How Much Money I Spent Thru-Hiking 2,193 Miles on the Appalachian Trail

[@spikeeus]

Let the record show that her hike was filled with numerous hostel visits. If one wanted to camp more and spend less in town, that number could be brought down significantly.

[@poochieluv]

Yes you’re right there is a budget friendly way of course

[@Revelation_Overland]

I would spend less than a 1000 the entire trip. That’s ridiculous.

[@spikeeus]

@@Revelation_Overland ehh. You’ll probably need 4 pairs of shoes throughout the trail. That’ll cost roughly $600. Then of course there is food, which depends on what you eat. You could eat nothing but ramen noodles, but you’d probably die. A frugal budget of $7 per day on food would cost you between $630 and $1050 depending on how fast you are. This brings you to between 1230 and 1650. An annual national park pass will run you $80. This brings you up to between $1310 and $1730. This is all assuming that you already have gear and none of it breaks over the course of 2000 miles. This is also assuming you stay in no hostels, drink no beer, and eat no town food. My point being, $1000 seems a bit optimistic.

[@Revelation_Overland]

@@spikeeus yeah, I did some math and at $20 a day for food in four months was over $2000. So I’ll retract my statement. But I don’t see me going through 4 pairs of good hiking boots.

[@spikeeus]

@@Revelation_Overland yeah that four pairs of shoes was referring to trail runners. If you were to stick with boots the whole time, they’d probably last longer.

[@emilyvaughn7797]

People spend that in a week in Florida on a crowded beach too so, seems like a pretty sweet deal to me.

[@scuffco1868]

🎉💸Wow!! Worth every mile

[@crazy4beatles]

I’ve spent that much on my last two trips combined. Brazil for a month and Mexico City for a week, including expensive concert tickets

[@Seesuns]

That is a great point you make. 😊

[@TXMEDRGR]

I hope you got that much and more from the great KZbin videos you posted. I really enjoyed them.

[@RobertSmith-bs4hl]

I plan on doing the A.T. with my wife, and plan on spending less than 3000 if we run out. we run out. I don't really care if we only make three months it's going to be the best vacation ever.

[@mdgeist9737]

I'm doing it on 2000 next year with homade MREs

[@6foot8jesuspilledpureblood82]

There's no way you do I that cheap unless you are living on pure carbs, with destroy your health. Spend the extra money and feel better.

[@nathaniel04]

HAVE FUN!!

[@fleadoggreen9062]

Update please????

[@liamlifts]

did you do it

[@InnocentAlaska]

Are you alive ?

[@Mr1982shawn]

Would like to see a more in depth video covering a deeper breakdown showing food, lodging, gear, entertainment etc

[@TaylortheNahamshaHiker]

There's a full version of this video on my youtube channel where I break it all down

[@danielfegley2735]

That was a very fast hike only 4 months the average is 6 to 7 and still it was a lot of money I guess that's food lodging and laundry February is very early start too

[@douglascrawford5628]

$6K seems to be the average, but you didn’t take 6 months either. Congrats on finishing what a lot of us look up to you for.

[@tyrone1544]

You’re totally clueless Dougie. And obviously, have to live vicariously through these KZbin liars.

[@tamirarivas1061]

It’s a priceless experience and accomplishment. Good for you! 😊Now maybe you can give us more detail on how the funds were spent 😄

[@cwesley2005]

This short sparked my love for the AT!

[@Deneblikethestar]

I just found this channel and was wondering why I never saw or heard of you on the trail until I saw I started over two months later lol. Shaw's hiker hostel was a great place to procrastinate ending the trail and just party lmao

[@TaylortheNahamshaHiker]

Shaws was great! I went back there after I summited katahdin to spend more time haha

[@geromemanicia3809]

moral to the story here guys, you can thru hike and have fun too

[@davidortiz3094]

You don't have to spend that to much to do this

[@mikefitzpatrick43]

What did she spend money on?

