We are planning to resupply along the trail on our AT Nobo thru-hike from Feb-August. How much cash should we carry? Are ATMs readily available? Do most places take credit and/or debit cards? When would we need cash (i.e. gas for hiked rides, etc.)?
Thanks!
Pound Hound
Don’t carry more than 50 bucks cash on you. Most places take credit cards now. I carried 50 bucks or less, 3 or four checks, a debit card and a credit card that got me all the way to the end. I put more checks in my bounce box and would take 3 more checks when I ran out. Some people say not to put checks in your bounce box, but I had not trouble.
youngndum
I carried over $100, and was glad I did once. A lightning storm knocked out the phone in N Adams, MA, and a motel there gave us a nice room at a great discount because we had the cash, they couldn’t run a credit card. And once I had a credit card company change accounts on me, and I didn’t get the new card on the trail until the old one expired. So it’s a good idea to carry the second card as said above, or extra cash.
There were a few towns in NJ and NY were it seemed like nobody took credit cards, but I suppose checks would have worked if you didn’t have cash.
Garlic
In the unlikely event that you are robbed or you lose your money, does it make a big difference whether it is $50 or $200? I mean compared to the entire cost of the project.
Cash
I was wondering, has anyone actually experience, or know of a crime on the trail, besides the really terrible crimes that make the headlines? I am not worry about losing a couple hundred dollars, my gear alone cost near a 1,000 dollars. It’s my dignity, and my life that concerns me.
chessnut
No. I was just thinking reading that last post about robbery that the hiker’s worst enemy is his or her self. The greatest “danger” in bringing lots of money is simply leaving it somewhere. You take so many quick showers in public places, empty your pockets so many times in laundromats, make quick stops to buy food in unfamiliar places, empty your pack every night in the woods–so many opportunities to leave something behind.
If you do leave something behind, like leave your pack at a trailhead to go into town, or in a town park to do your shopping, yes, it might disappear. Keep stuff with you, keep your head on your shoulders, be aware of your surroundings, you’ll be fine.
In '07 my partner lost his sleeping bag ($300+) in a small Montana town. He put it outside to air out in the sun, a gust of wind blew it out onto open range, we never got it back.
Garlic
I carried my atm card and a credit card. The most cash I had on hand was about $20. That would let me buy crap from the little stores who were just off of road crossings, but I wouldn’t be tempted to get more things that I would have to carry. Everytown has a drugstore, grocery store, etc… where you can buy some food with your atm card and get cash back.
windex
After I wrote that I decided that it’s probably more responsible if everyone (but me) carries less than $50 so that predators don’t start targeting hikers.
Cash
2005 2 nobo’s had their stashed packs stolen after hitching into Kent Conn. almost certainly the ride came back and searched for the packs
george
Remember that money weighs more than one might think. I would not recommend carring change for several days for as its buying power does not exceed the effort to carry it. But suprisingly even the bills are printed on heavy weight paper. I suppose a fifty might come in handy in a pinch, but what about the change? The AT is not as remote as it once was (phone lines are everywhere)and it will be hard to find a town that does not have an ATM near by in the increasingly rare instances where vendors do not accept credit. It is more probably a tax reporting issue on the store’s or hostel’s part with the few establishments that fail to provide plastic services.
Stealthblew
Thanks for all the input! This discussion is helpful…we’ll have a great time negotiating with each other for our final decision.
Pound Hound
Just be aware there are some hostals / motels that only take cash. The Hike Inn in Fontana is one. READ the guide books!
Tattoo