My Actual Appalachian Trail Expenses + Permits, LNT, and a Final Checklist Before You Start

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Күн бұрын

Full Appalachian Trail Basics Video: • How To Hike The Appala...
Appalachian Trail 101 Playlist: • Appalachian Trail 101
00:00 General Finances
00:28 Off Trail Expenses
03:44 Cost Of Gear
05:05 On Trail Expenses
08:30 Gear Replacement
09:07 Transportation
09:52 Full Breakdown Of My On-Trail Expenses
11:13 Permits
13:20 First Day NOBO (Northbound)
14:05 First Day SOBO (Southbound)
15:32 First Day Flip-Flop (Harper's Ferry)
15:49 Leave No Trace
20:47 FINAL CHECKLIST
Permits/Registration
•Pre-registration for AT
atcamp.org/
•Smoky Mountain NP Permit
smokiespermits.nps.gov/index....
•Baxter SP Hiking Permit Information:
baxterstatepark.org/general-i...
•Baxter SP Parking Permit:
baxterstatepark.org/general-i...
Appalachian Trail Gear List: homemadewanderlust.com/whats-i...
New AT Gear List With Similar Budget: lighterpack.com/r/15jins
New AT Gear List With Unlimited Budget: lighterpack.com/r/habnbs
Budget Gear List: lighterpack.com/r/9fvp69
CDT Gear List: lighterpack.com/r/fsmeqf
PCT Gear Lists: Desert - lighterpack.com/r/f84ma7
Sierra Nevada - lighterpack.com/r/b8a8ic
Cascade Range - lighterpack.com/r/40d5gd
AT Gear List: homemadewanderlust.com/whats-i...
New AT Gear List With Similar Budget: lighterpack.com/r/15jins
New AT Gear List With Unlimited Budget: lighterpack.com/r/habnbs
Camino de Santiago Gear List: lighterpack.com/r/4uttxn
Homemade Wanderlust Merch: homemadewanderlust.com/shop/
* I do NOT accept anything from gear companies. I do not do paid reviews. I do not have any sponsors. All opinions are my own, based on my experiences. I do not plan to ever incorporate sponsorships on this channel in an effort to remain 100% impartial. If I were to accept gear in exchange for a review I would disclose it per FTC regulations.
Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate links in my gear lists and possibly in product links in this video description. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases (doesn't only have to be backpacking gear).
Amazon Affiliate Page: www.DixieAZ.com
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Пікірлер: 90

@sleepingdog8525 Жыл бұрын

The downside to dropping car insurance is you could be placed in a high risk insurance when you repurchase car insurance for the same car. You can purchase storage insurance for a car.

@richardross7219 Жыл бұрын

I don't think that $1000 per month is even close to enough now. Food prices have increased by more than 25% so far this year. $1500 to $2000 a month will be more likely to be needed next year. I did trail magic last weekend(I feel that the late hikers get ignored too often). Sodas have almost doubled in price. Good video. Good Luck, Rick

@jmonster0973 Жыл бұрын

@S. C. is that figure just what they/you spent on trail? I'm not a HUGE zero person but I'm not planning on hard core suffering, either lol. I assumed is was abput half food, and half gear exchage/hotels. no?

@tomgip Жыл бұрын

Glad to see you doing a video on expenses. Thanks Dixie. This video (like all of your videos) is (are) very helpful to those of us with LOTS of questions. Your attention to detail and thoroughness is very MUCH appreciated!!

@mogain9258 Жыл бұрын

Before shutting off utilities check to see whether turning them back on would require your house to be inspected. Where I live, if the electricity is shut off for more than a few months, the whole system has to be brought up to current code and inspected, so unless the house is super new it could cost many thousands to get updated.

@dustyc324 Жыл бұрын

Dixie, you're amazing. First experience backpacking is a thru hike of the AT. Successfully.

@NessawiththeRose Жыл бұрын

Always love seeing and hearing from you!

@thomashines8332 Жыл бұрын

Hi Dixie! Do you have a video that you've made similar to this one but PCT instead of AT? I will be hiking the PCT next year, 2024. I've been preparing, and will continue preparing for the next 11 months. I'm terrified 😂 but also wanted to say thank you for conveying the beauty of the trail through your videos. Youre a hero of mine :) I can only hope to have the same on-trail success you've had. The PCT is the biggest dream I've ever dreamed, and has been calling me for years- one way or another I have to try.

@catthebeautyhunter Ай бұрын

I hope you're out there hiking the PCT right now! 🥾❤️

@tw9535 Жыл бұрын

You are very, very good at this. Thanks for the info!

@garywood702 Жыл бұрын

Good stuff! Lots of useful information. Thank you!