[@kathismith7441]

@@mikefitzpatrick43 who know? Seems like a lotttt. Spending money staying and eating in town most likely

[@mtadams2009]

I think the average person spends about that but not doing it so quickly. Unless your eating crap food and never staying in a hotel it adds up. I think taking six months to hike the AT is a very slow pace.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

I think I'd rather hike the AP backwards with a 200lb pack than go to disney anything....

[@operationandy]

I’d rather see money spent on the hike itself instead of hotel’s restaurants beer and gear So I can know how much it will be for just the food spent hiking

[@Redskies453]

Just do a 7 day training hike and calculate from that.

[@AlexBorrelli11]

Would you mind doing a breakdown of your monthly expenses? I think it would be very beneficial for those who are preparing for the AT, to see how much money is spent on food, supplies, shelters, etc. Thank you and love you videos!!!

[@TaylortheNahamshaHiker]

There's a full length version of this video on my channel that goes over all that! It was posted July 20, 2021

[@boonedog1457]

You are amazing hiking the AT by yourself. I just found your channel. Happy Hiking 2023 on the AT.

[@brownleatherboot277]

So you finished the whole trail in 4 months. You must be an expert hiker. I've been thinking about doing this but I've never hiked anywhere. I'm 100 pounds overweight and 51 years old. I've been bed ridden for the last 10 years but I can walk, barely. Any suggestions, ANYONE???

[@Mauricio-oq1tm]

Totally worthy!!!! I would do it ag..... Heck, I'm doing this again!!!!

[@Python1960]

Interesting to know the actual breakdown eg food, rent at hostels, equipment along the AT.

[@EliasVoorhees]

Taylor, my page always puts this thumbnail of you on anything AT I search. I just want to say it’s very cute pic of you. Love your content.

[@shaneomack5018]

My nana always told me “find what makes you happy and do that all the time”

[@Ricky_Evans1611]

For my mom happiness was Pepsi and Little Debbie's cream pies every day. And then she got diabetes 😞

[@MrJacobmetcalf]

I've just been watching all your videos I need to leave a comment keep It up

[@TruckManThings]

not bad, you did it so fast. i'm gonna budget 8k including gear.

[@mctaguer]

Think of it this way: in 5 months you'd probably spend ~$2000 on groceries (not even eating out) anyway. Add gasoline for a car, heating and other things that you didn't have to do...bet it's not a lot extra. I live in Europe, took 2 weeks vaca to DC & Colorado last summer--nothing extravagant. Just plane tix and hotels cost me... $3500.

[@MN_Grow_Bro]

Spent 7 days on the Superior Hiking Trail and spent $138 and that was for gas and basics... You don't need to spend this to have a great time outdoors. Now the cost of gear is a different story but that can be acquired in time.

[@fuzyfuzfuz2]

I mean.... it's kinda the same as a cruise vacation or an international flight stay for LESS time!!! So that's actually a DECENT vacation trip and the best part is that it's not only a "vacation," but a life journey, a pilgrimage if you will, and a workout, making life long friends, incredible experiences that bring you closer to yourself! I'd say that's MORE than worth it!!!

[@happyandfreehealing]

Good for you! I think the fact that you had a lot of extra hostel and hotel stays makes the trail seem more accessible for those who don’t feel like they could camp every single night.

[@jeffmcknight4818]

I remember when I thru-hiked the AT in 2011, I spent around $2k for the whole 4 months. Things are a lot more expensive these days!

[@teelamorissette5615]

Sweet, i think $6000 is what i see most people planning to spend on trail. The only issue I see with people comparing thru hikes with peoples vacations is that a vacation to Disney for a week doesn't require you to quit your job and put life on hold. I think once you start doing that, you have to include/factor in what your lost income is as well.

[@raptorsan85]

I'd like to do this in two years. Not only have to budget for the hike but I have a life with bills so have to budget six months of bills for home base as well

[@worldsocold639]

With a shepherds sling and a fishing hook and line you could have saved 5k easy.i hiked the pct this way and spent like 100 to buy some supplies in the beginning and thats it.

[@rogersmith9051]

Really.wow that's my kind of hiking experience 👍

[@christopherweber9464]

Thank you for posting this.

[@user-ey8on8ly9f]

You're a true inspiration.

