cost for the appalachian trail
The type of equipment needed for this trip covers a wide range... Most of the equipment needs to be purchased, most of it i have owned at one time or another in my life but disposed of it because the hiking boots were worn out, the clothes have not fit for 20 years, backpacks no longer require an aluminum frame, canteens replaced by bladders, most of the equipment weighs pounds less than what has been teplaced with time, knowledge, technology... Many communities have business to support the hikers, places to sleep, shower, resupply... Outdoor equipment stores have located along the AT, technology allows people such as van drivers, taxies, pizza places... to advertise on the web.... Tentative start day is 31 January 2017 plus or minus 2 weeks. This date was selected because the trip takes 5-7 months... Should I make the trip in one attempt i would like to be done by 31 July 2017 so I am availiable to return to Campbellsville Kentucky to work another year at Amazon.
For the first two weeks at Amazon I have averaged 10 miles each shift. This mileage will increase as orders pick up. I have elected to join a local gym for 3 months to work on cardio and leg strength... Cost of gym is not part of the cost of the trip...
Started the acquasition of equipment with maps... Purchased an online version, a hard copy and a book covering the complete trail. Maps list the towns along the trail, post offices, shelters, location of water etc. No need to reinvent the wheel, this trip has been completed by plenty of others who are willing to share some information.
initially I will require cold weather gear, a four season tent, sleeping bag good for 0 degrees, an additional layer or two of clothing. The cold weather requires an additional 1/2 pound food per day... The backpack arrives tomorrow, September 7th... I will continue to research equipment to fill the pack...
Bulk food will be placed onthe list, I have started trying various foods... Rice, soups, oatmeal... Etc. as January approaches drop boxes will be packed to be mailed to addresses/post offices prior to my arrival there... These boxes will contain enough food to sustain me from one drop location to the next.... Roughly a 7 day supply... That is 14-21 pounds of food depending on weather and my planning.... My brother has volunteered to handle shipping of pre addressed boxes...
I have screened what seems like hundreds of backpacks, water filtration systems, tents, sleeping bags etc... Initially cost and brand were not considered, some items such as backpacks ended up being narrowed to a particular brand because of recommendations and customer reviews... Reviews, meeting the possibility of weather colder or wetter than average... all were taken into consideration... I decided on a four season sleeping bag and tent even though I do believe I could have settled for a three season one by using a sleeping bag liner and warm clothing to sleep in... Should weight become an issue I may switch to three season around the half way point...
MAPS. $149.97
GPS
APPALACHIAN TRAIL GUIDE. 9.85
BACKPACK OSPREY AETHER 70/LARGE 201.99
OSPREY BACKPACK RAIN COVER 43.41
OSPREY DAYPACK 37.50
HIKER HUNGER TREKKING POLES 69.99
CASIO WATCH (doubt the watch is really needed but at times on the Southern Tier I wondered about temperture and elevation) COMPASS/BAROMETER/ALTIMETER 162.03
KOTTLE LITER OUTDOOR HYDRATION BLADDER 16.99 (need to for filtration of water from one to the other)
SURVIVOR PARACORD BRACELET (FOR EMERGENCY) 9.99
ZIPPER PULLS, 12 each 6.99
while on the Southern Tier trip several of the zipper pulls broke on the equipment I had, used 550 cord to replace them
OSPREY ULTRALIGHT 3-6-12 dry sacks
these bags are square when packed, should allow for better use of space.
12.99
16.00
19.95
the last adventure I used water proof ones, while I was very happy with them the additional weight is just to much. I also had great success with heavy duty zip lock bags to store clothing in, heavy duty because of the packing and unpacking for weeks on end... The zip lock bags did last me for the 72 day trip.
SEA TO SUMMIT MOSQUITO HEAD NET WITH INSECT SHIELD 14.99
TOTAL SO FAR. (Estimated) $772.64
SEA TO SUMMIT TRAVELING LIGHT TOILETRY BAG. $24.95
OUTDOOR VITALS SUMMIT DOWN SLEEPING BAG $147.98
LE HEADLAMP. $7.99
SEA TO SUMMIT 100% PREMIUM SLEEPING BAG LINER. $64.95
INNO WATERPROOFSNOWPROOF OUTDOOR HIKING WALKING GAITERS. $9.99
TIMBERLAND 15130 CHOCURUA TRAIL BOOT $92.75
COLUMBIA MEN'S BORA BORA BOONEY II SUN HAT. 30.00
NITE IZE 50 FT CORD $11.05
SEA TO SUMMIT NYLON TARP-PONCHO $59.95
SAWYER SP128 MINI WATER FILTRATIONSYSTEM
$19.97
MILITARY OUTDOOR FIELD JACKET LINER $13.99
ALPS MOUNTAINEERING MYSTIQUE 15 TENT $117.07
TESLA SHORTS X 4. $51.92
TESLA THERMALS X 3. $50.94
COLUMBIA SILVER RIDGE CONVERTIBLE PANTS X 3 $152.85
MERINO WOOL HIKER SOCKS $23.95
TESLA BASELAYER THERMALS $16.98
TESLA COOL DRY BASELAYER X2 $31.96
3 PAIR HIKER SOCKS $25.00
COLUMVIA DOWN JACKET $139.96
BENZOIN COMPOUND $12.40
PREWRAP TAPE $4.99
MOLESKIN $6.83
GSICUP/POT $19.49
SAWYER PRODUCTS SP131 POINT ONE WATER FILTER $39.99
HIGHROCJ FOLDING CAMP STOVE WINDSCREEN $8.45
LIBERTY MOUNTAIN WEST COOK STOVE $27.47
YRANGIA FUEL BOTTLE $16.91
COOKWARE MALLONE $18.95
STEEL UTENSILS. $3.99
CAMP BOWL. COLLAPSIBLE $15.95
TENTLAB TROWEL $19.95
NEW TOTAL $2,101.17