For many backpackers, the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) looms majestically before them, at the apex of their life list. If you’re contemplating this adventure, then you already know that some serious planning is in order. One of the most important—and often overlooked—aspects of getting ready for a PCT thru-hike is the decidedly unglamorous task […]
The post How Much Does It Cost to Hike the Pacific Crest Trail? appeared first on REI Co-op Journal.
For many backpackers, the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) looms majestically before them, at the apex of their life list. If you’re contemplating this adventure, then you already know that some serious planning is in order. One of the most important—and often overlooked—aspects of getting ready for a PCT thru-hike is the decidedly unglamorous task of budgeting.
So, how much does it cost to hike the PCT? On average it costs about $6,000 to hike the PCT. That said, the cost of your hike can easily amount to several thousand dollars higher (a common scenario) or lower (if you’re disciplined and your hike is setback-free).
Ask people how much they spent hiking the PCT and the answers vary. Feedback from REI Co-op employees who have thru-hiked the trail in recent years indicates that the cost can range from $5,000 to more than $10,000. The Pacific Crest Trail Association suggests that thru-hiking the trail can cost anywhere from $4,000 to upwards of $8,000. These figures include the price of gear plus end-to-end expenses along the trail. When creating a budget, keep in mind that there are additional expenses to account for.
Below are the main budget categories to help you plan your PCT thru-hike:
You likely won't be earning an income on the trail, so you'll need to cover expenses while you’re away. Take a close look at your home budget for a complete overview of costs incurred away from the trail. Major expenses include the following:
Gear costs can range from $2,000 to $4,000, depending on how much you own already, whether you choose to upgrade and how much you choose to invest in the upgrades you make. See our comprehensive PCT Backpacking Gear List for ideas on PCT-specific gear you might want to consider. Big-ticket gear expenses include the following, with ultralight gear often commanding a premium price:
Fortunately, trail life is relatively cheap. But paying for six months of consumables can still add up. And the length of your hike factors in. Let’s say you calculate on-trail costs at $20/day: over the course of five and a half months, you’ll spend $3,300; if you stretch the hike out to six months, you’ll be up to $3,600. Trail-time expenses include the following:
Town time is a reward you’ve earned, as well as a necessary respite that lets you recharge your batteries. But, at $50 to $100 per day, it’s incredibly easy to overindulge, so track expenses closely and reel them in when they get out of hand. You'll likely have a few primary town expenses:
If you take one town day per week, you’re looking at roughly 25 days on a six-month hike. And when you forecast town days, increase that number by three or four to account for trail buddies whose invitations to socialize are both hard to resist and hard to predict.
It’s the rare PCT trip that doesn’t have something unforeseen happen. Maybe you’re delayed by a wildfire that requires a massive detour or you suffer an overuse injury that requires rest. Perhaps your sleeping bag rolls off a cliff. A savvy budgeter sets aside funds for the unexpected. Some choose a fixed amount like $1,500, while others go with a percentage, like 15 percent of their overall budget.
Stepping off the trail and back into the working world is a huge transition. Many people quit their jobs in order to hike the trail; if that’s you, set aside money to pay for a few weeks of living expenses and job hunting. Even if you have a job waiting, give yourself a few weeks of transition time before returning to work. Read Life After the PCT: Post-Hike Depression for tips on easing your psyche back into society.
Some hikers cover their reentry needs with their contingency fund—this is fine as long as you make sure your contingency fund is a very flush budget category.
The oft-repeated PCT advice “hike your own hike” also applies to financial planning. Craft a budget that’s as meticulous as your hiking plan, not one based on other people’s rough dollar estimates. If you aren’t a budgeter already, then practice doing it at home first. You’ll develop the skills to project a reasonable trip cost and to manage expenditures. And when you’re out on the trail, tally expenses to be sure you stay on track. (Big budget busters are towns and contingencies.) If you do your budgeting well, you’ll return home with a surplus in the bank and a wealth of stories to tell.
The post How Much Does It Cost to Hike the Pacific Crest Trail? appeared first on REI Co-op Journal.
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