[@coreyseals4269]

That spent on supplies on your hike? Food, etc, or that combined with hotel accommodations! Please forgive me because I'm new to all this, but I find this absolutely amazing. I would like to do this one day before I kick the can!

[@zam6877]

Could you talk specifically of the breakdown of costs Looks like, yeah, hostels are your big costs So, hopefully, people who can't...just tent it For myself, I would LOVE to pack light and hike from hostel to hostel 😍🥰

[@TaylortheNahamshaHiker]

There's a breakdown of all the costs in the full YT video on my channel 😀

[@Aaron_Ada]

I don't think the issue with doing this is so much the cost. I am sure you could do this a little cheaper and still be comfortable. The issue is being in a position to take ~4-6 months off of work (period), WHILE still spending $6k, and losing that income. $6k for this is frankly dirt cheap, and worth every cent.

[@americansweetheart5597]

I just bought my mom a survivor buff for mother's day 😁 we are both hikers. And both huge survivor fans.

[@lorettascott5477]

Wow 😲😳 good 👍 for you!!! I'm so excited for you and really ready to try myself!¡ Your positive attitude is awesome 👍😎 keep it up young lady!! until I save the money In living vicariously living through you lol 😂😆 I love love your positive attitude 💕 keep it up!!! 👍😎♥️🙏😊

[@LesIsMoreTube]

That’s awesome! 👍

[@chrisroberts6860]

approximately $48 per day. $2.65 per mile. youch! i wonder what the gear costs were and how the expenses break down into subcategories. thanks for sharing info!

[@LETSGETUTILIZED316]

That's about about $2.5 per mile. Lol

[@Beertownbill]

Thru hiking is cheaper than bike touring. I spent $15k all-in to do the TransAm in 2022.

[@jacksongraydon2503]

The ROI on a long distance/thruhike is IMMENSE

[@mtadams2009]

First off congratulations. I am just wondering were your number so high because you were hiking in a good part of the winter? I do a fair about of long distance backpacking and I have never came close to your numbers. Take care

[@Ahmadandwoods]

That's awesome I'm putting myself on a 6k budget for my 2023 thru-hike I can't wait

[@Ahmadandwoods]

Hey I would really like to know if the $1500+ monthly was necessary Or was it just a personal preference or a personal comfort Or was it something that you had to spend that amount on to make it through the month ?

[@rangoo8136]

@Ahmad you don't need more than 3k total if you don't pay for shuttles or hostels but it won't be as fun

[@Burner62984]

That seems like a crazy amount of money but the comparison to Disney makes it understandable.

[@davidnacin7777]

That's under 50 dollars a day, which is pretty good. How much were the costs before hitting the trail? By this, I mean all equipment plus travel to and from the trail.

[@user-kv4su3xm9q]

You're a legend.

[@PatriotPopp19]

I've been trying to get where I can afford to Hike a big part of the AT for like 5 years now. And no matter what I do I just can't get ahead to get there. I'm 34 single, no kids , work full time n try to do anything else I can to make money and I jus can't get there.. I already have some gear but its mostly cheap and older heavy stuff..n jus not ideal for a long hike.. so I need some gear plus the trip and not working for that long . I jus can't get there tho and I feel like if I'm not able to figure it out soon I may never be able to bc I'm starting have alot of health issues start on me.. I've never been able to go on vacation anywhere to do anything , and i feel like the AT is jus something I need to do before I die.. if I'm never able to do anything else thats the one thing I Want . I jus need to see some of my country you know , It's like its killing my soul not being able to...Anyway yal are jus blessed to be able to do this.

[@lickourballs1atatimeok]

I just admire your courage👊🏽👊🏽

[@TaylortheNahamshaHiker]

Thanks!

[@lickourballs1atatimeok]

@@TaylortheNahamshaHiker as a male I'm intimidated by multiple thru trails. When I see you and other people, You have me understanding, its a big mindset. The women are doing way better than the guys 😆 🤣 😂 Thanks for being an encourager✌🏽✌🏽not bad on the money bracket either

[@itmaslanka]

So that around $57 a day for March and April . That’s seems to be a lot , is it packaged snack bars , overnight hostels?

