The 2024 Pacific Crest Trail hiker survey is out, and its data will interest long-distance backpackers. Halfway Anywhere, a blog run by long-distance athlete Tyler Fox, compiles the annual survey (now in its 11th year). It’s an in-depth look at a host of metrics from age and ethnicity to money spent and technology used on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).
This year, 764 thru-hikers completed the survey. That’s only about 9.5% of the 8,000 long-distance permits issued on average each year by the Pacific Crest Trail Association. So, while the survey is far from comprehensive, it’s nevertheless a decent sample size.
Let’s take a look.
The Cost of Adventure
On average, thru-hikers paid $1,708 for gear in 2024. That’s up from the early years of the survey by almost $500. Hikers spent an average of $10,149 on the trip last year, including the initial cost of gear.
The survey didn’t begin asking hikers about total trip cost until 2019. In that year, hikers spent an average of $6,561, or $38.68 a day, compared to $71 a day in 2024. So the cost has risen 55% in just 5 years.
Inflation (particularly with food) is certainly a factor here, as well as an increasing interest in ultralight backpacking, which tends to use gear made of high-end, expensive materials.
You might think that a higher percentage of first-time thru-hikers could be driving up these numbers. Novice thru-hikers need to spend more on gear, and might also be more likely to splurge on hostels and transportation. But as it turns out, it’s just the opposite.
In 2019, 67.6% of survey responders were on their first long-distance thru-hike. In 2024, that number had dropped to 50.2%.
Thru-hiking as a whole has become increasingly popular through books and films like Wild and A Walk in the Woods, and the Appalachian Trail, rather than the PCT, is generally seen as more beginner-friendly. Many thru-hikers tackle the Appalachian Trail first, then the PCT, and then the Continental Divide Trail.
Those trails have also seen large increases in reported costs. A 2024 survey of the Appalachian Trail by The Trek found that hikers spent $10,500 on average last year, an increase of $500 from 2023. As for the Continental Divide Trail, the average cost of the entire hike was about $8,900 in 2023, according to Halfway Nowhere. The 2024 survey of the CDT isn’t yet available.
Demographic Breakdown
Overall, 55% of the survey respondents were male, 40% were female, and 1% identified as nonbinary. Just under half of the thru-hikers were between the ages of 25 and 34, and almost 90% of them were white. None of that is surprising, given the general breakdown of outdoor sports.
One encouraging statistic is that the percentage of female thru-hikers rose 3.5% from last year. When the survey began in 2013, 35% of the hikers were female.
Most of the people who took the survey hail from western U.S. states, so it’s also not shocking that over 5.4% of them listed “software engineer” as their profession. And given that the PCT is a summer trail, it also tracks that educators were well-represented at 6.6% and students at 4%.
White-collar jobs like engineer, scientist, mechanical engineer, consultant, and IT professional also made the top ranks of professions for PCT thru-hikers. Seasonal workers made the top 10, but interestingly, they comprised only 3.5% of the hikers who completed the survey.
It also seems that educated people are far more likely to end up hiking the PCT, according to the survey. In fact, more than four out of five of the trail’s hikers have at least a bachelor’s degree, and many have advanced degrees.
The information about PCT hikers’ relationship status is also interesting. Nearly half, or 49%, of all hikers said they’re married or in a committed relationship. However, the vast majority of trekkers have no children (78.7%). Considering that the hike can take months — and most people aren’t interested in bringing kids on such a difficult expedition — that part isn’t too surprising.
Race & Nationality
As for race, the vast majority of PCT hikers identify as white (89.8%). Of the remaining hikers, 3.1% identified as two or more races, 2.7% were Asian, and 2.4% were Hispanic or Latino.
There’s actually a much more diverse mix when looking at the breakdown of nationality among PCT hikers. As it grows in popularity, the trail now entices people from across the world to spend several months on its steep inclines and gorgeous valleys.
A majority of hikers still hail from here in the United States (62.2%). But that means nearly two out of five PCT hikers are from other countries. According to the survey, the leading group of international hikers comes from Germany (6.6%). Other prominent countries on the PCT include Canada (6.1%), the United Kingdom (5.6%), and Australia (3.3%).
Apps and Maps
Gone are the days when long-distance hiking meant a break from modern technology. In 2024, 99% of the surveyed thru-hikers used some type of phone app, generally for navigation.
FarOut Guides (formerly GutHook) were by far the most popular, with 96% of hikers choosing it for its ability to identify your exact distance from any given point on the trail. FarOut also includes real-time, crowdsourced information on important things like water levels at river crossings.
