
Spend what it takes to get a pack that’s comfortable on you. Pack: Extended-trip packs (70+ liters) range from $150 to more than $400 when you choose, focus on getting one that fits rather than one that’s ultralight.Tent: One-person models range from $140 for a tent that weighs nearly four pounds to more than $400 for a tent that weighs less than two pounds.Big-ticket gear expenses include the following, with ultralight gear often commanding a premium price: See our comprehensive PCT Backpacking Gear List for ideas on PCT-specific gear you might want to consider.
#Wild dose boots upgrade#
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.
#Wild dose boots plus#
Flights to and from the trail plus meals, hotels and ground transportation.Insurance premiums (medical insurance is especially important).Loan payments, such as car loans or student loans.House payment or rent (unless you sell or sublease) and utilities (like cell phone bills).Take a close look at your home budget for a complete overview of costs incurred away from the trail. You likely won’t be earning an income on the trail, so you’ll need to cover expenses while you’re away. Give yourself plenty of time and money to plug back into the working world. Reentry fund: The end of the trail is mentally and financially challenging.Contingency fund: Plan for the unexpected, like trail detours, injury downtime or a partner exiting to buy and ride a motorcycle along the way.Town time: In-town splurges-on a motel bed, “fine diner-ing” or beers with newfound trail friends-can easily add up if you don’t plan and spend carefully.Trail time: Food is the biggie here and trail food is cheaper than restaurant meals, but several months of moderately priced trail sustenance is nonetheless a substantial expense.Gear: If you’re an experienced backpacker, you have a lot of this already, but a multiple-month journey will inevitably necessitate some new gear and some replacement gear along the way.Home and travel: Look at all of the bills that have to be paid while you’re away, plus the cost of transportation to and from the trail itself.

#Wild dose boots how to#
How to Budget for a PCT Thru-Hikeīelow are the main budget categories to help you plan your PCT thru-hike: When creating a budget, keep in mind that there are additional expenses to account for. These figures include the price of gear plus end-to-end expenses along the trail. The Pacific Crest Trail Association suggests that thru-hiking the trail can cost anywhere from $4,000 to upwards of $8,000. 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. 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).Īsk people how much they spent hiking the PCT and the answers vary. So, how much does it cost to hike the PCT? On average it costs about $6,000 to hike the PCT. One of the most important-and often overlooked-aspects of getting ready for a PCT thru-hike is the decidedly unglamorous task of budgeting.

If you’re contemplating this adventure, then you already know that some serious planning is in order.

For many backpackers, the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) looms majestically before them, at the apex of their life list.