@fredirle7173 Жыл бұрын

Thanks Dixie. This been a great series full of great information.

@robertrockwell7581 Жыл бұрын

enjoyed this series very much Dixie. very informative. thanks. stay safe.

@melmicsim Жыл бұрын

You read my mind! I was going to ask if you had such a video. Thank you!! :)

@DCombz Жыл бұрын

I'd love to see if you do this for the other trails, I found this series very enlightening even though I'm considering the PCT instead first.

@fishngolfnguns3689 Жыл бұрын

Love your vids, Dixie! ❤️❤️❤️

@lynnpeters1182 Жыл бұрын

One thing hikers need to know about hiking Katahdin as a Flip-flopper or section hiker, is that places like the AT Lodge will not shuttle you to Baxter unless you have either a parking pass or a lean-to or camping reservation. There were several Flip-floppers at the Lodge that were just planning to be shuttled to Baxter and “wing it”, with no plan on where to stay after summitting, and found out they couldn’t even get to Baxter without it.

@NS-dq2ju Жыл бұрын

Adding to the car insurance comments many insurance providers offer "storage insurance" for cars that are not being used but still need coverage. Quite often the insurance is very cheap.

@Rivionna 9 ай бұрын

THANKYOU, i needed this vid, i had no clue there was permits!!! omg i would have been soooo screwed !

@ronscott7546 Жыл бұрын

Chicky I have been researching AT hikes for about a month now and this is one of the best vids I have seen

@jameshiggins-thomas9617 Жыл бұрын

Registering is really more about checking the numbers planning to start on the date your thinking of, so you can consider adjusting a bit to lower the numbers. The registration itself just lets the folks after you be able to do the same. I did about the peak when I started my trek (Apr 17) and the crush at one of the shelters was overwhelming .. I can't imagine what it was like a few weeks earlier! (I will say, though, the trail runners and the other hikes were phenomenal in doing what was necessary to accommodate everyone). You've said this many times, but the people on trail - thru hikes, section hikers, day hikers - and the townfolk were almost universally kind, considerate, and a joy to spend a little time with. I consider this one of the highlights of the journey.

@danb2490 Жыл бұрын

I get butterflies every time I think about setting that start date in stone. I think I'm doing just that this weekend. Thanks for all of the advice and entertainment over the years.

@jmonster0973 Жыл бұрын

i have wanted to for most of my life. my mom died. I couldn't work, couldn't concentrate even in LIFE. so. here we go. this is my time and I have probably never need it more. I can't afford it. but i DO have the money, if that makes sense. I will be pretty damned close to $0.00 when I get done lol. I don't care. I'm never going to die wishing I had money in the bank. I'll be ashamed of myself if I never did this. do it. I hope to see you on a trail sometime, and you can tell me alllll abput hpw happy you'll be that you completed that hike!🎉

@jmonster0973 Жыл бұрын

also, thinking of starting late Feb-mid March. find me!

@malcolmallen3687 Жыл бұрын

Excellent adventure Dixie! Now consider the Maui, Mt. Haleakala hike... Check it out... I believe it would be a great adventure and a great vlog. 🌴😎🌴

@susangille7255 Жыл бұрын

Wow, wow,wow! I experienced 50 to 60 mph winds one night in Virginia on the Appalachian Trail along with lots of rain. Had a two-man quarterdome that was solid as rock all night and dry. But I also have experienced Stakes being pulled out by winds in the middle of the night and scrambling to restake them. In retrospect, the challenge is just made the adventure sweeter. Loved your Iceland video, Stark but oh so beautiful.

@PInk77W1 Жыл бұрын

I’m from California. My biggest fear is the rain. We go 9-10 months with no rain

@PInk77W1 Жыл бұрын

I love this style of video. Info is so hard to come by.

@AidaJof Жыл бұрын

Videos from Iceland I am really looking forward to

@shawndyer8140 Жыл бұрын

Dixie you are one ofy heroes.

@montyollie Жыл бұрын

For so so so many years, costs were relatively stable. But grocery, gas, hotel, gear costs have skyrocketed in the past year and I wouldn't be surprised if that $1000-per-month ball park everyone's been using for the last several years is now closer to $1300 or $1500 or so. And that's US dollars... for us Canucks it's way way way more because of the exchange rate!

@AHermitTakesaWalk Жыл бұрын

I second that emotion. Food in particular may be 3-4 times more expensive than 5 years ago.

@glennhiner1680 Жыл бұрын

Hey, Dixie! Do you have any plans to do public appearances at any gear retailers? I think you'd be great at it. It would be of benefit to the retailer, I'm sure. And it would allow your followers to meet you in person. Keep up the good work!

