$25,000 for an unforgettable long experience with a large family... after watching the 1 hour documentary, *definitely worth it.*

Filia can now say that she’s the youngest female to finish the Appalachian trail :,) what an honour

Well dang! $25,040.00 divided by eight people comes out to $3,130.00 per person. That's not so bad, actually.

Hey honey because hiking the freaking Appalachian trail with 6 children including a toddler sounds a little easy let's throw a marathon in....

Awesome video! Thanks for sharing the info. I’m 40 yrs old and have been a bricklayer since I’m 17. I decided 2 yrs ago I was going to bust my a*** doing extra jobs for this journey! I leave March 14 2019! The excitement for this journey was worth every hr spent working. Thanks again Crawford’s! Love you guys!

I wouldn't mind watching an ad to help a great family!

If your kids can walk 2200 miles from Ga to Ma they can do anything in life. There is nonthing that can hold them back. Your kids will be stronger mentally and physically than other kids who just sit in their bedrooms on their phones. There is nonthing stopping them from achieving their dreams. I think you did an awesome job raising them and teaching them life skills.

So happy Altra came through for everyone and donated shoes.

I think that you spent your time far better than most Americans. When you left the trail, you knew your kids far better than the average person could say that they knew their kids after 6 months and that's worth more than anything. I would say you were extremely blessed. In my opinion... had you spent $1000 a day at Disney or some other vacation for 6 months you wouldn't have gotten near the value in the long run. Going to miss these trail updates. Have you thought about the PCT? LOL

What you accomplished as a family is priceless. Thank you for sharing your story🌻🌻

I like this. Thanks for combing back through those bills & sharing so openly.

This breakdown was really simple and easy to follow thank you for that! We have been planning our hike for two years now. We wanted to work on being debt free, and also have the best and lightest equipment which is always expensive. As of yesterday we are 100% with our gear and now we have just over a year to save our trail money. We are only two people so you guys doing it with 8 is just amazing. I hope you guys keep going on adventures and allow us all to come along via video of course lol.

I am 24 years old and have been saving for this thru hike for the past year now. I’ve been keeping up with you guys and you’ve kept me inspired and informed throughout your entire journey

Nice video! I love the honest/candid account of the trip and the little side notes like your "no debt" and Air BNB story - videos like these make endeavors for viewers seem less like a dream, and more like an attainable goal. Plus, the meals, cigars and donations along the way are just downright inspiring!

Your children are so fortunate. Bless your hearts for giving them such wonderful gift. ❤️

I am going thru a hard time in my personal life, facing loss, and needed to distract my mind and look forward, stumbked across your AT video and was impressed and inspired. I am sorry you had negative feedback, and hope it was far outweighed by positive and support. Your family seems lovely, kids well balanced, thoughtful, intelligent and life embracing. Good luck to you.

Thanks for this, and all your videos! After stumbling across one of your videos some time ago, my wife and I decided we’re going to take our two young children backpacking for the first time also! It’s no AT, but a 1,200 mile trek should be interesting nonetheless. Keep up the good work, and keep fighting for your togetherness!!!

My favorite childhood memories are camping with my family. There's nothing more wholesome than that 🥰 You all really amaze me!! Not to mention inspire and motivate me. Thank you so much for sharing your lives with us! Peace,Love,&Light ☮️☯️🕉

WOW❗️. That’s awesome savings! Gotta love the trail angels 😊. Totally worth the money spent. I enjoyed your adventure too and all I did was sit at home and watch you tube 😂. The whole trip was PRICELESS 👏🏻👍🏻❤️

This was a great video guys! Thanks for being so open regarding the finances for the trail. I found it very interesting!

I was glued to your YT video. What a incredible journey. Your family is amazing and really inspired me.

You two are awesome, at the start of the documentary I really was wondering how the children would stand in it (I'm 22 myself), but they were awesome and very positive on the whole experience. I hope you had an amazing experience and will continue to be an amazing family

Wow I’m so happy to find your channel! Your family is amazing! Great job patents! You two are inspirational!

