HEY KYU They didn’t actually finish it entirely because they felt that they should do what they could as a family and rainier wasn’t aloud to do the very last part,
@@ludditeluddite2881 Only the gear they replaced on the trail, though it seems like they had most of the gear from other trips before hand. Though a reasonable ballpark on gear would be ~$6-10K for 2 adults and 6 kids. You could get cheaper or a lot more expensive, but that would likely be a reasonable range. Which is ~150 for a pack, $250 for a bag, $50 for a pad, $300 for a tent (which is every other person so $150 each), $100 for boots, $50 for poles, and $50 for others, much of which is shared gear, cook gear, filters, ect. That somes out to about $6K, and for $10K, you have another $450 per person.
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!
Steve Hornberger hey man, similar situation, had been working since I was 17 and did the trail when I was 31. You’ll love it. Good luck and make sure to check out the AT Reddit for more conversations about the trail.
I might see you on the trail next year then!! I’m also about to die of excitement... I’m 20, been saving up to do it because my dad missed his chance to do it and inspired me to do it while I’m still young and not in college or anything yet haha. See you out there next year!
Aubrey Hannig sounds awesome! I’m on the edge of my seat almost every day for March to be here. It feels like it’s taking forever! Good luck on your journey.
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
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 UA-cam for new vlogs from you? If it is, I need help!😂
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.
I have UA-cam premium so I won't have to watch those and creators get bigger cut than with ads :) It's just a problem with current internet economy that people expect to get things for "free". Free meaning almost everything you do in interenet is gathered and property of some company. Companies and people have to get compensation from somewhere if they put a lot of work in content or service. Problems with this is that it changes motivations and priorities of a business quite a bit. I mean, you are not one paying them. It's the ad companies. Quite easy to see effect it has.
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.
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!
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
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 ☮️☯️🕉
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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!!!
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!
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 :)
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. ❤️☮🌷🌺
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!
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.
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 👏🏻👍🏻❤️
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.
Had to stop the video @8:16. Hahahahaha! Love your sense of humor. "I'm sure you homeschooling mom's out there want to know how much to budget for cigars and how much trail magic can we count on." Yes!!! Haha!
@@JuliaSochnikova they are referring to how so many people gave stuff to them, including those cigars they are smoking, those free meals, that free chocolate and candy from strangers, those people are called "trail angels". Because the family hiking, they were a novelty and they were UA-camrs. Not everyone can expect that kind of generosity from strangers. They weren't smoking pot.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
25,000 for a life time experience and not to mention thats like near what you said... 6 months trip... so sounds like a fairly reasonable price to have spent for the whole family.
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.
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 :)
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...
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!
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 🌰🍓
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.
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!
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!
They're retired millionaires, debt free... and taking advantage of trail angels kindness(who are likely poorer in health and wealth than this family) and taking free food, free cigars, and begging for free Altra's. Shame on them!
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 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 👍👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
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.
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. 😂
Ben what would be more interesting is all the magic you received. Free berthing, meals, rides, hiking shoes, soda's, candy, etc. Oh and Ben, stop underestimating yourself, dude, you are such a math head, it's ridiculous. I love your algorithms and number crunching. Coffee Time!!!
Once again, food for thought and definitely a paradigm rocker. It really is about priorities and getting away from the mindset that you have to keep up with the Jones '. Thanks for not being typical Americans and for putting out there that you can live, play and learn in different ways.😀
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!!
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.
Love your transparency! I’d also love to hear more about not having health insurance. Do you just pay the tax penalty? No judgement- I think it sounds smart when you can budget for paying out of pocket instead if needed- just interested in hearing more about that.
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
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 greedy family! Pigs! They're rich and taking free food and support from poor simple kind people. While these pigs are millionaires and debt free and living an extraordinary life, they exploited the generosity of the kind trail angels who still have to go to work everyday, dont get to go on vacation with their children, barely even get to spend time with their kids, still owe mortgages on their homes, and probably are in poorer health than you all also. Please teach your kids to be generous and not jusy pigs and takers!
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.
It did not include all the gear purchased prior to the trip correct? Amazed by you guys! Just bumped into Gavin who provided you shelter near Sperryville, VA!
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
That’s an amazing number for 6 months of adventure for EIGHT people! The most salient point is there is the discrepancy between just regular living to adventuring
Can you talk a little bit about your experience renting your house as an AirBnB? What did you have to do to get ready? How much did you charge? We’re you worried about destruction of property? How much did you have to store? What did you leave out?
![Appalachian Trail: Child Protective Services [MESSAGE FROM THE KIDS]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tyKp1Gjia_M/mqdefault.jpg)
![Appalachian Trail: Child Protective Services [MESSAGE FROM THE KIDS]](/img/tr.png)
![FAMILY HIKES APPALACHIAN TRAIL [Full Documentary]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/JtickT2tCwo/mqdefault.jpg)
$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
HEY KYU
They didn’t actually finish it entirely because they felt that they should do what they could as a family and rainier wasn’t aloud to do the very last part,
HEY KYU what about the youngest male Rainey?