@Sassa328 Жыл бұрын

I love your videos! A little piece of feedback - it feels like you’ve been posting a lot lately, and it makes it difficult to get through it all before they get pushed down in our feed. I think a bi-weekly cadence seems to work well with other creators I follow. Just food for thought since I’m sure pumping out these videos are a lot of work :)

@khg624 Жыл бұрын

These are reposts from a longer video she put out a while ago to hold us over while she was in Iceland. Her new videos aren’t as frequent but are just as good! 😊

@worklesstrekmore9091 Жыл бұрын

Hey Dixie, great segments as I am planning an AT trek in 2023. I have struggled with backpacks and curious if after using the Atom, is it your new fav and if not which would you recommend?

@Alex-bt9uu Жыл бұрын

Is this info from an older video? The equipment cost estimate seems a bit on the low end. 🤔 Great information as always!

@mosquitoeslovejohn Жыл бұрын

Go Dixie! You are the KZfaq Queen. 😃😃👍👍😎😎

@pevans492 Жыл бұрын

I think that the $1000 a month or 5-7 thousand doesn't take into account the price increase of the cost of food over the last few years. Food being such a big on trail expense. I think we are now in 1250 a month territory or 6-9ish grand for most people. Been wondering when the ATC will update it's numbers.

@mosquitoeslovejohn Жыл бұрын

@@pevans492 Wowzer!

@HanzShaoPing Жыл бұрын

It's time to start thinking of becoming a double, triple crown hiker Dixie. :-)

@Superduper666 Жыл бұрын

On the AT a few years ago we had a camp stove and sleeping bag go missing. The sleeping bag was the worst. I had to sleep in garbage bags and under tyvek in 50-60° rainy weather. I couldn't afford another bag so we left the AT early (was only a section hike but still).

@heatherperry5621 Жыл бұрын

curious do you think you left it by accident? wondering how it could go missing.

@taylor-1147 Жыл бұрын

Would you do the AT again? I would love to do the AT but would like to do it with someone. Thanks for the videos!

@tylernovak2676 Жыл бұрын

I saw your pct and cdt full documentary hikes. Do you have one for the AT? I can’t find one. Love them

@jhosk Жыл бұрын

You could put all this in a book

@VanessaRaquel1309 Жыл бұрын

She has already written a book called "take a thru hike"

@rocketta.chique5761 Жыл бұрын

@@VanessaRaquel1309 she should write another! About her life and what she’s learned from her adventures on the trail. Plus you can make decent money from self publishing a book (just a thought Dixie!)

@chrisholmes5765 Жыл бұрын

Hey Duxie, I noticed in your breakdown you didn't have anything allocated for shuttles or permits. I'd guess a good chunk of the untracked cash went towards that? If I'm not mistaken, you already made a video specifically about the neccessary permits so it's covered in there.

@Cherry_Gingham Жыл бұрын

@@chrisholmes5765 there is a permit section linked in this video, kzfaq.info/get/bejne/e79ydaiTnbawY4U.html

@pungo147 Жыл бұрын

Dixie - Do you have any plans for creating a PCT and/or CDT trail basics video?

@CampfireJubilee Жыл бұрын

Listen to Dixie's advice :). That's my advice. But also check out all the other advice that you can... check out other You Tube Channels from past AT or other trail hikers, ask friends who hike, etc. Watch gear reviews. See how everyone else has done things and pick up the advice that seems like a good idea for you from everywhere... then make it your own.

@Alias465 Жыл бұрын

I love the shirt you wear -how do i get one?

@adamrogers3417 Жыл бұрын

Thank you things I did not know. 2024

@michaelleggieri7135 Жыл бұрын

I have bring my dachshund with me on 2023 through hike. What can I do with her when I reach Baxter State Park we're dogs are not allowed. I have Smokey Mountain National Park covered.

@cptclown2110 Жыл бұрын

Are you going to consider ever through hiking the AT again?

@jmcnallyua Жыл бұрын

I remember when I was on the Appalachian trail in June right outside of Harpers ferry at the camp spots people took and filmed the fire pits with burnt beer cans and garbage so please people if you're going to carry beer in carry the empty cans back out with you please don't fill the fire pit with your beer cans and try to burn them it is just wrong people come to the Appalachian trail to hike it and enjoy being in nature and I have to see people's disgusting garbage so carry your garbage out people and respect other hikers who are hiking the trail because we are all out there to enjoy being in nature and hiking I hope to be able to be back on the Appalachian trail in 2023

@spiceywolfey Жыл бұрын

Do you think you'll ever hike the AT again?

