The NEW Cost of Thru-Hiking

An in depth analysis of how much we spent on our thru-hike

[@sam.and.moriah]

Thanks for watching everyone. Remember to hit the like and subscribe button to keep the content coming!

[@MaxZomboni]

If you could knock out the hotels and town food you could be down to almost a thousand a month for the two of you. $1,000 a month would be doable for one person if you just don't take too many zero days. It should be $1,000 a month for the trail and $1,000 for everything else.

[@Yetithruhikes]

I think it is important to emphasize that your expenditure is very specific to your style of hiking. I spent 3.5K on the entire PCT when I thru hiked it. You spent more just on hotels. I never even been in a hotel lobby when I was on trail. Again, very different styles of hiking. So, people seeing this should not be getting the impression that a total of ~15K$ is a norm of any sort. There is no norm. You are honest about your stuff which is very valuable for people to learn from what best suits them.

[@scottgoodson1964]

That's what I was thinking. They aren't hiking, they're glamour hiking. Lol.

[@Andy-Mesa]

@@scottgoodson1964 they took 14 zeroes, much of those in houses. Probably only a week spent in hotels, out of maybe 150 days. Hardly glamorous.

[@Yetithruhikes]

@@Andy-Mesa Yet they still spent 15k$....

[@JM.5387]

@@Yetithruhikes $15K for 2 people, so $7500 per person.

[@Yetithruhikes]

@@JM.5387 Which is more than double of what I've spent.

[@Sam-sz8hk]

That's definently the way to do it. I wish my partner and I had saved more for our PCT thru this year but we got by with 8000 between the two of us. We also sent many boxes beforehand(and obviously got sick of our food). Didn't pay for hotels, save for a very few desperate times. And didn't go to bars. But dang it would have been a lot better that way

[@mg222.]

This is a pretty realistic breakdown in terms of cost. I did the PCT in 2021 solo and probably spent around $9000-10,000 not counting flights. I think morale is very important and sometimes you need to splurge a bit on a hotel room (even for just yourself) and I would've found it nearly impossible not to pig out on town food. I'm very thankful that I was able to save up money to have in reserve for the hike and felt that it made the trip a lot more enjoyable and less stressful. I probably spent less on gear that you guys did (not counting initial cost), but maybe a bit more on hotels and I did sometimes spend money on bus rides.

[@elizabethtipton4193]

Thank you for the meticulous record keeping and sharing those numbers!

[@eliseott]

I'm working on a spending video for my CDT hike and stumbled across yours! I was curious how the CDT and PCT compared and it seems like our numbers actually came out pretty similar. I feel like inflation got us all a little bit this year and totally agree that the $1,000/month (or $1/mile) thing just doesn't cut it anymore. Thanks for sharing!

[@jamesadams2334]

Thanks for videoing your trip. I got turned on to you two via Julia since I live near her home town and her work I started following her which also led to you. Congratulations on a great hike. You both are strong hikers! When I watched your breakdown of expenses I was shocked. I can't imagine spending that much on a thru hike. I thru hiked the A.T. in 1990 and I do realize that things were a lot cheaper back then but I did the A.T. for $1800. It took me 191 days to hike the trail but I also had 79 zero days. Back then there were no shuttle services, only 3 hostels on the entire trail and I only stayed in 2 hotels the entire trip. Also there was not light equipment. I arrived on Springer with a 72 lb. pack but I was carrying way too much food (10 days). By the time I got to Delaware Water Gap I had it down to 42 lbs. and kept it there till Katahdin.I spent most of my zero days in the woods or on lakes and rivers swimming. Restocks were either supermarkets or Mom and Pop stores or gas stations. Long story short, I hiked again in 2002 and did that hike for $2100. Pack weight down to 27 lbs. I carried 4 days of food, a liter of water and a liter of whiskey. I used a 10 x 10 tarp both hikes. still had 61 zero days., stayed in 3 hotels 2 hostels, no shuttles. 2008 I attempted a thru hike of the PCT but due to the altitude I stopped at Yosemite and returned home. In a week in the end of the Sierra's I ate a slim jim and an energy gel, couldn't eat anymore and lost 26 lbs. in that week. I ended up in the hospital for 4 days. My total expenses not counting the hospital for 1000 miles of PCT were $1600. I have found that I can restock for $50 / week at Dollar General and only eat one meal in a restaurant per week. I'm not writing this to get down on you but to show anyone that is discouraged by your figures and is going to give up that it can be done a lot cheaper. That said, Damn I wish I could have hiked the way you and Moriah did....it sounds like you had a great and fun trip. Again, Congratulations! Looking forward to more videos. geek