Hikers also used apps that provided more detailed topographical information, like GIA GPS (33.9%) and CalTopo (12.3%). Note that the use of one app doesn’t preclude the use of another.
You can find the complete 2024 Pacific Crest Trail Hiker Survey here. It’s worth spending a few hours digging into — especially if your sights are set on a 2025 permit.
10 Ways to Cut Costs on the PCT
The reality of thru-hiking is that we can’t plan for everything. A sudden injury may derail plans and result in expensive medical fees and costly logistical changes to your schedule. Perhaps a natural disaster arrives, reminding you that Mother Nature doesn’t care too much about our bucket lists or lifelong dreams of finishing the PCT.
No matter what the exigency, long-distance hiking is simply unpredictable — that’s part of what makes it such a welcome departure from our quotidian lives in human civilization.
That being said, when it comes to thru-hiking on a budget, there are plenty of options for cutting costs. Let’s look at a few of them.
Buy Used Gear
Outdoor gear is expensive these days, no doubt about it. But given that John Muir criss-crossed the United States long before REI (or anything like it) even existed, there are clearly many alternatives to buying brand-new gear from Arc’teryx and The North Face.
If you’re not already hip to the Re/Supply section of REI, that’s a great place to start. That’s where you’ll find all the gear returned by REI customers, often in tip-top shape, but with a single blemish or minor cosmetic issue that results in a huge discount. But that’s far from the only option.
For the absolute cheapest apparel and packs, it’s nearly impossible to beat the prices at thrift stores like Goodwill. You might have to search around, but you can often find top-notch brands that are still in good condition.
If you’d prefer to shop online, take a look at sites like GearTrade, a marketplace of outdoor gear where you can find loads of killer deals on apparel and packs that can go the distance.
But the ultimate deal is likely to buy used gear directly from other people. Check out Facebook for local hiking groups or other outdoor-oriented pages. You’ll likely find hikers selling gear they don’t need, or just make a post yourself asking if anyone is willing to help you locate something specific.
You might have to spend some time searching for the right piece of gear at the right price, but you’ll save plenty of bucks in the long run. In general, there are many ways to leverage local communities to help you get to where you want to go.
Mail Resupply Boxes
A classic thru-hiking strategy involves sending resupply boxes to remote towns along the thru-hike, whether it’s the PCT, Appalachian Trail, or Continental Divide Trail.
This is significant because many of the small towns along thru-hiking routes sell the same goods at higher prices. So if you’re thinking about just resupplying as you go, you’ll definitely end up spending more money.
Instead, many hikers opt for finding the best deals on foodstuffs before even starting their journey. Then they pack them out and mail them to the small towns they’ll pass through during their months on the trail. Of course, that also requires making a detailed itinerary so that it’s clear when and where the resupply needs to happen.
Limit Town Stops
Once you’re in town, however, beware. The trappings of human civilization often become far more attractive after long weeks on the trail, eating rehydrated food and talking to yourself for hours on end.
It’s very tempting to splurge on a hot, delicious meal at a restaurant, get a good night’s rest on a hotel bed, or maybe even catch a movie at the theater. And of course, there’s nothing wrong with doing any or all of that — except that it costs you money. And once again, all of these activities will likely cost more in a small Oregon town on the PCT than in any major American city.
“Treating yourself,” as the adage goes, is often healthy. It might even be necessary to restore your mental and physical energy for the next leg of your hike. But it costs money, so consider how much you’re willing to spend on those activities when planning your trip.
Choose Budget Lodging
Few of us, however, have the ability to go completely cold turkey on the comforts of modern life. More importantly, it’s often very helpful to spend at least a few nights of a thru-hike’s months-long quest in a soft bed. Our bodies need time to recover from the immense effort required to walk thousands of miles through the mountains.
So, paying for lodging along the route will almost certainly be part of the financial equation — but that doesn’t mean you have to stay in the Hilton.
In fact, thru-hiking engenders a different attitude toward comfort than we find at home. If you’ve ever spent multiple days on the trail, then you already know that the standards for an acceptable hotel room can change rather rapidly.
While you might demand a Holiday Inn while on vacation with your family, that’s hardly necessary for most thru-hikers. Most of the time, opting for real lodging simply means finding a bed to collapse into, and then staying there as long as possible to recover energy and give those tired muscles a break.
By opting for a simple bed in a hostel dormitory, for example, you can save tons of money — while still getting the quality rest you need to continue on your way.