[@KatJim25]

Very accurate. I did the PCT. $6k

[@carolecarr5210]

WOW, although I only did 1300 miles ( got injured) in early 90s and I sent $100 a week on average. Yikes, inflation !!!

[@inxiti]

With inflation, it means you roughly spent the exact same amount as she did…

[@MrTyler0durden]

@@inxitiyou suck at math

[@rcnsucom]

Damn I was hoping to spend $0

[@smoothlyamusing1502]

You can if you plan in advance properly

[@USMC978]

You can make money on it too. There’s plenty of side jobs you can find/do.

[@kevinoreilly4362]

@@USMC978video game side quest shit

[@fuzyfuzfuz2]

If you don't want to stop for a hotel stay to shower and do your laundry you could totally thru hike for "0" dollars on trail but you'd be really stinky and dirty.

[@rogersmith9051]

Is it possible? I don't have money but wud love to go.seems outta reach

[@NikiLivi5]

That’s why we haven’t been back to Disney. The last time we spent $5500 for a week. I’m not spending more than that.

[@user-cp8pi4sg2j]

You're a role model.

[@GeneralPublic0000]

Unless you’re homeless, you also need to consider the time away from work and the bills that continue during the months of hiking.

[@raptorsan85]

be nice to have a vague idea of what you spent that on i.e. zero day lodging? Food for the trail? Food in town? etc... thx though

[@deadman4712]

I was hoping for a summary on a continuous 2 month is trail just to complete the Sierra Nevada

[@jamesmonahan1870]

DON'T GO UP TO THE MOUNTAIN TOP WITHOUT ME (c)2006

[@benjaminjeanes998]

I can honestly not tell if people like hiking, or if they like a good photo opportunity and making videos to establish social identity online .. seems like a mating ritual for popularity and money

[@cg_actaware]

Hey! What is your recovery routine like? Do you do any bodywork during down time?

[@blakehutchinson9586]

How do you even spend that much walking thru the woods getting food and basic supplies

[@davidortiz3094]

I can understand the ending you spend that much but ain't no way I'm spending that much

[@shaneomack5018]

Than don’t..

[@davidortiz3094]

​@@shaneomack5018I won't. The journey isn't nowhere near that expensive. Only becomes that way if you booking hotel rooms & eating out a lot at every place you stop at.

[@lilywhetsell8106]

Some bigger expenses are having to buy food relatively frequently especially to meet calorie needs and gear that gets worn out. You definitely don't need to spend a whole lot but id make sure you have enough saved for some unforseen events. It would suck to run out on trail and have to leave early :( also if you injure yourself you are gonna have to pay for a place somewhere which could happen and is good to prepare for. Not trying to argue just make sure you save a lot and spend as little as you want

[@kathleenbolanos]

Oo for. 4 month vacay? Terrific!

[@frolege1]

I think that a great way to spend $5,000 ... good for you Taylor

[@DanJackson-nl5om]

Taylor, does that amount include the nights friends or family covered your lodging cost? I love your videos and they have been tremendously helpful to me!

[@TaylortheNahamshaHiker]

This is the money that came out of my bank account Thanks!

[@Blaze_556]

I’m watching through your 2021 thru hike vids now. I’m up to say 26 so far. $5800 for the total trip seems like a deal if you ask me

[@user-yd1cg9yz1k]

That's insane..... absolutely insane

[@TaylortheNahamshaHiker]

Actually very average haha

[@travisgrimm]

Every time I think of how much it cost to keep my home life while hiking, someone else maxing a credit card at another vacation, it seems affordable

[@paddlefaster]

I would just sleep in a tent. To me that's the whole point of thru-hiking. A hostile once in awhile is nice but my opinion takes away from the experience

[@Revelation_Overland]

My thoughts exactly. Anything other than a tent or trail shelter is cheating.

[@jemimacoop2726]

You have to eat

[@paddlefaster]

@@jemimacoop2726 you carry food with you and resupply as needed

[@davidkeith7087]

Most on food, hostels, equipment?

