I’m looking to thru hike next year and was wondering how much money I should put aside? Also, should I use Credit cards or cash?
Super Scout
Thru Hike Cost - Appalachian Trail
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#2
Both… Using the cash only method could be a bit tough. You might run out of cash before that next ATM. I personally wouldn’t recommend the credit card only approach. Some Hostels or places to stuff your face might not take credit cards. You definitely don’t want to miss out on that. EVERYONE takes cash. So my advice is to have both. You’re going to be around plenty of hikers ,so it will work out… I wouldn’t plan on hiking the 2175 miles if I didn’t have at least 5gz to spend ON TRAIL. That doesn’t count any type of bills you need to keep up with at home. If you have no bills and plenty of credit card space, you can start with less…,… Hope some of my advice helps.
Have fun!
Bubble Boy
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#3
Have at least two ways to get money or pay for things. Cash and a credit card worked for me.
AT hikes cost anywhere from $1000 to over $10000. Mine cost $3500 last year, with plenty of good town meals and lodging. Average is around $4000 to 5000. If you have $5000, you’ll be plenty set and can buy new gear along the way if needed.
A lot depends on how much partying you do. It’s real easy to drop $20 on microbrews in a lot of towns. It also depends on how fast you hike. A 100-day hike costs less than a 200-day hike, and both are possible.
Garlic
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#4
You might check out Big Daddy D’s journal from a couple years ago to get some more ideas he listed his expenses on a daily basis and it figures out to about $1.65 per mile and he seemed to eat and sleep well, worth the look and read.
4Bears
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#5
Assuming you just need trail money, and not some to keep your home front going, I would suggest several grand in cash-some to carry-and then use a credit card where needed and pay the minimum balance until your done, then pay it off when you painfully go back to the cube farm. We saved for three years since we have a house etc so we planned to need about $16K. The trip for two was around $3500 living nicely in town and most of the rest went to mortgage payments. A single person on trail would live hog for prob 2-$2500 unless you need medical and new gear. Our costs did include both. Get the gear right the first time and take care and eat healthy then the only budget killer is the beer.:cheers
Bushwhack
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#6
HI, I hiked in 05 and really liked using travellers checks… these can be obtained at the bank or through american express in advance… if your not familiar with them they work kind of like cash in that if you have a travellers check for 100 dollars and you buy a hamburger, you get the rest back in cash. This way you do not need to carry mass amounts of cash always. i mail dropped more travellers checks and they are better than cash because if you lose them in the mail, you can call the company and get a new one made up. also i would say 3-3500 is a reasonable amount to thru hike with. your going to want to take a shower…good luck!
goldilocks
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#7
he’s rich! ever since i met him on the trail in “01” anytime i ask him for my allowance he sends it promptly in thousand dollar bills!!! hey bushwhack, i’m due for another cah drop!:cheers
2 bucks a mile includes all kind of fun
neighbor
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#8
Somehow I knew you’d crawl out of your court appointed YMCA hammock, Dave-O. A fresh can of Spam, some Right Guard, and perhaps a fresh distemper shot are in the snail mail, C.O.D.
BW
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#10
In 2007 on the PCT, Guino and I spendt 5,122. Check out the break down in my journal.
Hydro Heidi
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#11
In 2007 on the PCT, Guino and I spendt 5,122. Check out the break down in my journal.
Hydro Heidi
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#12
hostels, motels, hotels, and beer…thousands, burgers, bagels, subways, and Boar’s Head Delis…thousands, a completed Appalachian Trail Thruhike…priceless! And don’t forget to tip your waitress.
fishngame
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#13
I liked using a debit card instead of a credit card. That being said, you have to save all your money ahead of time. I had a credit card with me for emergencies like when I was attacked by a rabid raccoon and had to go to the hospital emergency room and then 4 more hospitals for additional shots. When I needed cash I just used my debit at a Walmart or drug store etc and bought something and got extra cash back. Don’t get travelers checks. I had a couple that were gifts and didn’t use them. and they can get wet and ruined.
Sleeveless AT '05
Sleeveless
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#14
Super Scout>>
From one scout to another, the cost of your trip depends on a variety of variables. Examples:
-Bills at home you plan/don’t plan to pay (not/planning to return)
-Pre-existing health/health problems/unforseeable health problems (stress fractures, lyme disease, etc)
-Comfort/spending habits (hotels/hostels/dining/equipment)
-Yellow blazing/sight-seeing/transportation to and from AT
I did this trail on $600 and used a credit/debit card for those places that didn’t use debit. I know people who’ve done it for less and picked-up work along the way if they ran out. I carried an emergency stash of $100 cash, but be aware it could be stolen (ahem - “Skatch/MacGuyver,” 2008) or lost in the wash.
Consider your needs and keep in mind that you are only a week/100 miles from mountain towns and you will be surrounded by some very generous individuals. I might be biased, but I think hikers are some of the best people on Earth.
In al bocca de lupo, crepi il lupo Scout!
Li’L CuBiT
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#15
The last 5 summers on hikes I took travelers checks. They worked fine until last summer on the pct when about 50% of places in Calif. would not take them due to recent probs with fake paper . Take cash & visa.
floater