Seasonal Work Funds Global Backpacking
Two adventurers are using just three months of seasonal work each year to fund backpacking trips to every continent. Their approach highlights flexibility, budgeting, and intentional lifestyle design for extended travel without breaking the bank. The story includes practical tips for others considering a similar path to fund wanderlust.
The adventurers, Colleen Wilson and Lane Early, have been funding their travels for the past four years by taking on seasonal jobs in remote locations, including Alaska and Antarctica. They have also worked as caretakers at the Blackburn Trail Center on the Appalachian Trail and the Granite Park Chalet in Glacier National Park. Their minimalist lifestyle on the road has allowed them to live largely rent-free and without a car for nearly six years. For their 40th birthdays in 2026, Colleen and Lane are embarking on their most ambitious journey yet: hiking approximately 2,500 miles across all seven continents. They are funding this entire year of global travel using only the money earned from a single three-month work season in Antarctica. Their planned itinerary includes a series of challenging long-distance hikes. They will start with the Hayduke Trail in the United States, followed by the Naukluft Hiking Trail in Namibia, the Pyrenees High Route in Europe, and a traverse of the Japanese Alps. Their journey will also take them to Australia for the Bibbulmun Track. The costs for these thru-hikes can vary significantly. For example, a 5-day hut-to-hut trek in the Japanese Alps can cost around $170 per person per day. The multi-day Naukluft Hiking Trail in Namibia has daily park entrance fees of about $5.50 USD for foreign adults, with additional costs for camping or staying in shelters. A full thru-hike of the Pyrenees High Route can take 45 days and cost around 330 Euros, with additional travel expenses to and from the trailheads. Seasonal work in remote, specialized locations can be quite lucrative. While Colleen and Lane have not disclosed their exact earnings, some skilled professionals working for the Australian Antarctic Program can earn over $100,000 per year, with many expenses like food and lodging covered. This high earning potential in a short period is the cornerstone of their ability to fund a full year of international travel and hiking. Their approach to funding their travels highlights a growing trend of "lifestyle design," where individuals prioritize experiences over traditional career paths and material possessions. By strategically choosing seasonal work with high pay and low living costs, they are able to save substantial amounts of money in short bursts. This allows them the freedom to pursue their passion for long-distance hiking for the remainder of the year.