[@mafp22w]

Thanks! We just spent a small fortune taking care of our sons feline leukemia positive cat before having to put him down. I wish I could have donated $212 for a line item. As a pilot, there is a free tour of the Coachella Valley for you if you get this way again. You are a great couple.

[@sam.and.moriah]

That's amazing! thank you so much, we really appreciate it and will definitely take you up on that next time we are there!!!!

[@katie_otoole]

"Whiskey" lmao. Amazing and really helpful video, thank you guys and congratulations!

[@garyblack2858]

Thanks!

[@sam.and.moriah]

Thank you so much!!!!

[@bearanoia673]

Thanks for the breakdown. We road tripped cross county from the last week of May through part of June and we couldn't believe how much lodging has gone up. I ve always wondered about the YT revenues. Thanks for sharing it and don't feel awkward as you guys earned that money. The production time, the entertainment & educational value to your followers, etc - you earned it. Thanks for taking us along. 🐻🌲

[@user-ot9bj1tp9n]

About $3 a mile per person. In 2020 it was cost me about $2.50 mile. Whiskey budget was much higher than yours lol great video me and my GF are hiking it again in 2025.

[@paultijsen6370]

Cheers to that! I do see a correlation between the time we drank whiskey (and camped at the Mc Donalds and public restrooms) and the higher lodging costs when you weren't drinking the whiskey. Perhaps you saved some cash because of the whiskey!

[@kristymoore7052]

Wow, thanks. I figured on about 10k for myself and your breakdown makes me still feel comfortable with that because I’m older and can’t fly through the trail like you guys did. At 60, I’ll need to flip-flop a bit and can count on friends/family to ease the hotel/town food/resupply, I also know that when I need a break I’ll need to take one. My game plan anyway. Would LOVE to see a post gear review. I had the Tigerwall and couldn’t stand it due to the semi part of the freestanding because i live in the Sierra granite and it was too frustrating. I LOVE My Cooper Spur, but I know I’ll need a lighter weight tent. Kudos to you 2 that tent the entire way. Sounds like if gear is paid for in advance and dialed in, the costs are shoes, food, lodging, shipping, misc., gear replacements and yes, most definitely, donations.

[@sam.and.moriah]

I think 10k is probably the perfect budget. It would be comfortable and add tons of flexibility. As for the tent, we absolutely love it. Our only regret is not having a three person. The two person is truely hip to hip and two sleeping pads don’t even really fit next to each other. A post trail gear video is coming!

[@chrisbentleywalkingandrambling]

You deserved every penny you got on that Trail. That 24hrs blew me away. There is another number too. I remember being self employed sat on a Beach in Bulgaria thinking how much money I wasn't earning through being on Holiday. I was able to get a paid leave job when I got back easily enough but the lag between leaving the Trail and getting employment is one to factor in for those not lucky enough to have their position held open. So I'd factor in another couple of K on return as a buffer. I get this is an 'on Trail cost vlog' but it is maybe something people don't consider. But one thing I want to say is that due to your inspiration I'm still out there a couple of days a week in The Peak District National Park. If I hadn't watched your vlogs I'm sure I'd still be a couch potato. Great vlog, thanks for the full breakdown.

[@sam.and.moriah]

Thanks Chris! So glad to hear you are still out walking!!!

