

[Panzer1]

people who have more money, will spend more money, and have more fun.

Panzer

[Spokes]

Don't become a town hound or seccumb to the "let's slack pack this section" syndrome and you won't spend as much money.

[garlic08]

Some say that a good amount is $3500 plus/minus $1000. I planned on $4500 and spent less than $3500, including worn out gear and transportation to and from Colorado (2008). I did not pass up a single restaurant meal or night's lodging if I wanted it because of funding. I was surprised at how little I spent. I also hiked a fast hike, 3.5 months, and I'm convinced that that saved a lot of money. I have also heard the range lies between $1,000 and $10,000, seriously.

[theresmorethanthis]

Some say that a good amount is $3500 plus/minus $1000. I planned on $4500 and spent less than $3500, including worn out gear and transportation to and from Colorado (2008). I did not pass up a single restaurant meal or night's lodging if I wanted it because of funding. I was surprised at how little I spent. I also hiked a fast hike, 3.5 months, and I'm convinced that that saved a lot of money. I have also heard the range lies between $1,000 and $10,000, seriously.

3.5 is fast... average was 20 miles every day? whats the most you did in a day? I should have $3000 to $4000, I really dont want to spend all of that.. and I think Im looking to do it in five months.

[Slo-go'en]

First, resupply along the trail is no problem. The pickings can be slim at small town grocery stores or conveniance stores and they tend to be expensive. But it still beats maildrops and going home to 500 left over power bars if you happen to quite early.

There are way too many variables to predict how much money you'll spend. I'd have at least 4 grand put away. We've all seen many a hiker go home due to running out of money. Either they did not budget enough to start or they spent way too much, way too early by not knowing how to budget.

[Jim Adams]

$3000 should be enough if you use your head and don't "waste" it....just beware, it is very easy to spend too much in the beginning and run out later.
I stayed at some hostels along the way and 3 motel rooms but for the most part I used the cool and cold weather to "camp" down south and tended to stay in hostels or motels later in the summer when I really wanted air conditioning and a nice shower.

geek

[Trailbender]

$3000 should be enough if you use your head and don't "waste" it....just beware, it is very easy to spend too much in the beginning and run out later.
I stayed at some hostels along the way and 3 motel rooms but for the most part I used the cool and cold weather to "camp" down south and tended to stay in hostels or motels later in the summer when I really wanted air conditioning and a nice shower.

geek

I found I spent more at the end, hit like 3 or 4 hostels just in Maine because I was beat up and burned out. I still liked hiking, was just ready to be done.

[Jim Adams]

I found I spent more at the end, hit like 3 or 4 hostels just in Maine because I was beat up and burned out. I still liked hiking, was just ready to be done.

definitely! If I have a decent supply of cash left toward the end, I will spend it everytime just to be a little more comfortable be it food, shelter, shower, new equipment or what ever. The point that I was making was that it is very easy to hike with others that have a substantial or unlimited buget and stay in every town and eat in every restuarant and sit for a while in every bar and by mid Virginia you are broke and headed home....see alot of this every year.

geek

[theresmorethanthis]

so then.... When plainning my money, its important to plain to spend my time with people who are more committed to the trail. I think I will be a lone hiker most of the time anyway.

[Jim Adams]

so then.... When plainning my money, its important to plain to spend my time with people who are more committed to the trail. I think I will be a lone hiker most of the time anyway.

you will make alot of new friends out there...some will be very committed, some will treat the entire hike like a frat party and there will be alot in between. Just use YOUR head...you know how much you have to spend...make lots of friends, have alot of fun but hike so that YOU can finish...HYOH?

example: To save money I may pass up a restaurant when others stop, I may pass up a hostle or motel, I may pass up a ride to town.....but I never pass up a liquor store...but that's just my priority.

[Just a Hiker]

so then.... When plainning my money, its important to plain to spend my time with people who are more committed to the trail. I think I will be a lone hiker most of the time anyway.

From my experience, if you do end up hiking with someone, it really helps to have a similar "Hiking Budget".

[OneStepCloser]

they say 2 dollars a mile minimum... it really depends you could do it as low as 1200 if you dont stay at hostels/ or go into towns and stuff. me personally i plan on spending 5k(which is the average not including gear).. alcohol, showers, hostels.. maybe stay at a hotel to heal and stuff..