Cook Your Own Meals
Let’s be real: Most thru-hikers don’t spend 3 months eating the carefully curated dehydrated meals sold by REI and other outdoor retailers. There’s no doubting the convenience (and often the delicious flavor) of these meals, but the cost is also very real.
A single dehydrated meal, usually in the form of a pouch that you fill with boiling water, usually costs around $10. Even with discounts, the price tag on eating all your meals this way will climb quickly. (Bowl & Kettle’s $16 backpacking meals, while absolutely delicious, are a perfect example.)
But there’s an easy alternative that’s long served as the better method for experienced hikers: Cooking your own meals.
For example, it’s not actually that complicated to dehydrate food in the comfort of your own home. Many of the smaller backpacking food brands started after the brand’s founders figured out how to make tasty meals for their own outdoor adventures. If that sounds daunting, there are plenty of YouTube videos and other tutorials out there to help you figure it out.
Don’t like the idea of cooking at all? No problem. There’s no need to be a foodie who demands Crawfish Étouffée even while roughing it in the Great Outdoors. And once your body becomes desperate to consume every calorie possible, you’ll likely find that your standards change rather quickly.
Consider bringing along packages of ramen, instant potatoes, and (of course) peanut butter. These kinds of foodstuffs offer a density of nutrients but will cost far less than nearly any other option.
Hike With a Group
Completing an entire thru-hike by yourself will nearly always cost more than traveling in a group. Need some transportation for getting around a city or to the next section of trail? That’s often a big expense, but it’s halved immediately if you’ve got a partner with you. Same goes for hotel rooms, where you can share the bed and/or couch — along with the ever-increasing costs of the room itself.
It’s also true for food. Over the months usually required to finish the PCT, you’ll likely save considerable bucks if you’ve got a partner to share the physical and financial burden of keeping you fed. This allows hikers to buy specific foodstuffs in larger quantities, thereby further lowering the price tag for everyone involved.
Use Public Transport
Many people in the United States will avoid public transportation at all costs. That’s sometimes understandable, given the country’s general lack of investment in any form of transportation that’s not driving ourselves around in vehicles.
But when you need a ride in the middle of nowhere, the price of personal transportation, like an Uber, taxi, or shuttle, is often exorbitant. It’s then that the benefit of public transportation becomes clear.
If a public bus is available, it will always offer the cheapest method for getting where you need to go. It’s certainly cheaper than an Uber, which may cost $50 or more for a ride of 20 minutes or less.
Another option involves the kindness of strangers: hitchhiking. That’s more contextual, of course, as many solo female hikers will justifiably balk at the danger of hitchhiking. But it’s often a great way to get where you’re going for free, while meeting new people along the way.
It doesn’t have to be walking along the road with your thumb out, either. Instead, consider finding a local in town and asking if they can give you a ride. You’ll likely be surprised at how quickly people will help: You just need to ask.
Avoid Frequent Gear Upgrades
The massive effort required to finish a long trail like the PCT places a much higher level of wear and tear on gear.
While the tent and backpack you have now may work great on a weekend trip, that same gear could easily fall apart after several weeks of constant use on the trail. If that happens, you’ll end up having to suddenly replace some of your most expensive equipment in the middle of the endeavor.
And once again, small town gear shops will have what you need — but at a much higher price than if you’d bought durable gear (preferably on sale) before embarking on your journey.
So you’ll want to make sure the gear you already have will go the distance. How do you figure that out? Well, the best option is simply testing. Try to find time for a few shorter backpacking trips to thoroughly test out your current gear before hitting the long trail.
This will also help you dial in your daily routine, while making it clear what you actually need while humping it through the wilderness.
Seek Sponsorship or Discounts
In general, there’s a lot of support out there for thru-hikers. Many towns rely on the tourism dollars spent by hikers passing through. Similarly, many outdoor brands know that it’s the culture of thru-hikers on trails like the PCT that keep interest alive and convinces new people to give hiking a try.
So keep your eyes open for discounts specific to thru-hikers, or even sponsorship deals from brands willing to help out if you use their gear on the months-long quest along the PCT.
For example, Trek for Trevor, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting safe hiking through preparation and education, offers discounts on snow and ice gear like microspikes, crampons, and ice axes. Many hikers will often neglect some of this gear, as it’s costly and heavy. But they can also be “critical to the safety of hikers,” said Doug Laher, co-founder and executive director of Trek for Trevor.
Track Spending
While most Americans understand that it’s a good idea to be fastidious with finances — that doesn’t mean we actually do it. After all, we can’t all be as fastidious as Parks & Recreation‘s Leslie Knope. Thankfully, we now have technology to help us out.