I appreciate your stance on not putting ads on your videos. Not because I mind sitting through ads, but because I like knowing what I'm watching is a wholly authentic creation. Thank you for that.

Wow. What an awesome insight. A whole family on the trail? Biggest respect!

Love love love this breakdown! I'm currently working two full time jobs back to back 6 days a week, changing a lot of my regular spending habits to afford my AT trip next year :)

Thank you for your honesty & blessings for those who assisted you😍

I really appreciate that you share financial vlogs with us. I don’t understand why it is such a taboo subject. If people had lines of communication about money, there may be a lot less debt and worry in the world. Money shouldn’t control us but often we don’t know how to make that happen. Now onto this vlog specifically. I believe you received so much more than you spent from your journey. What your family experienced is priceless. You all have been changed in many different ways. I’m moved to tears at the growth I was able to observe, let alone the effects this trip will have on everyone’s futures. (I’m sure there’s a ton that we don’t know because it’s so personal and ongoing.) You did a great job sharing what you spent and received, so that someone considering this journey would have an idea on how to plan for it. I believe I would be amazed and inspired by a book that shared things like your all’s journaling, trail magic, people you met, what got you through the lows, and how you each feel you’ve grown through your journey. Oh, and what does life look like now? I’m not sure how you could share all of that in vlogs. I believe people would purchase your book. It would be more than a good read. It could bring about change for individuals and families. Okay, I’m done rambling. One question. Is it wrong to stalk KZfaq for new vlogs from you? If it is, I need help!😂

Just subscribed.... the family is amazing and seem very comfortable together. Just saw the hike and was so impressed.

They will always remember it. I've been all over the world with my family. My parents and other family from missionary's to engineers and it is the best parts of my life. You guys did the right thing for your fam! Brilliant. ❤️☮🌷🌺

I really don't mind watching ads for people who are real and who I support. Yall deserve that money as opposed to content farms like 5 minute crafts and buzzfeed. I've always wanted to do a thru hike with my family and yall have definitely inspired me. Good work.

Very helpful information as, I consider my budget for next year. Thank you so much for sharing.

You all ‘ lived it up, ‘ but it wasn’t easy Thank you two for sharing your experience with us. I think you two are great parents. Your children are strong.

I would love to hear from the kids now, a year from now and 5 years from now etc., at the different stages of their lives as to just how much the trip meant to them. The ages of the kids and the different ways it resonated with them would be something worth knowing. Thanks, what a trip!

Nice to see you again : ) I was curious about how much you spent on this trip and appreciate you sharing the details. I agree that having a flexible budget when thru-hiking is a great benefit. I like to say to people that ask me what to plan on spending on an AT thru-hike that money and time are your best friends on the AT. Start as early as you can, enjoy the food and drink in town, and the respite of an air-conditioned hotel room when you need it. It is hard to quantify the benefits of the experience. I don't think we are the same people we were before hiking the AT, at some level (not always perceivable) we are indelibly marked by the experience, the people, the suck and the wonder. In my opinion, you guys rocked the AT. You spent much less than I imagined, comparing my own experience of the trail as someone who spent whatever I felt like, including splitting a $350 room with another person at a ski resort in New Jersey for 2 nights. (The plan was to hang out by the pool and have lots of refreshments but I mostly stayed in bed and watched a marathon showing of season 6 of the Walking Dead). And you did the trail in a pretty amazing 5 months and 9 days. I didn't think a family of 8 would be able to do that. Way to go!

Thanks for sharing your AT budget and finances with us. Ben is a math wizard to keep all those records and make sense out of them. Your family certainly got value out of the $25,000 when compared with visits to theme parks etc. --- in addition you and kids have videos of your unique AT journey that should last a lifetime. I certainly miss seeing your new AT videos every few days. Thanks for sharing a unique part of your family life with us.

Kudos to the no debt! It is a position that is definitely worth the struggle it took getting there. As always - Thanks for sharing the financial side too.