[@chrisbentleywalkingandrambling]

@@sam.and.moriah out there and loving it. You can always watch an old bugger making a fool of himself if you want. It's all online and the fault of you guys. Only you and RAC Tracks got to the Terminus. (Out of those I was following) Everyone else had to leave early. I know NOBO is the purest choice for a route but SOBO will avoid the fires in future years possibly.

[@chuckbooth3984]

Thanks for sharing the details on the costs for completing the PCT.

[@sam.and.moriah]

Glad it was helpful!

[@shannonblack9712]

Appreciate your willingness to educate and share. I'm really happy for you guys being able to finish. It's so crazy: when I found your guys videos I was shocked to know that you started in March, and thought for sure it was too early. You proved me wrong, especially now that many this year will be unable to finish due to fires. Thru-hiking is quite the feat and I'm thankful for you sharing your story.

[@blazingwanderers]

I haven’t done a thru hike yet,but I’ve done lots of section hikes and I always take wine while my husband always takes some type of liquor! My wine goes in a platypus flexible wine pouch. His liquor goes into a flexible pouch as well. These are our luxury items! Whiskey is yours!😊

[@frstesiste7670]

Really interesting video. I planned to make an expense spreadsheet after the PCT, but never got around to it. I didn't spend much on gear on trail. I bought four new pairs of shoes (and started in another almost new pair), new gaiters once and two new pair of shorts as the ones I used more or less dissolved. My almost new pack and hiking shirt were also more or less shot after the trail, but the rest of the gear was still in pretty good shape. You could argue that equipment bought and more or less worn out on the PCT is also an expense even if it's not actually bought on the trail, but it's difficult to draw the line and I'm fine with the way you did it.

[@Slowhiker-xw2kp]

Great video, good info. I must say the whiskey line item shows a mature level of wisdom, and setting priorities!

[@LuckyLarry]

As a matter of fact I do like a good pie chart as well as pie! Y’all, including yalls tramily we’re hiking phenoms….the amount of miles y’all could do on a day to day basis was beyond impressive. Sometime when you have a moment it would be fun to hear how much coin y’all left out there on the Oregon coast! I bet it was a good bit! I am really surprised to hear the total amount. It was was less than I guessed considering the majority of your spending was in California. Hubby and I spent over a month in the last year out there on two different trips and we spent a lot…and we ate most of our meals in our different VRBO rentals. No matter what the cost. Y’all got your moneys worth! I loved every minute of it!

[@drakebonnellbonnell9045]

Hi guys. An absolutely informative video. Thanks. Take good care

[@ferretzfan]

Wow, that’s more expensive than I realized. Thank you for the info. Cute dogger - glad you got him!

[@michaelb1761]

Track how much you spend at home. Even not counting rent/mortgage payment, it makes the money spent through hiking seem reasonable. I track how much I spend on my shorter hikes (never more than 3 weeks), and including the transportation at the beginning and end, it works out to $30 to $50 per day, depending on the trip. A vacation anywhere else is way more expensive, and even my living expenses at home are over $1,500 per month (no rent or mortgage, as I own my home).

[@deanbothwell6992]

Your welcome…yes please keep it rolling you guys are such a breath of fresh air for some of us Who lived vicariously through your videos when some of us have obligations that won’t allow us to do something like that right now but inspire us that it can be done and will be done if you put 1 foot in front of the other and treat people with kindness along the way. Stay warm keep busy dream up something new.

[@anapestic]

The total sounds like a fair chunk of change, but it really boils down to getting a vacation for two for about $100 a day. Pretty good deal, overall.

[@Deuce7Off]

I don't agree, from a traveler's perspective the cost is ridiculously overpriced and it would make more sense to take the thru hike into international territories where permits aren't required and the cost of living may even be cheaper. I personally am an amateur when it comes to hiking, but I've traveled a fair share of countries. It would be cheaper to hike through Mexico or Costa Rica. Since the weather is hotter, equipment cost would go down as well. Permits aren't required and the town food would cost around 5-10 dollars per day. Turkey would even be a viable destination as well as Lithuania. Plane travel would cost more but cost of living would be similar to Latin American countries.

