What do people typically spend out on the trail, minus gear. I’m sure it depends on the person. i’m just curious, because running out of money and having to end the hike would definitly be a bad thing.
clong
clong
$Cost$ - Appalachian Trail
system
#2
What you spend out on the trail is pretty much up to you. You can spend a little (almost nothing) or you can spend a lot.
I’ve heard estimates of one dollar per mile, which would equate to $2100 for a thru hike, or $300 dollars per month if it took you seven months. Now $300 is a lot of food to eat for one person in one month----considering that Ramen noodles are only like 10 cents a pack. Most of the money people spend is spent in town, in motels and in Pizza Huts, DQ’s, and the like.
So you can hike with an expensive taste or you can hike very cheaply. It’s up to you. Some people have thru hiked with all their gear being bought at Wal Mart for very little money, or you can spend thousands on equipment ($300 tent, $300 sleeping bag, $200 trekking poles, $100 hydration systems, etc). You can also buy equipment very cheaply if you desire, lower quality yes, but much cheaper. You can also cut your own trekking poles, use soda bottles for water, buy cheap tents, tarps and sleeping bags.
So it is really up to you, how much you spend. A family (Mom, Dad and two children (10 and 12)) from Roanoke thru hiked and spent like $20,000 doing it. To me that is excessive and very expensive.
So the cost is up to you. There are people out there who hike very cheaply and spend very little. And there are people who stop in almost every trail town, eat at all the places to eat (Pizza Hut, DQ, all the AYCE places) and overnight in practically every motel on the trail. So it’s really up to you what you spend.
See you out there. :cheers
Maintain