HikeArizona.COM

OK. Here is a topic to ponder: Cost Sharing.

We'd like to know what's your "arrangement" for traveling with your hiking pards. How do you split the gas and expenses?

Lately, bless their hearts, my pards have adamently REFUSED to take any money from me for gas expenses. Why? I don't know.

Anyway, there is some "etiquette" involved in the righteous and proper way to pay for your fair share of a hiking trip's expenses.

This oughta become an interesting topic--provided you "old hands" contribute your own experiences. Yeah! That's what makes HAZ Great!

j

I don't think there's any "proper etiquette" except to offer to chip in for gas, especially with the price of gas these days. It depends on the situation, how far the drive is and all that.

Most of the people I've hiked with have accepted it and when they don't, I usually pay for their meal post-hike (since we always like to eat well afterward!).

If they totally refuse either of the above you can always get them a gift certificate to REI for the amount you would have contributed for gas. They won't refuse that!

:mrgreen:

Hey, Trishness, THANKS for posting up on this topic--your insight hit me well, like a GIFT CERTIFICATE! Great idea, perfect concept. Betcha it works every time. Afterfall, when they receive it in the mail, what can they do? Tear it up? Not likely. COOL IDEA! Thanks! j

In response to montezumawell's reply:
Everyone I have hiked with and still hike with chips in for gas. As I do when someone else drives. A good rule of thumb is 0.10 a mile. Given the price of gas today and the cost of operating a SUV makes this a fair price.

At first I felt uncomfortable taking money but then one also has to keep in mind without that ride the other person may not be able to go to the trail and if they would drive solo it would cost a lot more.

My regular hiking partners and I just switch off driving from trip to trip. If one of us ends up driving more often for some reason the others will usually spring for the post hike meal.

Trish I love your idea for the gift certificate. That is great.

Well, there IS a way to "deal" with this issue. It's already been "figured out." Check it out:

http://www.azoutdoortravelclub.com/carpool.htm

These people have the "cost share" equation down to a Type A Science. It's marvelous. Effective. Functional. Real World. DYNAMITE!

We'd like to thank a HAZ member for discussing this topic via PM's so we wouldn't clog up the topic itself with various off-topic notes. This is the way HAZ functions best. Way cool.

Anyway, now that we have the state-of-the-art example of how to deal with this issue, the question turns to how people "translate" this paradigm into their own personal terms. Matt offered a fine alternative.

What's yours?

j

Yes, Matts idea is a great one for the steady hiking partners when you can take turns driving regularly. I have done that in the past and it works out great. With all others I never had a situation where I needed to ask.

In response to montezumawell's reply:

The easiest no-hassle way to share costs is to hike with your spouse .

However, in order to do this more than once, make sure her sleeping bag is at least 10 degrees warmer than yours and bring lots of hot chocolate and a few chemical handwarmers.