#114 | How to Afford a Thru-Hike

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are bringing you another advice based show.  Today's episode is all about how to afford a thru-hike, which includes overall tips for how to budget, how much to budget, what items you can skimp on, what items you should splurge on, tools for automating the process, and much more.    We wrap the show with a triple crown of items that we love for less than $25, a wild story about a multi-day grizzly bear attack, and we discuss whether a calendar year triple crown is anti-thetical to the thru-hiking ethos.  

QOTD: How long is the lifespan of a fly/mosquito? And why aren’t dead ones all over the ground? 

BPR is doing a live podcast at Hop Haus in Fitchburg, Wisconsin from 6:00pm - 8:00pm on Friday, October 15.

How to Afford a Thru-Hike ebook by Kelly Floro

Tip #1 (Chaunce): Use apps that set aside money for you.

Apps mentioned (not sponsored):

• Qapital
• Betterment 
• Acorns
• Wealthfront

Tip #2 (Zach): Know what gear to splurge on.

Specifically:

• Footwear
• Shelter
• Sleeping bag/quilt

Tip #3 (Elise): Leverage the Financial Independence community (and finding your Coast FI number for peace of mind).

Some FI resources:

• The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins
• Quit Like A Millionaire by Kristy Shen and Bryce Leung
• The Choose FI podcast 
• MoneywithKatie on Instagram
• Coast FI caclulator

 

Tip #4 (Chaunce): Budget smart while you’re actually on trail. 

Tip #5 (Zach): Know where to skimp on gear.

Specifically: 

• Headlamp
• Base layer
• Rain gear
• Water filter
• Sunglasses
• And more

 

Tip #6 (Elise): Figure out how much your life actually costs, then figure out how to cut further or earn more. 

Tip #7 (Chaunce): Take on a side job where all earnings are specifically for thru-hiking.

Some ideas:

• Uber/Lyft
• Instacart
• Rover

 

Tip #8 (Zach): Decide how much you think your thru-hike will cost, then add 20%.

Tipe #9 (Elise): Surround yourself with people who either support your goals or have similar ones.

SEGMENTS Trek Propaganda 

Colleen Goldhorn’s Posts

Triple Crown of things to spend $25 on

Gross or Not Gross

• Zach being barefoot on an airplane

Mail Bag

Cinnamon Court 

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A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Andrew, Jason Lawrence, Christopher Marshburn, Sawyer Products, Brad and Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, and Patrick Cianciolo.

A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Cynthia Voth, Brandon Spilker, Emily Brown, Mitchell, Dcnerdlet, Jeff LaFranier, Peter Ellenberg, Jacob Northrup, Peter Leven, TraskVT, Lindsay Sparks, Liz Seger and Lisa Douglas.