How Much Money To Save Before Thru Hike?

While there is no definite answer to the total cost, I would recommend preparing to drop nearly $2,000 . You can definitely get gear for the less, but don’t expect to buy the lightest gear for much less.

How much should you save to thru-hike?

Monthly Budget

Ask any thru-hiker how much a hike costs them and the answers can range from $2/mile all the way to $10/mile if sparing no expense. A good rule of thumb is to budget $1100/month for trail expenses.

How much should I budget for the Appalachian Trail?

Setting budget percentages

That rule suggests you should spend 50% of your after-tax pay on needs, 30% on wants, and 20% on savings and paying off debt . While this may work for some, it’s often better to start with a more detailed categorizing of expenses to get a better handle on your spending.

How much money does it cost to thru-hike?

For a normal thru-hike with standard stops every week for resupply you are looking at around $1000 per month, typically $6000 total for six months . The AT though can be far more social which can lead to longer extended times in town and ballooning expenditures and costs if you lack discipline and self-control.

How do people afford a thru-hike?

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

Total Cost

As you can see, while some thru-hikers are able to spend as little as $700 a month on the trail, others spend upward of $1,300 per month. While this all really depends on your personal hiking style, on average, CDT thru-hikers spend about $1000 a month while on the trail.

Can you make money hiking?

It is Possible to Make Money Hiking

While it may seem to good to be true, you can make money while hiking, backpacking and camping. As long as there are people purchasing outdoor gear, and taking on hiking trips there will be companies and groups willing to pay experts for information and content.

Why is thru hiking so expensive?

Home and travel: Your recurring bills plus the cost of transport to and from the trail . Gear: Even if you’re a seasoned backpacker, you’ll likely have to pick up some new items or replacements along the way. Trail time: Food is your biggest cost, and that can be big. Town time: Motels, diners and beers add up quickly.

How many miles a day should you walk on the Appalachian Trail?

According to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, most hikers take between five and seven months to complete the AT end to end. According to our data, that translates to an average pace of 14 to 20 miles per day for most hikers.

What is the 50 30 20 budget rule?

Senator Elizabeth Warren popularized the so-called “50/20/30 budget rule” (sometimes labeled “50-30-20”) in her book, All Your Worth: The Ultimate Lifetime Money Plan. The basic rule is to divide up after-tax income and allocate it to spend: 50% on needs, 30% on wants, and socking away 20% to savings .

What is a good monthly budget?

A good monthly budget should follow the 50/30/20 rule . According to this method, your monthly take-home income is divided into three categories: 50% for needs, 30% for wants and 20% for savings and debt repayment.

How can I live on 1000 a month?

1. Lower your bills and save money (I saved $290) ...
2. Switch cell phone plans. ...
3. Move your money into a high-yield savings account. ...
4. Cut Out Wasteful Entertainment Costs. ...
5. Reuse and Repurpose Stuff. ...
6. Put Money Back. ...
7. Eat less meat. ...
8. 1. Facebook Ad Manager.

Is hiking the Appalachian Trail worth it?

Hiking the Appalachian Trail will help your resume stand out post-adventure . While this is not a reason in itself to take on a 2,000-mile journey, it is a bonus that helps make an easier transition to the post-hike real world.

Is the Appalachian Trail safe to hike alone?

Do you have to pay to hike the Appalachian Trail?

Entrance Fee

The Appalachian Trail is free for all to enjoy . No fees, memberships, or permits are required to walk on the Trail.

What is the hardest hiking trail in the US?

• The Maze. ...
• South Kaibab Trail/Bright Angel Trail. ...
• Kalalau Trail. ...
• Mist Trail – Half Dome. ...
• Muir Snowfield Trail. ...
• Huckleberry Mountain. ...
• Barr Trail.

How do I get sponsored for hike?

1. Figure out what you need: what gear has worked for you in the past? ...
2. Get involved in the online hiking community; learn from others. ...
3. Start looking early: brands that you would think have a preexisting brand ambassador/sponsorship/donation department probably do.
4. Figure out what you (as a brand) can offer the company.

How do people afford long backpacking trips?

1. Save some money. In general, US$1400 per month of travel. ...
2. Pare down your fixed expenses. Rent out your home or sublet your flat. ...
3. Get vaccinated. Yellow fever, hepatitis a/b, rabies, etc.
4. Get travel gear. ...
5. Pick a destination. ...
6. Quit your job. ...
7. Open your mind.

How much does it cost to hike the PCT?

The average cost of a PCT thru-hike, including gear, food/resupply, and other end-to-end trail expenses, is $4,000 to $6,000 per person for an average thru-hike. That said, it’s not uncommon to hear stories of some people spending close to $10,000.

When should you start the CDT?

CDT Northbound Start Date

Most thru hikers start the Continental Divide Trail in April or early May. The ideal start date for thru hiking the CDT Northbound would be 15th April . This would allow someone hiking the Continental Divide Trail northbound to not rush the trail and risk injury.

How much does it cost to thru-hike the Colorado Trail?

In general assuming an average hike of The Colorado Trail of 4-5 weeks, figure roughly $1000 +/- . This price does not include the cost of gear or transportation costs to and from the trail.

How long is a thru-hike?

Essentially, a thru-hike is an end-to-end backpacking trip on a long-distance trail like the A.T. or the PCT. More than 2,100 miles long, the A.T. runs from Georgia to Maine, while the PCT, at more than 2,600 miles long, runs from Mexico to Canada.

Who is the oldest person to walk the Appalachian Trail?

M.J. Eberhart , 83, is the oldest known person to hike the entire Appalachian Trail. “Eighty percent of it is mental grit,” he said. “And that is why so many people fail.” M.J. Eberhart, an 83-year-old retired eye doctor, had a strenuous weekend.

Who is a famous hiker?

1. Grandma Gatewood. I would never have started this trip if I had known how tough it was, but I couldn’t and wouldn’t quit. ...
2. Andrew Skurka. © JustTooLazy (CC BY 2.0) ...
3. Buddy Backpacker. ...
4. Heather “Anish” Anderson. ...
5. Bill Bryson. ...
6. George “Billy Goat” Woodard. ...
7. Jennifer Pharr Davis. ...
8. Earl Shaffer.

Can you carry a gun while hiking the Appalachian Trail?

While it is now legal to carry a gun through national parks with the correct permits, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy discourages carrying firearms on the trail . Then there’s the matter of having the correct permits for all the states, and having concealed carry permits.