How I Saved Money for My Hike

Besides hypothermia, bears, Lyme disease, and sprained ankles, one of a thru hiker’s biggest concerns is money. Running out of funds is a big reason many people end up having to cut their thru hikes short. If you ask former thru hikers how much to budget, the answers will be all over the map (pun intended?). That said, from what I’ve read it sounds like $1,000 per month is a good estimate. That means $4,000-$6,000 for a 4-6 month hike.  

Where does the money go? Food takes up a fair chunk of the budget. Thru hikers consume a massive amount of calories to fuel their bodies during the ~2,200 mile trek. Lodging, gear replacement, shuttles, and other smaller expenses make up the rest. In my case, I also need to factor in my car and health insurance and my monthly storage unit fees. I also wanted to save up enough money to live comfortably for a few months while I search for a job after I finish the trail. So how did I do it? Here a few ways I saved or earned money to fund my trip.
 

Moving in with the ‘Rents

This was a huge one. I am fortunate in that I moved back to my home town a few years ago and have a great relationship with my family. When my apartment lease expired, I put my stuff in a storage unit and moved back in with my parents. When I leave for the trail in March, I will have lived with them for about ten months. That’s about $10,000 saved that I would have been dumping into rent. Plus, I had the added perk of getting to spend some extra time with my family before I’m MIA for six months. Thanks, Mom and Dad!
 

Selling My Stuff on eBay

This wasn’t a huge source of income, but every dollar counts. It also served double duty since I wanted to get rid of stuff I didn’t need before moving out of my apartment. Most of the funds raised from my eBay sales went to buying my gear. Buying gear is so addicting…
 

Using Credit Card Rewards Points

I try to use my credit card for purchases whenever possible so that I can rack up rewards points. Most of the time, I forget I have these points so they really stack up! Last year, I was able to get $1,000 worth of Visa gift cards using my points. I used half for a trip to Hawaii and half to buy yet more gear. It’s like free money!

I also signed up for an REI Visa card. I received a gift card for signing up and get a bigger dividend as a cardholder.
 

Shopping Sales

Because I decided to do a 2014 thru hike back in the summer of 2012, I had plenty of time to research purchases and search for good deals (shopping online is key here). I created a spreadsheet of all my purchases and marked how much I saved on each item. Also, because I started planning so early, I had two Christmases and two birthdays on which I could ask for gear as gifts. That helped me save money as well and allowed my family to feel like they were contributing to my journey.  

Because I was able to save up a good chunk of change for my hike, I’ve had the luxury during these past few weeks of swapping out prior purchases with newer, lighter weight options. I plan to sell my “old” gear and make some of that money back. Once I had all of my gear purchased and put it onto my back, I realized I wanted to shave another pound or two off of my base weight. I’ve recently replaced my puffy jacket, rain jacket, cookpot/mug, and sleeping pad. Altogether, that helped me shave approximately two pounds (or about 10%) from my base weight. Not too shabby!

An AT Reading List

Once I decided to dive head first into this crazy journey, I began reading books about the AT pretty voraciously. I also read a ton of online trail journals, especially a woman named Certain's. For those of you interested in getting to know more about the Appalachian Trail and some of the people who have hiked it, here is a list of the books I've read so far:

• 300 Zeros by Dennis Blanchard
• A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
• Appalachian Trials by Zach Davis
• AWOL on the Appalachian Trail by David Miller (this guy wrote the most popular guide book for AT thru hikers and just happens to be rehiking with the Class of 2014!)
• Barefoot Sisters – Southbound by Lucy Letcher and Susan Letcher
• Barefoot Sisters – Walking Home by Lucy Letcher and Susan Letcher
• Becoming Odyssa by Jennifer Pharr Davis
• Footpath My Ass! by Terry Croteau
• How to Hike the AT by Michelle Ray
• Skywalker – Close Encounters on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Walker
• Walking with Spring by Earl Schaffer (the first AT thru hiker)
• Wild by Cheryl Strayed (this one is about the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), but it's still a good read)

I have a few more on my list, but I don't think I'll have time to read them before I set foot on the trail. I love reading and would be happy to take suggestions on any others you think I should get my hands on! If you've read any of these books, let me know what you thought!