Thank you so much, you're the first people to give me real numbers to what it takes to hike the AT and, as a single person, it gives me so much confidence that I can afford it.

This trip was obviously a huge bonding experience and that alone must have been worth it.

I would LOVE to help out by watching ads. 30 seconds of my life to provide you guys with financial abundance? Totally worth it

Thanks for sharing! Very interesting and informative.

My dad brought up us doing this and I wasn't so sure about it, but after watching your trip I am more confident. I camp on weekends often so I believe this would be fun.

You two are awesome! What a great experience as a family. You rock!

Sounds like a pretty good deal with a family of your size. Great experience to share with memories for life.

The memories you made for your family are priceless.

Great video, very informative. Would love to hear more about you airbnb'ing your home; the improvements you made to your home, and what you did to get it ready, etc. I am thinking about doing that in the future to help pay for a thru hike.

I'm late on seeing these videos but yall have inspired me so much!!! I absolutely love this family ❤❤

You're an amazing family! Thanks for sharing your journey.

Just saw your family on the news. I 100 per cent support you.

I, for one, could not wrap my head around how you accomplished this adventure, with kids. That was one crazy awesome accomplishment! I've watched people's videos who have done it with just the two of them (adults), and you had to be responsible for 5 other people and one of them was a toddler. How crazy was that. I totally commend you!

I wish I would have found your site earlier!!! Thanks for this awesome video!

Thanks for sharing this piece of info.

I couldn’t stop watching and it’s now 2am and I have work in the morning what an awesome family and what an awesome bunch of people you met along the way too 👍👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Awesome Experience! You guys and your family should be an inspiration to ALL FAMILIES to do something like this. Wonderful parents, and children. You made records, and memories that your children will cherish forever... knowing that they have some awesome parents who gave them an adventure of a lifetime! God Bless you...

that's awesome!! i am happy for you guys. flawless experience!!! cant ask for anything better

No one has commented yet ? 109 views. I'll leave an actual comment later when I rewatch this and think about how I want to say what I think. Awesome trip and experience for the family. Thanks for letting us follow along.

just finished watching your documentary.. man you guys rock.. great job

That was very interesting. I had mentally estimated your expenses at $30,000. It's awesome you had the income from renting out your house and the generosity of viewers to offset some of your cost. Great job!

So much information! Thanks

Congratulations! You AND your kids will never forget this...even the little guy!

Love this! Been waiting for this run down! Also loved the ‘homeschool moms/cigars’ comment. 😂😂😂 Glad to know I need to bring my own pipe tobacco. 😏 (Ozark hillbilly here) But really thank you for this. We are planning a smaller through hike for next summer. And will decide after that our thoughts on the AT. We have been obsessively checking for new videos since you finished. 😂

Subscribed! I loved everything from this video. From just the numbers, to the values/ideas that were shared. Thank you

What your family did was Priceless Can’t put a price tag on the memories created and impact you all made ❤️ When I suddenly became disabled (was RN and worked and took care of patients day it happened) my daughter and I decided to simplify our lives It’s all about priorities and I spent their childhood teaching them material items come and go Memories are a lifetime Helped when our world suddenly changed

Love this so much always wanted to do this haven't yet . you guys are awesome

Thanks for the cigar info. Honestly, this video was helpful more from the standpoint of “valuation of values”, if you will, rather than to determine direct cost of a trip in this category, because money is an expression of our values anyway, in a large sense. I appreciate that you guys bother to cover info in the financial category in a vlog that showcases a different way to do family, because money is a part of all that.

yes let's go home mis the house and garden and the kid working out and schooling and dove playing the piano winter is here love you guys love from the high desert 🌰🍓

You guys have inspired me! I cried happy tears.❤

I really think it's important for the average person to consider lost income in the expense of a 5-6 month trip. I applaud those that are able to maintain an income stream at the same time as a trip like this. Wish I could, that's for sure.

