AT Budget Planning

imported
#1

My wife and I are planning a 2009 thru-hike. What is a good amount to plan for food-wise (We thought $5 per day per person)? We want to enjoy the hike and spend time with people and experience the culture- going into towns, eating out, etc. What is a realistic estimate of how much we would be doing that (eating out) and how much we would spend?

JoelnCortney

#2

$6000-$7000 is a good amount to have for the both of you

wolf

#3

I spent $2.00/person/mile in 2004.

WILDCAT

#4

5 bucks a day/person is very low. Doable but low. If you don’t mind eating Ramen, Mac N Cheese and Oatmeal all the time, totally doable.

I used to figure on about 5 bucks a day for groceries in 2003, but this was before I cared about nutrition and what I ate (I was 19) and the cost of food (along with everything else) continues to escalate.

You can certainly be thrifty in the south and shop at places like the Dollar Store if you’re not picky, but realize how much your body craves good nutrition on a long hike.

Now, I probably spend closer to 10 bucks a day. It’s worth it.

A-Train

#5

The trail is more expensive than one thinks. I’ve only done a third of the trail and it cost more than I expected. You can save here and there, but when the weather gets bad and so on you sometimes have to retreat. Also, some of us like to help out other hikers who are on a lower budget. I plan on an attempt at a thru-hike in 09 and have plan a budget of 20K and that includes helping others along the way.

Ned the Fed

#6

$2.50/ mile, does not include gear.

farsang

#7

Including bus tickets and 1pr boots, not other gear. All I ate was ramen and oatmeal.

spider

#8

Ned let me join you in 09 I will even buy the first round in each town

george

#9

Let’s see: $5/day per person x 180 days (6 mos) = $900.00 per person. No, that definitely won’t work.

Try $30/day per person x 180 days (6 mos) = $5,400.00 per person.

That’s your basic minimum. For the two of you that’s $10,800.00. Don’t be fooled; you’ll need every penny of it.

And, yes, this is just for food.

Canby

Canby

#10

$5,400.00 for one person for food, divided by the 2,160 miles (the length of the AT), comes out to $2.50 per mile, for one person, for food only.

Canby

Canby

#11

I would definitely agree with $2.50/mile. Pretty accurate for what I spent on my thru last year.

Nicole

#12

I spent about 750 a month. I didnt hesitate to stay in hotels, tip big, or order that extra cheese burger and pint of beer either.

manfire