Santa was Good to Me!

Happy New Year! I hope you all enjoyed time with family and friends. Santa came to visit and he brought me just the right stuff to round out my gear! I'm so thankful for all of my gifts and the thoughtfulness of the people that gave them to me. Here's a rundown of what I got.

PossumDown Socks - I hear these are great, lightweight options for keeping toes toasty at night.

Black Rock Down Beanie - Expensive for a hat, but I think it will keep me really warm. I had to order a size large since I have a ginormous head.

Outdoor Research Revel Shell Mitts - These will go over my fleece gloves to keep my hands dry when it's raining.

Exofficio Give-N-Go Lacy - Might not bring these on the trail since I already have matching wool bra and panty sets, but I will absolutely use these on other outings or even day to day. I've heard great things about this brand.

Gu Energy Gel - My sister threw these into the cute little gift box she made for me. She filled the box with all sorts of hiking gear and decorated the outside with hiking-related magazine clippings. The Gu will be great on my training hikes and runs!

MSR Ground Hog Stakes - I only asked for two of these so I could compare them to the stakes that came with my Hubba tent. The included stakes weigh half as much as the Groundhogs, so I think I'll be leaving these behind. Great to have back home as backup though.

pStyle - Allows females to pee in the woods without taking off their pants. When my sister ordered this for me, she thought it was a drinking cup. She was horrified when she found out what it actually was.

Appalachian Trail Passport - This is new for 2014. Several hostels and other landmarks along the trail will stamp your passport when you visit. It will be a great keepsake!

Thermarest Patch Kit - Just in case I spring a leak!

Mini photo album of family and pets - My sister had to look high and low to find this little book. I guess they are a thing of the past now that everyone has photos on their phones. Love it and will definitely be carrying it with me!

Inspirational bracelet - My mom surprised me with this gift and a sweet card. I won't be wearing this on the trail because I don't want to lose it, but I'll definitely be wearing it before and after my hike. It says "She believed she could, so she did." I love that quote!

The Appalachian Trail by National Geographic - My sister-in-law found this old book (it was published in 1978) and bought it for me. It's so cool! It has some fantastic quotes and great pictures. My goal is to finish reading it before I leave for Atlanta in 10 weeks.

I hope I didn't forget anything! I got so many great gifts! Thanks again to everyone. I'll definitely be thinking of each of you every time I use these items (well, maybe not the pStyle).

The AT in the WSJ

This weekend, The Wall Street Journal posted a story about thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. I especially love the end of the piece when he reflects back on what he has learned. I can't wait to share my own story!

By Gary Miller       

Dec. 8, 2013 4:32 p.m. ET

In the Oct. 28 issue of Encore, we profiled Gary Miller, a retired photojournalist who is hiking the 2,200-mile-long Appalachian Trail. That piece drew a number of reader emails and questions. So we asked Mr. Miller to elaborate on his experiences—and how others can tackle (as most hikers call it) the A.T.

On March 30, my 65th birthday, I began hiking the Appalachian Trail at Springer Mountain, Ga. My purpose was to reinvigorate my life. (I had let my goals atrophy to working, eating and watching television.) Each day on the trail, though, has its own, smaller purpose: to hike (depending on your abilities) 10 to 20 miles safely and comfortably while enjoying one of the richest and most diverse natural environments on earth.

Here's how to do that—and why walking the A.T. is actually two journeys in one.

 

Getting Ready

Each year, thousands of individuals set out to walk from Georgia to Maine (or the reverse). Some, known as "thru-hikers," stride from end to end in as little as five months. But most people, especially those age 50-plus, are "section hikers" and break the journey into more manageable chunks: two weeks here, a month there. As the saying goes: It is about the smiles, not the miles.