[@mr.halloween87]

We traveled for two and a half years camping around the country in 1989 and only spent 15,000 dollars. Ajust for inflation.

[@benjaminjeanes998]

Doesn't matter what you spent as long as you lived your "best life"... Sometimes sacrificing comfort will reveal your true needs, fulfilling those will reveal your best life. I did the AT with $3000 in 2010. One grand went to weed. I was living my best life

[@benjaminjeanes998]

But I don't do hostels, zero days, and can eat next to nothing.. I've been hiking my best life since 1984

[@chuckhines459]

I work at a casino and there are people who spend $30,000-$50,000 a night.

[@KB-re4ku]

And how much in all the gear/clothing you carried?

[@jasonhenning9748]

Holy f@ck, that’s one expensive hike

[@coppersnextadventures134]

That's about what I spent on my thru-hike.

[@nicksiropaides7332]

5,800 and $600 at one hostel!!? That’s ridiculous

[@jamiehall9796]

That's not bad. I'm glad I've got nothing to worry about.

[@phillippitts6294]

Plus the five grand it cost to pay rent and utilities while you were gone.

[@RakeshMalikWhiteCrane]

I want to do some through hikes also, but I have to figure out how to care for my cat in order to do it... months of kitty sitter time would be crazy expensive, and crazy stressful for my fur baby :-/

[@SupTim1]

bring your cat or put it up for adoption

[@RakeshMalikWhiteCrane]

@@SupTim1 I can't give up my furry little child! I'd prefer to bring her. I definitely need to start getting her used to camping ASAP

[@SupTim1]

I would never let an animal keep me from living my life. Which is why I don't have any. If I did, it would be a chicken or a rabbit and I would eat if before my hike like a caveman

[@danieltengdin]

Can I get a bigger break down with lists of what you spent money on

[@TaylortheNahamshaHiker]

There's a full length youtube video on it

[@Thejoshrandall]

So....preparation included a pair of hiking shoes?

[@forkintherode8236]

That’s about what I’d expect the cost to be. I would probably be in the 7 or 8K range. Well done

[@chriscon8463]

And $4,000 of that was spent on coffee at Dunkin’…

[@johnhancock8107]

She's skipped over your comment real fast lol

[@teddelguercio2173]

Dollar for dollar, ABSOLUTELY worth it :)

[@user-fk7bb9jb7v]

Sounds like the bars did well

[@lovesallanimals9948]

I could never afford that

[@malachitemoondance1086]

Much better than an expensive trip to Disney, especially how bad it's gotten.

[@dmunman]

You eat everyday regardless of what your doing. What percent was just the food, the gear, and the hotel and the misc?

[@TaylortheNahamshaHiker]

I broke down all the categories in the full YT video on my channel!

[@dmunman]

@@TaylortheNahamshaHiker your Awsome. Sorry I missed you as you hiked past!

[@ericrebarchik4453]

So, thats travel exp.inly(food/lodging) only?what was initial gear?

[@TaylortheNahamshaHiker]

Yes that's just the money I spent while on the trail. I'm not sure what the price of my gear is added up tho, I've been collecting it for years

[@nothanks9503]

I’ve been hiking the trail for years now haven’t spent a dime lol

[@willbarton4508]

Can't believe that it's been 2 years already.

[@bold810]

Yeah, I was curious how much of the bill was hotel overnight, that adds up SOOPERFAST, 🥺🥺🥺 👍

[@ciara7172]

Yeah, but it's just as bad if you consider you have no income for 3-4 months

[@nicolevahai5982]

How did you spend that much!?

[@lovablelibra]

So May you were a slacker 😂you hiked as much as the first month

[@echoscope4278]

Not bad. I wonder if she skipped any of the trail itself?

[@TaylortheNahamshaHiker]

I did not

[@Chicagonono]

That's crazy I spent 900 the whole trail

[@sojourn1544]

That’s because you hiked the trail instead of fine dining and hotels every few miles. lol. Hiking the AT has changed since the 70s 80s 90s.