Have you got the thru-hiking bug? You might be at a stage in your life where the only place that makes sense is the trail. There is a sense of freedom and simplicity that comes with spending long periods of time on the trail, away from the typical daily grind. A question that normally gets asked is “how can I sustain a life on the trail?”
Holding a career in finance or as a surgeon might not be the right choice for you right now. So if you’re seeking ways to keep the thru-hike fund topped up, here’s a list of ideas to resupply your thru-hiking lifestyle.
- Seasonal Work: A lot of thru-hikers work jobs that are seasonal by nature. This could be working in ski resorts during the winter or hospitality jobs in vacation destinations during the summer. The advantage of this is the ability to save up and then take time off during the hiking season.
- Freelance Writing/Photography: If you’re passionate about the outdoors and have a knack for storytelling, freelance writing or photography could be a good fit. You could write articles or take photos for outdoor magazines, blogs, or websites. Your first-hand experience as a thru-hiker can provide a unique perspective. Job websites like upwork, fiverr and jooble.org can help you become discovered by people looking for content creators.
- Outdoor Guide: Leverage your extensive hiking experience to become an outdoor guide. This could involve leading day hikes, backpacking trips, or other outdoor adventures. Some companies even offer international opportunities.
- Trail Maintenance: Trail organisations are the reason we thru-hike in the first place! Why not contribute back to the trails that have provided so much! There are trail organisations for most trails in the US. Check out https://www.americantrails.org/ for resources on how to find a job in trail maintenance.
- Blogging/Vlogging: Document your thru-hiking experiences and share them with the world. Successful bloggers or vloggers can make income through advertising, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.
- Teaching or Tutoring Online: If you have expertise in a particular subject, consider online tutoring. Many platforms allow you to set your schedule, giving you flexibility.
- Working at an Outfitter: Outdoor retail stores often need knowledgeable staff to sell gear and give advice to customers. This can also come with the perk of discounted hiking gear!
- Online Fitness Coach: As a thru-hiker, you’re in great shape and have a unique understanding of fitness in the context of long-distance hiking. Online fitness coaching can be done from anywhere and at any time, fitting around your hiking schedule.
- Remote Customer Service: Many companies hire remote customer service representatives, which is a job that can be done from anywhere as long as you have a phone and internet connection.
- Remote Tech Jobs: If you have skills in areas like programming, graphic design, or digital marketing, you could work remotely while hiking.
Thankfully, working remotely has become the norm in most job roles. Many companies are far more accepting of people’s desires to work in much more remote places. Just make sure you have a stable internet connection!
If you can’t live without adventure and want to make it part of your everyday life, discover jobs that involve travel.