       

                                                          

The author at 4,263 feet atop Snowbird Mountain in Tennessee Gary Miller

Of course, a hike of this nature requires a good deal of preparation. I spent a few hours each week walking my neighborhood streets in Yonkers, N.Y., which fortunately are steep and hilly; looking back, I should have spent more—at least four hours a day, six days a week, for two months—and carried a 35-pound pack while doing so.

Gear, including a tent, pack, sleeping bag and stove, cost about $1,600. I could have been more frugal, but at this age comfort and reliability are worth the added investment. For example, my tent, the Lunar Solo, is a tarp tent from Six Moons Design and cost $215. It was worth every penny. It weighed a mere 23 ounces, rolled up to the size of a small towel, and kept me warm and dry through many cold and rainy nights.

I also packed about $1,000 of nonperishable food items—packages of tuna and salmon, oatmeal, GORP ("good ol' raisins and peanuts," in one of many versions), rice pilaf, ramen noodles and instant mashed potatoes, to name a few—into boxes, which my wife mailed every 10 days or so to post offices in small towns along the route.

 

Rules of the Road

As for the hiking itself, let me offer a number of observations.

PACE: Young hikers can bolt out of the starting gate and do 20 to 25 miles a day, but they don't see or enjoy much along the way. Aim instead for 5 to 10 miles a day for the first few weeks; after your legs and muscles get stronger, shoot for about 10 to 15 miles a day. This way you can stop to smell the roses (or rhododendrons), take pictures and chat with fellow hikers. I met a few hikers in their mid to late 70s who strongly advised walking 8 to 10 miles a day and no more.

       

                                                        

Heading to a shelter near Roan Mountain, Tenn. Gary Miller

                 

LODGING: You can sleep in your tent or in one of the hundreds of lean-tos along the trail. These are three-sided shelters that accommodate eight to 20 hikers, often with picnic tables and cooking areas. They almost always have privies and a water supply, and are spaced a comfortable day's walk apart. So in theory, you could hike from Georgia to Maine without ever sleeping in a tent.

Or, you can spend every third night in a hostel. These are privately owned and operated and can be anything from a barn with bunk beds ($15 a night) to bed-and-breakfast accommodations ($75 to $150). Some are a stone's throw from the trail, while others require hitching or taxiing a few miles.

FOOD AND WATER: Assuming you plan for a mix of trail food and town food, you will end up carrying, on average, three to six days' worth of food, or about 6 to 12 pounds. You need to consume at least 6 quarts of water a day, which means—with stops to refill (there are hundreds of water sources along the way)—you will average carrying at least 2 quarts, or 4 pounds.

SAFETY: Many people ask: Is hiking through the middle of nowhere safe? What do you do if you need help? Navigating the A.T. is probably safer than walking down Main Street in most cities. Help is invariably close at hand because so many hikers use the trail. It was rare that I would go longer than a few hours without seeing another hiker. Oddly, in one day I participated in the rescue of two hikers who needed medical attention. (One was dehydrated; one had heart problems.) But that seemed a bit like lightning striking twice.

     

                                                          

With trail acquaintances descending into Hot Springs, N.C. Gary Miller

                 

BACKPACKS: In addition to food and water, you probably will carry a tent, sleeping bag, cooking gear, toiletries, cellphone and miscellaneous items. This brings your total pack weight to 30 to 40 pounds. For young hikers, this isn't a problem. For those of us with, ahem, a few miles under our belts, it is important to keep that number as low as possible.

This means learning about lightweight packing techniques and products. (You can start with the resources listed in the accompany graphic.) Yes, such gear is more expensive, but if you can reduce pack weight by 5 to 10 pounds, you can hike farther, in less pain, and in the end enjoy the journey more.