But still she basically finished so....
Corncob 26 if you watched their hour long entire vid it only said the youngest female, so there must’ve been a younger male... soooooo
I believe a 5 yr old boy thur hiked a few yrs ago
Well dang! $25,040.00 divided by eight people comes out to $3,130.00 per person. That's not so bad, actually.
Yeah, at least in the past the amount was to consider it to be $1 per mile.
Given that 161 days, it is also ~$19.50 per person per day.
Does any of this include the gear?!!
@@ludditeluddite2881 Only the gear they replaced on the trail, though it seems like they had most of the gear from other trips before hand. Though a reasonable ballpark on gear would be ~$6-10K for 2 adults and 6 kids. You could get cheaper or a lot more expensive, but that would likely be a reasonable range. Which is ~150 for a pack, $250 for a bag, $50 for a pad, $300 for a tent (which is every other person so $150 each), $100 for boots, $50 for poles, and $50 for others, much of which is shared gear, cook gear, filters, ect. That somes out to about $6K, and for $10K, you have another $450 per person.
Loathomar they also Airbnb their house
Hey honey because hiking the freaking Appalachian trail with 6 children including a toddler sounds a little easy let's throw a marathon in....
😂😂😂😂😂
Touché touché
To be fair all the kids agreed even though mom was reluctant
Those who can, do. Those who can't, -------------.
Your sarcasm is unnecessary. Jealous?
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!
Steve Hornberger hey man, similar situation, had been working since I was 17 and did the trail when I was 31. You’ll love it. Good luck and make sure to check out the AT Reddit for more conversations about the trail.
Thanks man. I’ll check it out.
I might see you on the trail next year then!! I’m also about to die of excitement... I’m 20, been saving up to do it because my dad missed his chance to do it and inspired me to do it while I’m still young and not in college or anything yet haha. See you out there next year!
Hey, Im 45 and my son and I start in March of 19 too, see you out in the forest!
Aubrey Hannig sounds awesome! I’m on the edge of my seat almost every day for March to be here. It feels like it’s taking forever! Good luck on your journey.
I wouldn't mind watching an ad to help a great family!
Same
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
So happy Altra came through for everyone and donated shoes.
I swear I thought they said "Oprah"..I've been thinking that until I saw your comment.
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 UA-cam for new vlogs from you? If it is, I need help!😂
"I believe you received so much more than you spent from your journey." totally agree. - Ben
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.
I have UA-cam premium so I won't have to watch those and creators get bigger cut than with ads :)
It's just a problem with current internet economy that people expect to get things for "free". Free meaning almost everything you do in interenet is gathered and property of some company. Companies and people have to get compensation from somewhere if they put a lot of work in content or service.
Problems with this is that it changes motivations and priorities of a business quite a bit. I mean, you are not one paying them. It's the ad companies.
Quite easy to see effect it has.
Agreed. But I'm dying to know where all their cash comes from and how they can BOTH escape their jobs for such a long time.
What you accomplished as a family is priceless. Thank you for sharing your story🌻🌻
Your children are so fortunate. Bless your hearts for giving them such wonderful gift. ❤️
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.
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!
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
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 ☮️☯️🕉
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.
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
I like this. Thanks for combing back through those bills & sharing so openly.
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
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.
Wow. What an awesome insight. A whole family on the trail? Biggest respect!
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.
Wow I’m so happy to find your channel! Your family is amazing! Great job patents! You two are inspirational!
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!!!
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 would LOVE to help out by watching ads. 30 seconds of my life to provide you guys with financial abundance? Totally worth it
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 :)
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. ❤️☮🌷🌺
The memories you made for your family are priceless.
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!
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.
This trip was obviously a huge bonding experience and that alone must have been worth it.
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 👏🏻👍🏻❤️
I was glued to your YT video. What a incredible journey. Your family is amazing and really inspired me.
Sounds like a pretty good deal with a family of your size. Great experience to share with memories for life.
Just subscribed.... the family is amazing and seem very comfortable together. Just saw the hike and was so impressed.
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.
Had to stop the video @8:16. Hahahahaha! Love your sense of humor. "I'm sure you homeschooling mom's out there want to know how much to budget for cigars and how much trail magic can we count on."
Yes!!! Haha!
I was waiting for the adult beverages costs. LOL
I feel like I get this joke but I still don't
@@hobojesus9817 , they are probably referring to pot
Oh god. I took this literally. I was like... what do I not know about homeschooling moms? hahahahah
@@JuliaSochnikova they are referring to how so many people gave stuff to them, including those cigars they are smoking, those free meals, that free chocolate and candy from strangers, those people are called "trail angels". Because the family hiking, they were a novelty and they were UA-camrs. Not everyone can expect that kind of generosity from strangers. They weren't smoking pot.
