Budget Time

[takethisbread]

A thru hike costs $2000. That's the bare minimum for a reasonably healthy hike with reasonable gear and very little frills. One could do it for $1200 if they already had most equipment and were content to eat knorrs and ramen, and stay away from towns for more than a few hours. I'd like to be the first person to spend $20,000 on a thru. That's a record worth shooting for.

[MedicineWoman2012]

OH ! That would be a real treat for my feet and tummy each night I would get a shuttle to town and and back again bright and early to hike to next road crossings...teeehee! Just kidding...That would take the whole wilderness experience outta of it and it would no longer seem like a pilgrimage. Ha ha!

[Derek81pci]

I'm in the $4,000 bracket. Been planning this too long to be sidelined by something like money. I pushed it back from NOBO to SOBO just to have more time to save. Also, I like the upfront challenge of Maine, and the solitude southbounders get. Plus, I get all the hot water that I want at the hostels! No shower lines!

[Ferrousknight]

I put $3500-$4000

That's my cap, I hope to spend less than that. I already dropped a bunch on new gear to replace some of my heavy, dated stuff and I count that as part of the cost. On the other hand, I don't drink, so beer while in town isn't going to cut into my budget. On the other other hand, I kind of worry that it will cut into the social experience of hiking, but I'm not going to start drinking at 23 just for that.

[turtle fast]

Realistically a $1000 won't cut it to do the AT. Most hikers that had that kind of budget usually burn out before Harpers Ferry, I have personally seen it many times. Any gear malfunction would be a big hit to your cash reserves, forget about a great social life, and do not even bring up an injury and going to a clinic or something. Realistically $2500 and up. I have seen many cost around $5000 with all the bells and most of the whistles. The old adage a dollar a mile was true for the early 1990s, but now its like $2 a mile with inflation.

[SETX_Mason]

Update: im just breaking 5k now lots of over time the last 3 weeks.... i over shot even after buying a kindle and a android Max... quit my job today... im praying hard i can get my old job back when i Finnish money was too good.... but i figure i will burn the extra bit of money getting back to Texas(i refuse to fly due to TSA)

[Pony]

I predict the dropout rate this year will be at least 38.04%

[AjR]

I've got two years left in the Army before my wife and I start our hike, and I'm planning on saving up to anywhere between 12 and 15 grand. This is for new/updated gear, food, and any other expenses.

[LDog]

I predict the dropout rate this year will be at least 38.04%

Playin' it kinda safe, eh?

[Hooch]

I predict the dropout rate this year will be at least 38.04%

But bear in mind that 89.3762% of all statistics are made up on the spot.