[@djstraylight]

Getting an early start on the PCT (or CDT) is the new reality with wild fires in the west closing down parts of trails every year.

[@Henning_Rech]

CDT wasn't so bad this year.

[@davidvedel4556]

I really appreciate this, very through and open, thank you.

[@hikeoverheels5429]

Yoooo razor (Téa)here! I haven’t seen you guys since the beginning of the Pct! Great video and hope you both are doing awesome!

[@Junkorgem]

Thank you.

[@jaygosuico]

I'm trying to make next year's class a little cheaper by providing free bear can "rentals" after a bunch of hikers I pick up in Tahoe keep needing to drop off their cans at the post office- emergently. My goal is to buy 25 to 50 used bear cans for $50 and then cycle them to following years for the same $50. I could use y'alls help in getting the word out. Thanks for the video and thanks for acknowledging trail angels. Cheers! And safe travels!!! 👣 👣 👣 ~OutsideJay

[@sam.and.moriah]

What a great idea. I highly recommend putting this info on the far out app. All hikers on the trail will see it!

[@tomgreer365]

Thanks for putting the videos together for us. It's been entertaining and educational. I've been dreaming about thru hiking, so I've been watching a lot KZbin. Yours has been one of the better ones in my opinion. Thanks again!!

[@michaelb1761]

Interesting what you said about the increased costs from Bishop to Burney. I wonder if it would be cheaper for a southbound hiker who isn't dealing with the snow there. Of course they are dealing with snow in Washington, but towns and lodging aren't much of an option/temptation in Washington. I like how you broke out whiskey. That's part of my backacking budget, but I include that in my food budget. If I'm getting whiskey at a small town, I can at least count on some Wild Turkey 101 as a cheap option (hopefully). Sipping on som Cali Distillery Mavericks while watching this. P.S. Thanks for all the videos.

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Nice breakdown of the cost. Great video and channel. New follower here. Crow✌️

[@garyblack2858]

Great explanation of your cost. Really enjoyed your videos. Loved the map thing at the end of each day. Thanks for sharing your adventure! And am enjoying your videos back on the homestead.

[@Jendollla]

I would think this is very helpful for people who plan this trip. Very cool of you to put it together.

[@lightwalker4558]

I priced a few shuttles in central VT this past week and they are asking $2 to $2.50 a mile plus tip. I know gas prices went up, but they are coming down, below $3 a gallon in many places. I realize gas is a small part of the total cost. Regardless, that equates to a $50 fee for a ride 10 miles into town and back. Hence, I have opted to carry 8 days of food on this section so I can stay on trail. I feel sorry for the hikers that don't have that option. 😢

[@jamesadams2334]

Just hitch into town and back. $500 in your pocket.

[@JM.5387]

Agree, just going into town less is the best way to save money. If 8 days is too much, at least average 5 or 6 instead of 4.

[@richardross7219]

Congratulations on a great accomplishment. Good video and analysis. I disagree with your final conclusion. The $15,000 for 2 probably had a 25% savings in it for a couple. The total would have been about $20,000 so an individual should plan on $10,000. With the double digit inflation we are seeing, next year will be even more expensive. Thanks for sharing your findings. Happy Trails. Good Luck, Rick

[@JM.5387]

Inflation has slowed quite a bit, and has currently settled at about 3%.

[@richardross7219]

@@JM.5387 Not in New England. Prices are still going up on food, electrical, and plumbing supplies. Gas prices went down for a little while but they climbed ~ $0.30 per gallon in the past two weeks. Don't believe the government propaganda, look for yourself.

[@AMCD18]

Thanks for the breakdown and your honest information.

[@justwalking1167]

Thanks for the information. I actually thought it would cost more.

[@andymytys]

The one thing I’d add would be the cost of day-1 gear. Lots of people that start these trails have never thru-hiked the AT, CDT, etc. or even backpacked before. Your kit was high end and dialed in. I’d say another $1500-2000 to outfit yourself for a Campo start if you have little to no gear and want to start out light and performance oriented. Three desirable characteristics of gear - low cost, light weight, quality. You only get to pick two. The one you didn’t pick will be the opposite of the above.