@RiDankulous Жыл бұрын

Wow you are pretty wise for being, is it 25 years old I would guess? You would make a good business manager.

@tinacolecampbell Жыл бұрын

♥️

@allenarquette158 Жыл бұрын

And call it Dixie Appalachian trail hike the do's and don'ts

@raa5938 Жыл бұрын

Is early March too early to start PCT thru hike? Old and hike slow 2.5/3.0 mph

@PInk77W1 Жыл бұрын

I have no experience But I’ve watched videos of people doing it in March

@pclarin Жыл бұрын

Dropping liability insurance on a vehicle is a really bad idea. If your car gets used authorized or is stolen and runs over someone or some thing you’ll be on the hook personally for those damages. Keep the liability and increase those limits!

@EveKoivulan Жыл бұрын

I’m *never going to do such thing but Man this is interesting stuff nevertheless! *I’m European and I already feel like I was there after watchin all these vids by Dixie😂

@tvtoms Жыл бұрын

Man I never thought about it, but I think the budget for on-trail would be higher than it is when I am at home! haha. At least if the estimate holds true for me, which I guess it might not. Question, have you known of a hiker(s) using their EBT / SNAP card for resupplying or is that topic never come up? I've been more and more curious since more and more people qualify.

@khg624 Жыл бұрын

If you make so little to qualify for food stamps, you probably shouldn’t be hiking the AT. Seems like you wouldn’t be able to afford the gear just to begin if you can’t afford to feed your children.

@tvtoms Жыл бұрын

@@khg624 Those exact sentiments literally could apply to every hiker you see. They probably shouldn't be hiking the AT. Seems like they wouldn't be able to afford it as you try to feed your kids. Literally. Every. Hiker.

@glorgau Жыл бұрын

EBT / SNAP are handouts from other people's taxes. Show some morals by contributing and not being a leach. Probably also the same type of person that stocks up from trail magic because "free stuff".

@mogain9258 Жыл бұрын

Well, technically many hikers are jobless and homeless while on a thruhike, so they may honestly qualify for EBT. Also, many states have eliminated the asset test for SNAP, so you could have savings. I haven't heard of anyone doing this, but I can imagine how it might be appropriate for some people in certain situations. For example, someone who just got out of the army, really feels called to hike, has a bit of savings but could use a little help making it work. Or, a retiree on a small social security check.

@tvtoms Жыл бұрын

@@mogain9258 You could never guess I'm 100% disabled unless we hung out together for a little while. Just no way to tell at all until I'm pausing to take extra breaths or stopping to rest briefly during a walk. Then you might ask and I might say yeah my heart is effed up and I'm actually disabled so I can't exert like you can and such. No matter where I am or what I'm doing, it's appropriate for me to use my EBT card.

@MrAvidOutdoorsman Жыл бұрын

Taxes pay for public parks. I guess i can understand to sign in so in case ya get in trouble they might be able to find you, but to charge more money for " admission" is flat out,BS. Where do these park humans get the idea to re-tax hikers. I swear "authoritarian humans make me sick, this is all our home to wander freely without paying money.

@MRBenchwork 10 ай бұрын

I actually disagree with the Big 3 idea. Yes you need to figure out your tent and sleeping system early but I personally think there's some logic to buying your backpack last so you buy the right size. Getting a bag that's ultimately too big is just going to have you lugging around extra bag weight you don't need and inevitably you'll fill that bag with junk you don't actually need.

@shawndyer8140 Жыл бұрын

On Ohio no insurance loose your license.

@allenarquette158 Жыл бұрын

You could you could write a book and put everything in it

@VanessaRaquel1309 Жыл бұрын

She has already written a book. It's called "take a thru hike"

@jazziered142 Жыл бұрын

I love dogs, I don't like dogs I don't know to approach me without any kind of proper restraint. I am a bike rider, and it can get very scary, very fast.

@nickhikesinthewoods6150 Жыл бұрын

Man that is expensive to hike that whole trail

@PInk77W1 Жыл бұрын

5 months is not cheap

@glorgau Жыл бұрын

I just put it all on my visa card. What's to worry about?

@Andy-Mesa Жыл бұрын

Your expenses in 2015 mean nothing for a trip in 2023.

@HomemadeWanderlust Жыл бұрын

Not sure what you want me to do about that

@nautblue4284 Жыл бұрын

Hiking permits go against the free travel clause in the US Constitution.

@PInk77W1 Жыл бұрын

You’re not required to hike thru permitted areas

@BackwardsKnees Жыл бұрын

you really should've pushed the point that a lot of the beginning of this video is pretty bad in terms of actual financial advice and can lead to massive costs down the road (leasing property, cars, dropping insurance, delaying loan payments, etc)