[pct-l] Cost of hike

[Rod Belshee]

I separated out the town costs (hotels, restaurants) because as you say, they can add up fast. That's part of the big optional additions I proposed depending on style. For example in your case perhaps you wish to take advantage of town faculties at most resupplies, so you might add the additional $3000 for that (given an all - in cost of maybe $2.25 a mile.

I averaged about $1 per mile on all three of my main hikes over this past decade (PCT 04, CDT 07, ECT/AT 13) so it is doable, even today. That's why I suggested it as a base from which to then add for gear and towns. I needed no gear and partook of few towns, so ended very close to the $1 estimate.  But then I'm very frugal so it may be that a higher base is warranted.



-------- Original message --------
From: marmot marmot <marmotwestvanc at hotmail.com>
Date:01/10/2014  1:06 PM  (GMT-08:00)
To: rbelshee <rbelshee at hotmail.com>
Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Cost of hike

It cost $1.00 per mile 25 years ago. Please don't count on it being any where close to that now. Unless you camp or share in town, motels are $100 per night. I can think of at least 10 likely places where you might spend a night in town. Add food,fuel,gear,transport to trail and back. It cost me over a $100 in postage to get through Wash so that I had decent food in my mail drops. I can't hike eating junk. Marmot

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jan 10, 2014, at 11:24 AM, "rbelshee" <rbelshee at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> As you say, it varies so much that a single number is meaningless. But here's a suggestion.
>
> Take your $1 per mile as the base cost.  Then give guidelines for additions for gear and towns that help them self assess how much to add to the base.
>
> If they have the gear ready to go then add nothing, or if they are just short a couple of things add $500, or if they need a full setup add $1000, or if they are a gear-head add $2000.
>
> If they see towns as just places to resupply then add nothing, if they like occasional social time, showers and a bed then add $1000, or if they want such things at most resupply stops then add $3000, and of they see their trek as mostly about the towns and people then add 5000.
>
> This lets you give them an answer from which they can derive a custom answer by just answering two questions.
>
> Anyone wishing to suggest different estimates please chime in.
>
> Steady
> Key West to Halifax
> hikepaddle.blogspot.com
>
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