You can find many options out there for tracking expenses in real time. An old-school approach could just be using a notebook to write down the trip expenses, and trying to find patterns and adjust habits to save money.
For the new-school, however, it’s likely easier to use a budgeting app. These apps, usually available on both smartphones and computers, will allow you to simply input your bank account or other financial platforms. You can also receive detailed reports that organize all that information into something that shows a clearer picture of how you’re spending dollars — and what you could do to save more of them. Copilot, YNAB, and Monarch are all popular options.
Join the Online Community
This might seem obvious to many people, but there’s a rich online community of hikers and outdoorsy people constantly discussing ways to hike the PCT as cheaply as possible.
Reddit has emerged as an excellent platform for finding and connecting with other people. You’ll find lots of personal stories and discussions, like How much did you save up for the PCT? or Seeking Advice! Thru hiking the PCT on a limited budget. You’ll want to be careful with the information that you find on these message boards, as not all of it is trustworthy. But you can still find plenty of helpful info for developing your own game plan.
For another option, check out Facebook hiking groups in your local community. Try to connect with people nearby who may have experience with the PCT or other thru-hikes. The information you glean from those conversations could end up being more valuable than anything else.
Other Questions
Are you feeling motivated to tackle this massive trail? But let me guess: You still have questions. Let’s try to answer a few of the most common queries from those considering a thru-hike for the first time, with a focus on the PCT.
How do I take off time for the PCT?
Given that the PCT generally takes around 5 months to complete, it’s not surprising that a large number of people have to quit their jobs to pull it off. In fact, 38.6% of the respondents in the 2024 survey said they quit their jobs to pursue their dreams of finishing the PCT.
The remainder of the respondents had a wide variety of answers to how they were able to make enough time for the thru-hike. Some said they had flexible work conditions (9.7%), while others used paid time off (12.3%) or took a sabbatical (7.6%).
There’s no doubt that pursuing a thru-hike like the PCT poses a huge logistical challenge. Getting engaged with the hiking community, online or in person, can help you figure out how to make it happen.
How hard is the PCT?
It’s difficult to give an exact answer about the difficulty of the PCT. First off, it’s safe to say that long-distance hiking is not for everyone, and it’s impossible to know what your limits are until you reach them.
In general, though, many hikers say that the Appalachian Trail (AT) is more physically challenging than the PCT, which usually has a more gentle tread and inclines. The PCT is about 500 miles longer than the 2,186-mile AT. However, the Appalachian Trail actually has way more elevation gain (515,000 feet) compared to the PCT (315,000 feet).
On the other hand, the PCT requires hikers to carry more water and walk greater daily distances to reach areas for resupply.
But in general, yes, it’s pretty hard. In fact, the Pacific Crest Trail Association estimates that 700 to 800 people attempt to thru-hike it each year. But only about 15% to 35% actually succeed. About 25% of hikers finish the AT, by comparison.
How fit do I need to be to hike the PCT?
Many people are curious to know if they have the physical fitness to tackle the PCT. The truth is: Almost no one has the requisite fitness when starting out. Unless you’re working an outdoor job that requires long days of walking, you’re probably not able to practice week-long hikes.
So in general, it’s not necessary to be an elite athlete before hitting the trail. However, you should be in reasonably good shape and capable of sustained physical activity.
If you’re concerned about this, you probably just need to do some test hikes nearby, and get a better understanding of where you need to improve. Many hikers will say that a strong mental attitude beats a high level of physical fitness.
Where does the PCT trail start and end?
The PCT crosses the United States between Mexico and Canada. At the Mexico border, it starts at Campo, Calif., and meanders north for over 2,000 miles until ending at the Canadian border at Manning Provincial Park in British Columbia. Hikers can start at either the northern or southern end of the trail.
When is the best time to start the Pacific Crest Trail?
According to the Pacific Crest Trail Association, the majority of northbound hikers start the PCT in mid-April through early May. For southbounders, it’s usually a good idea to start in late June to early July.
Starting early is important because the weather can change quickly, making an already hard trail even more difficult. Southern California can see dangerous sections, as snow can blanket the trail within the first 200 miles of the Mexico border. On the other end, Washington state’s snow slopes can quickly turn a steep trail into technical mountaineering, even in early July.
Are there grizzly bears on the PCT?
The PCT does not have grizzly bear populations. The northern Continental Divide Trail (CDT) remains the only stretch of the Triple Crown (including the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide trails) that has active grizzly populations.
Black bears are common on all three trails, including the PCT. However, the bears are usually not considered aggressive or dangerous to humans.