Lol, I absolutely love you guys giving your kids allowances while hiking the AT! 😘

GREAT share! I'm bringing 6k but fully intend to spend less than 4k! Love the cheers at the end!

The funny part is... You would have spent that much or more just staying at home... So, in reality, it's not really a big number at all. Glad you could accomplish so many life goals at the same time! Very awesome and encouraging!

I found that food was definitely the most expensive part for me. I'm planning to budget about twice as much next time for eating out and quality resupplies, because I definitely skimped in towns when I should have been eating everything in sight in order to keep my calorie intake on track!

you guys are such an inspiration.

Good info for future hikers. I would like to see you make a photo book for each child so he will be able to sit and show their children’s pictures of their adventures

This is absolutely amazing!!!!

That was a good trip and the money was not the part that makes it !!! The family spirit is going on a lifelong journey!!! Try part of the PCT next!!!! I recommend from the redwoods up through Oregon and I promise the sites will blow you away!!!!

I think getting those shoes were such a gift. The trail definately demands Post Office Box re-supplies like shoes every 2 months or so...etc. Just planning this trip for one adult, is a challange, planning on medical issues the ticks & lime disease... Cuts sprains etc kiddos ....I just can't believe it..how amazing guys are! So courageous & awesome & inspiring!

What’s next for the fam pct ? Or maybe cycling? You guys killed it thanks for carrying me on ur back the whole way too!

Love this! Thank you.

You have had time to share.. So let me share.. You all are awesome!! .. Because of your family I will take the trip in 2021 .. My love and prayers always with you both and your amazing family.. Thanks for the inspiration.. And I'm looking for. A date to go with me being solo

I watched this video early on for some budgeting perspective - it was one of my first videos of yours.... it is so different after experiencing the whole trail with all of you now, and seeing all of things you reference in this video.

If there were more people like you in this beautiful world, it would be a better place. Faith in humanity restored. Also I wish I was your kid when I was growing up. When I was a kid we didn’t do shit!!

Very interesting to find this video after watching your actual trip video. Love the transparency! Love you've put the zero debt emphasis--so important. No health insurance is concerning. One accident/illness (especially out hiking like that) could "easily" cost $500,000 depending. Risky, but your decision. If you're self-employed buying insurance for a family (that's the whole issue with employer-provided health insurance most Americans have), I get it.

I like the new intro...but I suggest that you revise it one more time to "..it was hard for 14 states 161 miles and 1 marathon later we finished it...". BTW - you all ROCK :)

You guys are amazing 🙌

Your family is more important. When you die you only take your memories , nothing else, so as long as your family enjoyed this trip that is more important. I'm going to do the Camino de Santiago in 2 years hope to see you there . I remember my trips more than anything else in my life.

Probably the best investment you could ever make for family, time and shared experiences

Great job on keeping the costs down those #s are really pretty low. One thing you can't put a price on are the life long friendships you've made and the memories logged together as a family so yes money well spent many times over!!!

Very cool video

You are Pioneers of Independent Kids. Free Ranging Thinkers is our future.

I have not done massive trip like this, but I have done some multi day hikes. But one thing I would definitely invest in is good lightweight gear. I think especially for longer trips it will definitely pay off to be comfortable, aka not carry a lot of weight.

Amazing!!!

I think that all kind of trips are nice and ic really enjoy disney but also hiking and bagpacking :) Every Trip is kind of nice

For 13K, 23 weeks of vacation is a bargain. Imagine a 8 day rafting trip on the Colorado River for 2.8k per person.

That's crazy!!! Its so awesome that you guys have no debt!!! I would agree that it was all $$$ well spent!

Amazing trip!

I would love to see a video from you guys talking about money/budgeting!

This is awesome

Sounds good Kyle! If I don’t see ya have an awesome time.

I think you guys have had an amazing experience & the low cost of it all is an added bonus, it was definitely a trip of a lifetime (for now) & the kids & you 2 guys have learnt so much about yourself and each other & that is priceless x