I start hiking the 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail on March 30th, 2022, and this post is dedicated to breaking down my financial preparation and budget for this sabbatical. Stay tuned as I post updates and any practical tips that I learn along the way. You can also see pictures and weekly updates via the @readytoroth instagram account.
But first…
What is a Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hike?
The Pacific Crest Trail is a 2,650 mile national scenic trail that runs from Mexico to Canada. It goes through all of California, Oregon, and Washington, and ends just over the Canada border. A thru-hike is when you hike a trail from end to end, and this is what I’ll be doing starting in Campo, California on March 30th!
I’m hiking this trail with my girlfriend Raechel, and two close friends Rebecca and Brad. We attempted to do this in 2020 but ended up postponing our trip due to Covid. Here’s an intro video we made back in 2020 that provides more information about our group and the trip.
How does it work?
To complete a hike like the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), there is a lot of logistical prep involved. First, you need to purchase the main gear and clothing that you will use as you hike. As you pass through towns along the trail, you buy food and any additional gear that you may need along the way. When you can’t find good food options in towns, you may need to send yourself resupply boxes, which you prepare ahead of time before you start hiking.
There a ton of backpacking websites like The Trek that break down the specifics of thru-hiking, but completing a hike like this involves backpacking with about a week’s worth of supplies at a time, and doing that for multiply months until you complete the entire trail.
My Budget
For this sabbatical, my last day of employment was March 11th, 2022 and I am planning to be out of the workforce for at least 6 months as I hike. Over the last 2 years I have been acquiring gear and saving up the money that I will use to sustain myself during the hike and after until I am working again. Below is the breakdown of my assumptions and anticipated expenses.
Assumptions
For this particular trail, most people hike it within 4-6 months. I planned for about 160 days (5.3 months) worth of hiking-specific expenses. With this in mind, I have prepared my budget to cover 6 months worth of expenses which includes pre-hike preparation, the hike itself, and any post-hike expenses.
Expense Categories
There are a few main expense categories that I planned for:
- Recurring bills and travel insurance – like cell phone, student loans, storage unit, and Spotify. It also includes a travel insurance policy that covers emergency medical situations.
- Gear costs – this includes everything I’ll need to complete the hike like a tent, sleeping bag, and clothes.
- Backpacking food – this is the food that I will eat while I’m actually hiking.
- Town food – for restaurants while taking breaks in towns.
- Town lodging – this includes money for hotels and hostels when in towns.
- Transportation – for any transportation needed to get to towns as well as a plane ticket to fly home after the trail.
Estimated Expense Breakdown:
| Recurring Bills and Insurance: | $2,575 |
| Food Costs: (160 days x $20 per day) | $3,200 |
| Town Lodging (approx 17 days): | $520 |
| Town Food (approx 17 days): | $580 |
| Transportation: | $1,000 |
| Gear Costs: | $2,500 |
Total Anticipated Expenses: $10,375
As I continue through this journey I’ll update my expense breakdown to reflect my actual trail and town costs. Thanks for following along on this journey and I’ll talk to you from the trail!