[@sam.and.moriah]

I’d say that’s a pretty accurate cost. It’s hard for us to track it all down because we have had all this gear for several years and replace or upgrade things here and there. The plan is to do a gear related video here soon. I think we have some good knowledge to share about gear to be successful on the pct

[@KevinM-ov3qr]

I am glad you added number of zeros but would have also been good to hear number of nights in a hotel and if you could have avoided if you just wanted to go into town and back to trail. Also wanted to thank you for sharing your trip

[@sam.and.moriah]

Great suggestion! we had the idea to do a stats video. Miles per day average, amount of zeros/neros, nights in hotel, etc. I think there are a lot of funs stats to dig up and explore

[@pamelalynn3767]

Great video. loved the breakdown and thanks for including the money you received(earned). All those expenses really added up. I really liked your lives adn know they took time out of your day. It was a pleasure following your journey and I look forward to future adventures.

[@davedurham5321]

Loved your videos! Thinking of a late march start 2023 (if I get a permit), would you mind sharing your clothing load through the Sierras? Hope to meet hikers as awesome as you two appear to be next year.

[@AdventureWithMeSB]

Thank you for this! Good to know!!

[@Henning_Rech]

It was quite constantly 100 $/day for both of you, only more in May.

[@lennywiersma1435]

You had me at Whiskey...

[@intothefoxhole7985]

Does town food cover the cost of town beer at resturants and grocery stores? Id be curious how much that adds into the category, i know you broke whiskey into its own group.

[@calex9398]

I wonder what it would have been like 10 years ago. Anyways awesome man

[@mr.bnatural3700]

Man, it costs a lot to be homeless.

[@punkrocker1984]

Oh wow

[@megeshom729]

Great breakdown! Super useful. I’m planning for a March start. I had noticed that you both wore melanzana hoodies. Did they serve you well through the Sierra? I also noted that Julia wore an alpha hoody. Maybe a Senchi Lark? Anyway, I was curious if you ever discussed the strengths/weaknesses of them as a mid layer, especially when very cold. Thank you for any insights.

[@sam.and.moriah]

We love our Mellys and Julia loves the senchi. The consensus is the senchi is lighter and more packable but the melly is slightly warmer

[@megeshom729]

@@sam.and.moriah Thank you sooo much for your reply. Your answer is very helpful. I love my Melly too. I’ve just been tempted to try the Senchi.

[@sam.and.moriah]

@@megeshom729 we are tempted as well!!!

[@megeshom729]

@@sam.and.moriah It’s a pretty amazing fabric.

[@robbrandtBSA]

Posh just posted her final video today too! I was wondering what happened to her...

[@sam.and.moriah]

Yes they are all home and settled! so psyched for them

[@jesusoffthewalls]

What was your guys longest water carry?

[@bc-dd9qp]

wondering if there are thru-hikers that don't use the ultra-light/expensive stuff - and if doing so increases their suffering during the length of a thru-hike?

[@hikerJohn]

I saved not buying whiskey but that's almost what my Garmin InReach services cost that my sisters talked me into getting. How many pairs of socks did you have to buy?

[@sam.and.moriah]

I believed we each bought 4 pairs of socks total and all of them in the first 800 miles. I guess the desert allowed enough sand in to tear them up. We noticed how strange it was that all the sudden we weren't ripping them anymore

[@2ddw]

Were there any difficulties managing your finances? I imagine you credit carded everything and paid up on-line when you were in town. Were there any issues?

[@sam.and.moriah]

You got it! Credit card and pay in town. No real issues. Except the time Moriah lost her wallet in the Desert!

[@IHoMyPo]

Seems like you can half everything but lodging and donations to calculate a one-person cost.

[@kristymoore7052]

Thanks!

[@justwalking1167]

Thanks!

[@sam.and.moriah]

Thank you for everything!!!