How Much Money Do You Need To Hike The CDT?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

How Much Does It Cost to Hike the CDT? Most people report spending $5,000-$8,000+ thru-hiking the Continental Divide Trail. On average, hiking the CDT requires about

$1,000 a month

, and the trail takes around five to six months to complete.

How long does it take to complete the CDT?

Successfully thru-hiking the entire Continental Divide Trail takes an average of

five months

.

What percentage of hikers finish the CDT?

13.16% Colorado Trail.

10.53%

CDT Section Hike. 10.53% PCT Section Hike.

Which thru-hike is the hardest?

  • The Appalachian Trail. The Appalachian Trail is a very challenging thru-hike trail found in the eastern United States. …
  • The Pacific Crest Trail. …
  • Devil’s Path Trail. …
  • Mount Huashan. …
  • El Camito del Rey Trail.

What is trail magic?

Trail magic –

lending support to long-distance PCT hikers

– is a practice that’s been on the rise. It has many forms: a ride into town; a cold soda at the trailhead; a shower and a bunk. Many people consider these to be remarkable acts of kindness and a positive influence on the trail experience.

How much of the CDT is complete?

The CDT is now

95 percent

complete. It’s located on public lands for 95 percent of its length. The CDT crosses six major watersheds, seven different ecoregions from desert to glaciers, and 14 native tribal land regions.

How do people afford a thru-hike?

Is thru hiking expensive?

REI Co-op employees say

on-trail costs can range from $3,500 to $6,000

—and that doesn’t include gear, which can cost between $700 and $5,000. According to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), most hikers spend about $1,000 a month, and the majority take nearly six months to complete their hike.

Is the CDT complete?


New CDT Bill Would Complete Trail by 2028

– Backpacker.

What is the longest hike in the world?

The world’s longest designated hiking trail is the

Pacific Crest Trail

, which runs for 4,260 km (2,650 miles) along the West Coast of the USA between the Mexican and Canadian borders.

How many miles is the CDT?

The trail stretches across the United States some

3,100 miles

between the borders of Mexico and Canada, twisting and turning to follow the spine of the continent.

How many people attempt the CDT every year?

Each year

roughly 150

people attempt to thru-hike the CDT, hiking the entire length of the trail in one hiking season.

When should I start Sobo CDT?

The CDT Start Dates


June 13

– SOBO Average start date for hikers who said they were happy with their start date.

How many miles is PCT?

The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT) is

2,650 miles

(4,265 kilometers) long.

Is the CDT harder than the AT?


The CDT is much more difficult logistically than the AT or the PCT

. Resupply points are few and far between with at least 5 to 7 days or more between towns. Not only are there are fewer towns compared to the AT and PCT, but the trail does not go near them.

Which is harder PCT or CDT?

The Recognition. The Continental Divide Trail may not be as well-known as the Pacific Crest Trail on a large scale (and this is a good thing), but among hikers,

the CDT is largely regarded as the more challenging of the two trails

.

Which is harder Pacific Crest Trail or Appalachian Trail?

That shows, when evaluating the most obvious factor, terrain,

the AT is without question the more difficult of the two trails

. Not only is the PCT graded much more favorably than the AT, you’ll find a much more rugged tread with more rocks and roots on the AT.

What is a NoBo hike?

Short for “northbound,” “northbounder,” or “northbound thru-hiker.” When indicating a thru-hiker, the NoBo identification means

this hiker started at Springer Mountain and intends to hike or has already hiked continuously to Mount Katahdin

.

What is pink blazing?

Pink Blazing:

when a hiker intentionally speeds up or slows down to hike with a potential love interest

.

What is yellow blazing?

Yellow Blazing — Similar to “blue blazing” (above), yellow blazing is

when Appalachian Trail hikers “cheat” by getting driven further up the trail

. Zero Day — Often referred to as “taking a zero,” this applies to rest days on long hikes where zero miles are covered.

What does the CDT do?

CDT vaccination

helps to protect healthy sheep and goats against Clostridium perfringens type C and D (overeating disease) and Clostridium tetani (tetanus)

. Enterotoxemia vaccines are available and are an important aspect of controlling the disease.

Can you drive the Continental Divide trail?

Last but not least,

you can circle the Continental Divide, crossing it twice, on a driving tour through and beyond Wind River Country, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, and more

. This driving tour offers a stunning tour of the landscape and the rich culture of Wyoming.

How long does the Pacific Crest Trail take?

The trail is 2,650 miles and it generally takes the entire snow-free season to walk. That’s

about 5 months

. Elite athletes who are experienced on the PCT have finished the trail in as little as two months. The few who achieve sub-100 day hikes average well over 30 miles per day.

How much does it cost to thru-hike the AT?

How Much Does it Cost to Thru-Hike the Appalachian Trail?

$3,000

is the easy answer. This doesn’t include gear that you buy before the hike.

How do I get my thru-hike sponsored?
  1. Get sponsored by a company (or multiple companies)
  2. Grow a large social media presence.
  3. Become an affiliate for outdoor brands.
  4. Become a Cabin Caretaker along Trails.
  5. Sell Print-On-Demand Clothing.
  6. Freelance writing and photography.
  7. Be a park campground host.
  8. Get contracted to take a trip.

How much should you save to thru-hike?

According to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, a hiker will spend $1,000 per month on average while on the Appalachian Trail. Given it takes 5 – 7 months to complete an AT thru hike, you can expect to spend

between $5,000 and $7,000

during your time on the trail.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.