For 13K, 23 weeks of vacation is a bargain. Imagine a 8 day rafting trip on the Colorado River for 2.8k per person.
Definitely but this is something almost no family could make work.
You two are awesome! What a great experience as a family. You rock!
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.
Congratulations! You AND your kids will never forget this...even the little guy!
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!
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.
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.
Just saw your family on the news. I 100 per cent support you.
Lol, I absolutely love you guys giving your kids allowances while hiking the AT! 😘
This was a great video guys! Thanks for being so open regarding the finances for the trail. I found it very interesting!
just finished watching your documentary.. man you guys rock.. great job
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!
Thank you for your honesty & blessings for those who assisted you😍
25,000 for a life time experience and not to mention thats like near what you said... 6 months trip... so sounds like a fairly reasonable price to have spent for the whole family.
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.
I want to do that trail someday. -Kami
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 :)
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...
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!
GREAT share! I'm bringing 6k but fully intend to spend less than 4k! Love the cheers at the end!
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 🌰🍓
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.
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!
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!
They're retired millionaires, debt free... and taking advantage of trail angels kindness(who are likely poorer in health and wealth than this family) and taking free food, free cigars, and begging for free Altra's. Shame on them!
You are Pioneers of Independent Kids. Free Ranging Thinkers is our future.
Probably the best investment you could ever make for family, time and shared experiences
you guys are such an inspiration.
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 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 👍👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
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.
You're an amazing family! Thanks for sharing your journey.
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. 😂
that's awesome!! i am happy for you guys. flawless experience!!! cant ask for anything better
Ben what would be more interesting is all the magic you received. Free berthing, meals, rides, hiking shoes, soda's, candy, etc. Oh and Ben, stop underestimating yourself, dude, you are such a math head, it's ridiculous. I love your algorithms and number crunching. Coffee Time!!!
Once again, food for thought and definitely a paradigm rocker. It really is about priorities and getting away from the mindset that you have to keep up with the Jones '. Thanks for not being typical Americans and for putting out there that you can live, play and learn in different ways.😀
Laurie - I’m not being snarky at all. I’m genuinely curious. Please define the typical American presumption.
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!
Money well spent!! Congratulations on this incredible achievement. Best family vacation I have ever seen.
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 helpful information as, I consider my budget for next year. Thank you so much for sharing.
I wish I would have found your site earlier!!! Thanks for this awesome video!
I'm late on seeing these videos but yall have inspired me so much!!! I absolutely love this family ❤❤
An ad popped up about a minute after he mentioned no ads
You guys have inspired me! I cried happy tears.❤
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.
y'all seeing incredibles 2 is so worth it
Love your transparency! I’d also love to hear more about not having health insurance. Do you just pay the tax penalty? No judgement- I think it sounds smart when you can budget for paying out of pocket instead if needed- just interested in hearing more about that.
Barbara Demske I’m interested in hearing how the no health insurance for the family works too.
Its called Medicaid...just a thought
Trump got rid of the penalty his first year.
My heart goes out to your family that were unfortunately sucked into your vanity project
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
That's crazy!!! Its so awesome that you guys have no debt!!! I would agree that it was all $$$ well spent!
Subscribed! I loved everything from this video. From just the numbers, to the values/ideas that were shared. Thank you
Thanks for sharing! Very interesting and informative.
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!!!
You all got a ton of help from trail angels.
I wonder if the people that donated all that effort and food for them knew he was a millionaire and could afford to feed all of them on his own.
Very greedy family! Pigs! They're rich and taking free food and support from poor simple kind people. While these pigs are millionaires and debt free and living an extraordinary life, they exploited the generosity of the kind trail angels who still have to go to work everyday, dont get to go on vacation with their children, barely even get to spend time with their kids,
still owe mortgages on their homes, and probably are in poorer health than you all also. Please teach your kids to be generous and not jusy pigs and takers!
Great choice opt out for ad revenue! Thank youuu! And you should do another calculation on what it cost for 5 months @ home
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.
It did not include all the gear purchased prior to the trip correct? Amazed by you guys! Just bumped into Gavin who provided you shelter near Sperryville, VA!
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
That’s an amazing number for 6 months of adventure for EIGHT people! The most salient point is there is the discrepancy between just regular living to adventuring
You guys are amazing 🙌
Can you talk a little bit about your experience renting your house as an AirBnB? What did you have to do to get ready? How much did you charge? We’re you worried about destruction of property? How much did you have to store? What did you leave out?
16:20 You hit the nail on the head! You saved money by doing it compared to being back home.
Thanks for sharing this piece of info.