 

The Payoff

There are hundreds of moments forever etched in my heart and soul. Simple things like having to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night but standing, transfixed, at the galaxies twinkling above. Terrifying moments like hiking in a thunderstorm, lightning striking so close you smell the ozone, thunder so loud you jump a foot off the ground, water tearing at your legs in a torrential fury. Getting up at 4 a.m. to make a 25-mile day, only to cross the top of a mountain at sunrise with George Harrison singing "Here Comes the Sun" (I kid you not!) on my iPhone. Meeting scores of fascinating people: ministers, nurses, lawyers, students, housewives, fishermen, artists, writers and on and on.

        

                        

--

At the 200-mile mark (Clingmans Dome, on the Tennessee/North Carolina border), the daughter of my best friend, Gary, posed a most important question during dinner at their house.

"What do you think about when you hike?" Jessica asked.

The opportunity for self-reflection was a constant, satisfying dividend of the trip—and my main reason for recommending it to you. In my case, this meant thinking about family, friends, my father's suicide, divorce, children, a subsequent marriage to a wonderful woman and companion for 30 years, writing a book, taking more pictures, teaching new classes and staying in shape, just to name a few.

"You don't know what kind of person will emerge at the end of this hike," cautioned my friend and soul mate, Carolyn, an artist and fellow sailor. "Take good notes," she encouraged, "but make sure you concentrate on the inner journey rather than on the usual 'did-this-and-went-there' diary details."

She was so right.

Mr. Miller is a retired photojournalist and writer in New York. Email: encore@wsj.com.

Getting Fit(ted)

I've been working with my trainer (i.e. he has been killing me) for the past few months to get ready for my hike. The other day, he asked me if I had had my backpack properly fitted. When I told him I hadn't, he hooked me up with another trainer that worked at Whole Earth Provision Co. for three years. Score!

I brought my fully-loaded (minus food, water, and fuel) Osprey Aura 65 pack to Lifetime Fitness and Andrew checked it out for me. I'm sooooo glad he saw me coming and met me as soon as I got upstairs. I felt like a doofus wearing jeans and carrying a huge backpack into a gym. Since I bought my pack online (and scored a 20% off coupon!) I was just kind of guessing on size and fit. Apparently I guessed pretty well because he only made a few small adjustments. One of the other trainers that was watching us said, "That pack's as big as you are!" Another said, "Is your entire house in there?" To which I responded, "Soon it will be!"

I'm so glad I was able to get fitted BEFORE I set off on my trip. I was planning on just waiting until I got to Neel's Gap, but this was so much better. After I open my Christmas gifts in a few weeks, I'll have everything I need to hit the trail besides a more rugged/waterproof point-and-shoot camera. I think it's about time to book that plane ticket to Atlanta! Woohoo!

The Appalachian Trail at a Glance

I stole this from Paul Magnanti's blog. It's a quick and dirty rundown of the AT. Thought it might be helpful to those of you following my journey.

• Administered by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
• Under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service
• Is approx 2175 miles long
• Southern terminus is at Springer Mtn, GA
• Northern Terminus is at Katahdin in Baxter State Park, ME
• Goes through 14 states, 6 National Parks and 8 National Forests
• Lowest point is 124 ft at Bear Mtn, NY….highest point is 6643′ at Clingman’s Dome in the Smokeys
• Goes above treeline in Vermont (with a quick side trip), New Hampshire and Maine
• Well marked with a series of white blazes; side trails are marked with blue blazes
• Take most hikers 5-7 months to hike the trail
• An average thru-hike costs ~$1000 per month.
• Other facts can be found here
• Walking all or part of the trail is a wonderful experience you will not forget!

Tomorrow is Never Guaranteed

I'm subscribed to blog updates from a girl that goes by Acorn. Today she sent out an announcement saying she was going to tackle the Florida Trail in January. She's already hiked the AT. I LOVED how she summed up why she wants to keep hiking. I couldn't have said it better, so I wanted to quote her here:

"I don’t want to be sixty years old, driving down a highway in an RV, rushing to see the world before my time runs out. Why not take life for everything it has to offer... now? Tomorrow is never guaranteed. Fill your life with photographs, memories, and experiences before it's too late. Push the boundaries."

Happy trails, Acorn!